What to expect at UNC's first-year new student orientation

 

Your academic advising appointment 

1. What is it?

Your orientation group will meet with faculty members from UNC’s Academic Advising Program. They’ll give you the rundown on the undergraduate curriculum, explain how gen-eds (general education classes/requirements) work and help you get a head-start on choosing classes for registration. You are not required to declare a major while you’re there — nothing really "final" happens at this session. You are going to just have a LOT of info thrown at you (but don’t worry, we’ll have a recap for you after orientation 😉)

2. Do you need to bring anything to the appointment?

• Your smiling face :-)
• A laptop may be helpful
• MAKE SURE you’ve completed your online academic advising model, which will unlock the Get Ready to Register form, both of which need to be completed 24 hours before orientation!
• Your language placement test score
• Any AP or IB test scores (if you’re still waiting on scores, you can send them in later!)
• SAT and ACT scores
• College credits completed in high school, if any
• SAT Subject Test scores, if any (often used for MATH 110 placement)

Spending the night in the dorm 

1. Where are you staying, when do you check in, when do you check out?

• You’ll be staying in Cobb Residence Hall, which sits between Jackson Hall (the undergraduate admissions office) and the Center for Dramatic Art. 
• You need to check into Cobb Residence Hall between 8:15 and 9:45 a.m., and then head over to the West Lounge in the Student Union before 10 a.m. to check into orientation itself and get your materials. 
• You’ll need to check out of Cobb Residence Hall between 7 and 8:30 a.m. on the second day of orientation. If you don’t, you’re subject to a late check out fee. Once you check out, you’ll be shown where to put your luggage for the rest of the day. 

2. What should you bring? 

• Cobb is a hall-style dorm, so shower shoes are recommended. Beyond this, bring comfortable clothes with breathable fabrics. You’ll be walking around to different areas of campus, and it will likely be hot. Wearing comfortable shoes and light clothing will help you feel better throughout the day. 
• You'll get a super cool drawstring bag to keep your orientation materials in, but if you think you'll want something a bit bigger or more sturdy to hold all the papers, water bottles and Frisbees you collect throughout the day, consider bringing a backpack.
• Something to take notes with that is easy to carry around. For many of the sessions, you’ll want to make sure you’re remembering the information given to you (like how to navigate ConnectCarolina and class registration!) 

3. Other tips 

• Though Cobb is right beside a parking deck, that’s not where you’ll be parking. Instead, you’ll be taking your orientation parking pass to the S11 Manning Parking Lot, located on the corner of Skipper Bowles and Manning Drive, near the Smith Center. Disability parking is off of Raleigh Road, right behind Davis Library. Your parking pass should have come with your confirmation email when you scheduled your orientation date. 
• There will be shuttles to take you from the S11 Manning Parking Lot to Cobb from 7:45 a.m. until 11 a.m. on the first day of orientation, and you’ll need to carry all of your overnight belongings with you on the shuttle to the dorm. 
• You’ll check out of Cobb first thing in the morning, but prepare to be at orientation until 4 p.m. on day two of orientation, with an optional campus tour taking place after that. 

Getting all the information you need 

Pay special attention to:

1. Registration: We’ll be here down the line to give you tips on navigating registration like a pro, but tuning into the crash course at orientation will be helpful. Be sure to listen (and take notes!) during the lecture so that clearing up misunderstandings on dropping, swapping and adding classes comes easier as your registration appointment approaches. 

2. Professor’s Perspective: What’s expected of you in class will vary from professor to professor. Oftentimes, first-years bite off more than they can chew when it comes to their course load. Listening to what a professor expects of you during this lecture will help you gauge if you should avoid 18 hours of class in your first semester, or if you should attack it at full speed.  

What you'll hear again:

1. Organizations/service at Carolina: Learning about some of the service opportunities and organizations at Carolina can make you excited about starting your first year, and that’s awesome! But if you’re in information overload, don’t sweat retaining all that information — there will be plenty of opportunities to learn more about the extracurriculars that Carolina has to offer. During your first week of school, lots of organizations will have events both before and after classes start, as well as FallFest, which happens annually. 

What you’re getting this weekend 

1. UNC ONE Card

• This is your ID for the University community. With it, you can get into campus gyms, dining halls and other facilities. It also allows you access to things like checking out books, campus events and laundry. 
• Getting a One Card is mandatory. 
• Don't fret, no one's picture is good! 

2. Laptop

• If you’ve chosen to buy a laptop through CCI, you’ll be picking it up this weekend. By buying with CCI, you’ll be getting your laptop with a warranty, accidental damage and insurance coverage that has options for repair through the University. 
• If you chose not to buy a laptop with CCI, don’t sweat it. Buying a CCI laptop isn’t mandatory. Buying a laptop elsewhere just means that you aren’t covered under certain repairs that you can acquire at the University. 

3. Meal plan (optional)

• During your meals at orientation, you’ll most likely be asked if you want to go ahead and sign up for a meal plan. But with all the other information you’re getting, the decision can be made more difficult. 
• For a more in-depth breakdown of which meal plan would work best for you, check out this story here!