Next Steps for First-year Huskies

Register for Orientation

Orientation is required for all admitted students and dates fill up quickly. Register in your Next Steps Portal. If you're considering changing your major, do that before you register.

Submit Your Housing Contract and Prepayment

As a first-year student, you're required to live on campus or request a residency requirement exemption. Submit your housing contract after registering for Orientation. The earlier you submit, the earlier you can make your room selection.

• Compare residence halls and rates
• Select or change meal plans
• Am I required to live on campus?

Take Your Required Placement Tests

You may need to complete online placement tests to determine which NIU courses are right for you. Review the Testing Services website to find out which tests apply, then register and complete them before your advising appointment date.

Complete Part 1 of Your Orientation Preparation (Academic Prep)

Your Orientation Preparation is a guided two-part series you'll find in your Next Steps Portal. Part 1, Academic Prep, takes about eight minutes. The short videos walk you through what to expect at your advising appointment, the academic policies you'll need to know and how to find and sign up for classes. A brief quiz at the end confirms what you learned. 

Schedule Your Academic Advising Appointment

Once you've completed Part 1 of your Orientation Preparation (Academic Prep), log in to your Next Steps Portal and to schedule your advising appointment. Appointment slots and open course sections fill quickly, so schedule as soon as you're able. In this virtual, one-on-one, 45-minute session, your advisor will review your degree requirements, discuss placement results and prior credits and register you for your first-semester classes. Learn more about preparing for your advising appointment.

Complete Part 2 of Your Orientation Preparation (POP)

Part 2 of your Orientation Preparation is your Pre-Orientation Program (POP), about 15 minutes total. POP gets you ready for your Orientation day and your first semester. The short videos cover housing, financial planning, tech tools, support services and a final checklist for your Orientation date. You can find POP in your Next Steps Portal. 

Upload Your Photo for Your OneCard ID

Your OneCard is your official NIU ID. It gives you access to your residence hall, meal plans, the Recreation Center, the Huskie Line bus and more. After registering for Orientation, the OneCard office will email you instructions for submitting your photo.

Submit Your Immunization Records

If you enroll for on-campus classes, you're required by the Illinois College Student Immunization Act to provide proof of immunity to measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), tetanus and diphtheria (Td/Tdap) and meningitis.

Manage Your Student Health Insurance

If you enroll in nine or more on-campus credit hours, you'll be automatically billed for NIU student health insurance unless you're fully online. If you have other coverage and want to opt out, you can waive or cancel coverage during the waiver period. Questions? Contact studentinsurance@niu.edu.

Submit Your Final High School Transcript

Your official final high school transcript must include your final grades and graduation date. Check with your high school about sending your official transcript to NIU. Review your MyNIU To Do List for any other outstanding items.

Join Us for Week of Welcome

You've made it. Week of Welcome (WOW) kicks off your first semester at NIU with a full slate of events, tours and activities designed to help you find your community and get comfortable on campus before classes begin. WOW is part of your full Orientation Experience and the best way to start strong. Download the NIU Guidebook app as the start of the semester approaches to personalize your WOW schedule.