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New Student Orientation (NSO) is designed to help you settle into campus life and fully prepare you for the start of your classes and college journey. You’ll learn more about campus resources, bond with classmates at social events, and familiarize yourself with campus before classes begin.
All Orientation events listed on this schedule are mandatory unless otherwise noted with an asterisk, and attendance will be counted towards your grade in your University 1000 class.
Yes, attendance is mandatory for the entire NSO program. This program is your first step to success as a GSW Hurricane! If you have further questions, contact fye@gsw.edu.
Breakfast will not be required or provided during NSO. If you would like to grab a bite to eat, we encourage you to stop by one of the campus dining locations prior to entering the gates.
Dining Hall - Marshall Student Center
Opens at 8:00am
Download the Corq app from the iTunes App Store or Google Play Store. This app includes your required event passes needed to check in and out of New Student Orientation events. After download, you will select GSW as your campus and sign in with your CanesNet credentials.
Download the Corq App for CanesConnect!
Gates Open
9:30am | Storm Dome
Check in with the Office of Recruitment and Admissions to receive your entry pass and begin your New Student Orientation experience.
Opening Ceremony
10:00am | Storm Dome
Receive a Hurricane welcome from Georgia Southwestern's administration and campus leadership.
Treading the Path
10:30am | SSC Conference Rooms
Hear from GSW commuter students on tips to engage and succeed as a commuter.
Commuter students only
Home Bound
10:30am | Storm Dome
Meet with the Director of Residential and Campus Life and learn more about living on campus.
Residential students only
Connecting Canes and Lunch
11:30am and 12:30pm | UNIV 1000 Classrooms / Dining Hall
Connect with other Canes and enjoy lunch in the Caf.
Preliminaries
1:30pm, 2:30pm, and 3:30pm | Jackson Hall, Nursing Lecture Hall, and Storm Dome
Receive tips on health and wellbeing, healthy relationships, and FYE Survival Tips in these rotational sessions.
AAMI Interest Meeting*
4:30pm - 5:30pm | SSC Conference Rooms
Interested in joining the AAMI? Meet with our mentors to discuss how to rise to your full potential during your time at GSW.
Power Up*
5:00pm - 7:00pm | Dining Hall
Enjoy dinner with other new students in the Caf.
Gold Force Rave*
8:00pm - 10:00pm | Marshall Student Center, The Pods
Go for the gold and dance the night away.
*Optional event.
Taking Care of Business*
9:00am - 1:00pm | GSW Shuttle from Oaks II Parking Lot
The GSW Shuttle will be available to provide transportation to local businesses, including Walmart, and to the local churches in the community. Please call the Shuttle at (229) 815-9689 for a ride.
Lunch*
11:00am - 1:00pm | Dining Hall
Grab a bite to eat before beginning the rest of the day.
Gates Open
1:00pm | Storm Dome
Check in with the Department of First-Year Experience and Student Success to begin Day 2.
Opener
1:30pm | Storm Dome
Our keynote speaker Dr. Patricia Buckner Jackson highlights the methods to "discover your brilliance" and how students "can, will, and must."
Gold Medal Strategies
2:30pm, 3:30pm, and 4:30pm | Jackson Hall, Nursing Lecture Hall, and Storm Dome
Receive more information on student rights and responsibilities, campus safety while on campus, and student life in these rotational sessions.
Power Up*
5:30 - 6:30pm | Dining Hall
Enjoy dinner with other new students in our dining hall.
Game Night*
6:30pm - 7:30pm | Marshal Student Center Private Dining Room
Grab your team and compete at game night.
*Optional event.
Gates Open
9:30am | Storm Dome
Check‐in with the Department of First‐Year Experience and Student Success for all questions!
Opener
10:00am | Storm Dome
GSW's Provost Dr. Jill Drake explains how "mindset is everything."
Team Excellence
11:00am | UNIV 1000 Classrooms
Meet and greet with University 1000 instructors.
Medal Mindset and Lunch
12:00pm and 1:00pm | Assigned Computer Labs Across Campus and Dining Hall
Receive tips and instructions on navigating technology services on campus and enjoy lunch.
Olympic Charter: Chart Your Course
2:00pm - 3:00pm | Academic Buildings
Meet with your academic advisor and professors, locate your classrooms across campus and prepare for classes to begin!
Closing Ceremony
3:00pm - 3:30pm | Storm Dome
Prepare for our annual convocation!
Passing the Baton: Freshman Convocation
3:30pm - 5:00pm | Storm Dome
Mark the official beginning of your academic journey with GSW's annual convocation.
Power Up*
5:00 - 7:00pm | Dining Hall
Enjoy dinner with other new students in our dining hall.
Final Round!*
7:00pm - 9:00pm | Florrie Chappel, Game Room, IM Gym
Get competitive with a Dodgeball Tournament in the intramural gym or choose from other options such as a variety of games in the Game Room, climbing the rock wall, or walking over
to Florrie Chappell Gymnasium for a workout.
*Optional event.
Crossing the Finish Line*
All Day
Secure your financial aid, submit outstanding documents, visit local shopping areas, and finish the drill for first day of class!
Movie Night with the Team*
9:00pm - 11:00pm | Canes Central Lawn
Celebrate with the Office of Recruitment and Admissions with movie night on the lawn!
*Optional event.