First-year Student Orientation

Part 1 of 4

Orientation Preparation: Academic Prep and POP

Your Orientation Preparation is a guided two-part series of short videos in your Next Steps Portal. You'll complete both parts before your Orientation date.

• Part 1: Academic Prep. About eight minutes total. Walks 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.
• Part 2: Pre-Orientation Program (POP). About 15 minutes total. Gets you ready for your Orientation day and your first semester with short videos covering housing, financial planning, tech tools, support services and a final checklist for your Orientation date.

Completing Academic Prep unlocks the ability to schedule your advising appointment.

Part 2 of 4

Your Academic Advising Appointment

Once you've completed Academic Prep, you'll schedule a virtual, one-on-one academic advising appointment in your Next Steps Portal. This 45-minute session takes place on Microsoft Teams on a separate date from your Orientation.

During your appointment, your advisor will review your degree requirements, discuss your placement results and prior credits and register you for your first-semester classes. After your appointment, you'll be ready to attend Orientation with your schedule in place.

Schedule as soon as you're able. Appointment slots and open course sections fill quickly. Learn more about first-year student advising. 

Part 3 of 4

Orientation Day

Attending your Orientation date is mandatory to remain enrolled in your first-semester courses. It's the day you'll meet other new Huskies, learn about campus resources and start building the connections that carry you through your first year. You'll choose between in-person and virtual formats when you register. Dates fill up quickly. See the full date list below.

• In person: The recommended format for first-year students. You'll spend the day on campus learning about tools and resources and connecting with other new students. You may bring up to two guests at no charge. You'll add guest information when you register for your Orientation date.
• Virtual: For students who can't travel to campus, select dates take place online via Microsoft Teams. Virtual Orientation is designed to offer flexibility while still providing essential information about resources, support services and finding success in your first year.

Part 4 of 4

Week of Welcome

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 the final part of your Orientation Experience and the best way to start strong. Download the NIU Guidebook app to personalize your WOW schedule as the start of the semester approaches.