New Student Orientation

All new incoming students, coming directly from high school, took time in between high school, and/or completed less than 12 college credits, will have a New Student Orientation (NS) hold placed on their account once they are admitted to Washburn University.

First-year students are required to participate in New Student Orientation and the hold helps us track new first-year university students. Once a student checks in at New Student Orientation, the NS hold will end before they enroll in classes.

All students admitted to Washburn for the upcoming fall, spring or summer terms are welcome to pariticpate in New Student Orientation. Parent(s), guardian(s), family and supporters are encouraged to come to orientation with you.

All new students coming to Washburn directly from high school, took time in between high school, and/or completed less than 12 college credits, are required to attend a New Student Orientation session.

We strongly encourage you to attend our New Student Orientation sessions for transfer and returning students. For spring transfers and returning students, we host orientation in the fall. For summer or fall transfers and returning students, we host orientation in late spring and summer. If you are unable to attend one of these sessions, please join us at any of the summer New Student Orientation sessions.

Yes, all students are expected to participate in the entire event in order to register for classes. Orientation is more than enrolling for classes. We want to set you up for success in your academic experience.

Each summer orientation session is a half-day event, either from 8:00 am-12:00 pm or 1:00-5:00 pm. We don't offer both morning and afternoon each day. The date and times listed on the website are what is being offered.

No, there is no fee to attend orientation. We ask students to register at least one week in advance, to order enough food and prepare materials for each student. We do provide free parking, snacks and refreshments. There is also a place on-campus with a coffee shop, food or beverages for purchase.

You can register online, email orientation@washburn.edu or call 785.670.1834.

For our summer orientations in May-August 2026 on the University campus, the morning session check-in begins at 8:00 am in Memorial Union*. The event program will start at 8:40 am.

Our afternoon session check-in begins at 1:00 pm in Memorial Union*. The event program will start at 1:40 pm.

*For any students starting in spring or summer, double check the location of your orientation. It may start in a different building such as Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center (BTAC).

Washburn offers free parking to visitors, students, faculty and staff. Use our campus map as a guide. Visiting students and families should park in Lot 10 or 11 and enter the doors closest to Mulvane Art Museum. Look for the tall blue "WELCOME" flags. We'll start in Memorial Union, 1820 SW Jewell Avenue, Topeka, KS 66621.

Maps and Directions

All orientation sessions are half-day programs and do not require an overnight stay. If you are traveling from farther away and need to stay overnight, we have a couple hotels in Topeka with Washburn discounts for visitors.

Visit Topeka & Hotel Accommodations

Activate your Washburn account (Single sign-on)

To use all of Washburn's online tools and technology, you must first activate your Washburn student account. Washburn uses one login and password for our online tools and technology.

• Washburn account and password (website)
• Reset your password (website)

Need further support? Contact our ITS Department at 785.670.3000 or at support@washburn.edu.

Desire2Learn (D2L)

Desire2Learn or D2L is our online platform for learning and teaching. You will interact with each of your instructors for classes through D2L, for both in-person and online courses. For each class, you can find your syllabus, upload assignments, view class progress and grades, and find lectures, rubrics, discussion boards or quizzes.

• How to access your Desire2Learn account (website)
• Brightspace Pulse app: Get D2L reminders for class assignments and important academic dates

MyWashburn

MyWashburn is our student portal where you can search and enroll for classes, complete a housing application, pay your student bill, review your financial aid award, apply for student jobs and search for textbooks.

• MyWashburn support & troubleshooting (website)
• How to register for courses in MyWashburn (PDF guide)

Navigate Student

Navigate is a tool that Washburn University uses for academic planning, scheduling appointments with advisors, Financial Aid or Accessibility Services, finding study buddies, and enroll for classes.

• Navigate tools and guides
• Desktop version

Download Navigate Student app

• Apple Store
• Google Play

Washburn Email

Washburn University is a Microsoft Office 365 school. Office 365 programs are free for faculty, staff, and students and can be installed on up to five devices. Washburn email accounts are used in Microsoft Outlook.

• Getting started with Office 365 (website)