First semester freshmen (FSF) are a specific group at risk for developing deleterious wellness outcomes including physical, mental, emotional, and social health as well as corresponding poor health behaviors. This is particularly concerning within the COVID-19 pandemic, which exerted formidable pressures on beginning, continuing, and completing educational pursuits. The current study examined differences before, during, and after COVID-19 pandemic restrictions among FSF in demographics, health behavior, and health (i.e., physical, mental, emotional, social) as well as comparisons to students who are beyond their first semester or non-first semester freshmen (NFSF) during the same time period. University students (n = 2,500) from a large Intermountain West university participated by completing an online self-report questionnaire as part of a multiple cross-sectional research design spanning the years 2018–2023 in 3 time periods (Pre-COVID, COVID, Post-COVID). Results showed that FSF have returned to prepandemic levels for many metrics, but remain in poorer health conditions, generally, compared to NFSF at postpandemic. For example, FSF reported more physical health symptoms and consistently used social media more than NFSF across all 3 time points. These group differences suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic might have impacted FSF more strongly than NFSF and highlight this population as vulnerable to dramatic social changes that might have implications for college enrollment and retention. Recommendations to aid FSF are given, including proactive supportive practices that universities can implement before another pandemic arises.