The Daily Tar Heel

Serving the students and the University community since 1893

Tuesday May 30th

Welcome to UNC

The Daily Tar Heel has compiled all the information a UNC incoming student needs to know before stepping on campus this fall. This guide covers everything from course registration and student resources to weekend activities, all things sports and a UNC/Chapel Hill history lesson.



UNC senior human development and family studies major, Kayla Dang, opens a box of free stuff that she won at a UNC event. Photo courtesy of Kayla Dang.

How to get free stuff on campus

UNC has a variety of organizations that host events throughout the year where students can snag free things — including swag, food and health products. But knowing how and where to find these events can get a little tricky. Here’s a first-year’s guide to finding free stuff on campus. 

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Kim Abels, director of the UNC Writing and Learning Center, poses outside of the Student and Academic Services Building on June 8, 2021.

Student resources available to all UNC students

Incoming first-years are encouraged to take advantage of as many of the services the University provides since they are free and easily accessible. "The graduating seniors tell us 'I wish I would have come earlier,'" Abels said. "So, a first-year student or a sophomore shouldn't hesitate to make an appointment. You don't have to have a particular reason. Just come to check us out or come to one of our events, and we will be glad to see you."

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Column: Finding balance and avoiding burnout

"College is supposed to be fun. Yes, you are working on advancing your schooling to eventually be a cog in the capitalist machine, but you will meet some really cool people and make some amazing memories. Reward yourself every now and then. What you're doing is hard, and you need to find the joy in the small wins."

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Old East, as pictured on June 6, 2021, is the oldest state university building in the nation.

A walkthrough of the history of UNC and Chapel Hill

As the oldest public university in the nation, UNC — and the town that was created because of it — has a rich history that spans over two centuries. From the founding to the civil rights movement to recent tragedies, here's a timeline of some major events that have happened at the University and in Chapel Hill in the past 232 years that students should know about.

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DTH Photo Illustration. A recent study at UNC has shown that anxiety in first -year students has increased in the past year with the pandemic and distance-learning.

How to study at a college level effectively

Transitioning from high school to college can be difficult for students. In order to set themselves up for success, students should create positive study habits that help them perform well in college courses. UNC students use a variety of techniques in order to create effective and healthy study habits — such as scheduled study sessions, studying in public places and switching up the content to avoid burnout. 

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