Preparing for Orientation

You can register for Orientation after you’ve confirmed your intent to enroll and paid your enrollment fee. After you've paid your fee, login to your Next Steps portal to register for orientation.

You can access your Pre-Orientation Program (POP) through your Next Steps Portal. We recommend starting it at least two weeks before your Orientation date.

As a first-year student, you're required to take any placement exams prior to your Orientation date. We recommend starting them at least six weeks in advance. For more information, please see our Testing Services website. 

After you’ve selected your orientation date, you’ll be invited to schedule a virtual one-on-one appointment with your academic advisor. During your advising appointment, you’ll receive recommendations on what classes to register for in your first semester and learn about the expectations and requirements for your major. 

You should schedule your orientation advising appointment as soon as possible, ideally at least one week before your orientation date. If you haven't scheduled an advising appointment by your orientation date, you will be prompted to do so during orientation check-in. 

Note: The appointment itself can take place either before or after your orientation session — just not during orientation.

If you have any questions, contact the Academic Advising Center at aac@niu.edu. If your major is in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, please see their website for your advisor's contact information.

You can prepare to register for classes by:

• Reviewing the general education requirements.
• Viewing your major in the Undergraduate Catalog.
• Reviewing your college’s four-year degree paths.
• Viewing important information such as expenses, financial aid and withdrawal policy in the Undergraduate Catalog.

You'll need to submit a photo for your NIU OneCard (student ID). Within 3 business days of registering for Orientation, you'll receive an email with instructions on uploading a photo to be used on your ID. Check your NIU email account for a message from the OneCard Office with the subject line “NIU OneCard Photo Submission.” 

On your Orientation date, we'll connect you with helpful resources, engage with departments essential to your success and you’ll meet current students in leadership positions, as well as connect with other new students.

Once you've attended your Orientation date, you'll be emailed a link to POP 2.0, a self-guided module that will help you learn more about how to get involved and engaged on campus to make the most of your time at NIU.