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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.
New Student Orientation is mandatory for all first-year students. Attendance will be counted towards your grade in your UNIV 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 before the day begins!
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!
Move-In Day (Required for all residential students)*
8:00am – 1:00pm | Residence Halls
Get settled into your new home on campus and start your GSW journey!
Storm Day*
10:00am – 11:00am | Canes Central
Kick off orientation with fun, games, and GSW spirit!
Parents' Reception*
1:00pm | Private Dining Room
Join us for light refreshments and meaningful conversation as we welcome parents and supporters to the GSW community.
Parents' Goodbye
2:00pm | Residence Halls
A special moment for heartfelt goodbyes before students begin their new adventure at GSW.
Residence Hall Welcome Meetings (All first year residential students)
3:00pm | Residence Halls
Meet your peers, residential community leaders, and get plugged into your campus network.
Thunderolympics
4:30pm – 6:00pm | Canes Lawn (subject to change)
Team up and compete in spirited challenges that will test your wit, strength, and teamwork! Commuter students are encouraged to attend.
Dinner and Spirit Showdown Practice
6:00pm – 8:00pm | Dining Hall
Fuel up and prepare for the ultimate spirit showdown!
DJ Party*
8:00pm – 10:00pm | Private Dining Room
Celebrate your first night with a live DJ and fun!
*Optional Event
Taking Care of Business*
9:00am - 1:00pm | Campus Wide
Use this time to complete any remaining campus errands and prepare for the semester!
Local Church Services*
9:00am – 1:00pm | Local Church Locations
Visit local churches and explore the downtown Americus community.
Brunch with the Canes*
11:00am – 1:00pm | Dining Hall
Enjoy brunch and connect with fellow Hurricanes and campus staff.
Check-In (All first year residential and commuter students)
1:00pm | Storm Dome
Get officially checked in for New Student Orientation!
NSO Welcome
1:30pm | Storm Dome
Kick things off with a warm welcome from the NSO team!
Keynote Speaker: Willie Spears
2:00pm – 3:00pm | Storm Dome
Be inspired by dynamic speaker Willie Spears.
Trivia
3:15pm – 4:15pm | Storm Dome
Test your knowledge and compete in a fun game of trivia!
Rotational Session: Student Conduct & Public Safety
4:15pm – 5:15pm | Storm Dome
Learn how GSW keeps its campus safe and supportive.
Dinner and Spirit Showdown Practice
6:00pm – 8:00pm | Dining Hall
Enjoy dinner and prep for the spirited showdown!
Game Night*
8:00pm - 9:00pm | Private Dining Room
Grab your team and compete at game night.
*Optional Event
Check-In (All first year residential and commuter students)
8:30am | Storm Dome
Start your day by checking in and preparing for a day full of academic engagement and fun!
Battle of the Canes
9:00am | Storm Dome
Face off against your fellow Canes in this high-energy showdown of skill, strategy, and school spirit. Who will come out on top? Let the battle begin!
Academic Session 1
9:30am – 10:50am | Assigned Academic Location
Dive into your first academic-focused session and get a feel for college-level learning at GSW.
Meet Your UNIV 1000 Instructor
11:05am – 11:50am | Assigned Academic Location
Connect with your UNIV 1000 instructor and learn what to expect from this essential first-year course.
Lunch with Faculty / Tech Session
12:00pm – 12:45pm OR 1:00pm – 1:45pm | Assigned Computer Lab
Enjoy lunch with faculty and explore the tech tools you'll use throughout your college experience.
Academic Session 2
2:00pm – 3:00pm | Assigned Academic Location
Continue your academic exploration with a second engaging session.
GSW Scavenger Hunt
3:00pm – 4:00pm | Campus Wide
Join the hunt! This interactive experience will help you discover campus resources.
Dinner/Spirit Showdown Practice
6:00pm – 8:00pm | Dining Hall
Refuel and relax with a delicious dinner before the evening festivities.
Movie Night*
9:00pm – 11:00pm | Canes Lawn
Wind down with friends and a snow cone during Movie Night on the Canes Lawn!
*Optional Event
All Offices Open
All Day | Campus Wide
Campus offices are open throughout the day to assist with any last-minute needs or questions.
Check-In (All first year residential and commuter students)
8:30am | Storm Dome
Begin the day by checking in and getting ready for your final orientation experience.
Battle of the Canes
9:00am - 9:15am | Storm Dome
Face off against your fellow Canes in this high-energy showdown of skill, strategy, and school spirit. Who will come out on top? Let the battle begin!
Integrative Learning Session: What Motivates You
9:30am - 10:15am | Assigned Academic Location
Join Dr. DiPaula, Dr. Merritt, and fellow students in a reflective session about motivation and your learning journey.
Prep for Convocation
10:15am | Storm Dome
Get ready for Convocation!
Parade of Canes: Freshman Convocation
10:30am | Storm Dome
Mark the official beginning of your academic journey with GSW's annual convocation.
Cohort Photo
11:30am | Canes Lawn
Capture the moment with your fellow Hurricanes!
Lunch/Spirit Showdown Practice
12:00pm | Dining Hall
Grab lunch at your own pace! Shuttle availability TBA.
Taking Care of Business*
2:00pm – 5:00pm | Campus Wide
Use this time to complete any remaining campus errands and prepare for the semester.
Dinner/Meet the Greeks*
5:00pm – 7:00pm | Dining Hall / PODS
Learn about Greek Life, refuel, and relax with a delicious dinner before the evening festivities!
Spirit Showdown
7:00pm – 9:00pm | Storm Dome
Bring the energy and show your Canes pride! Compete with your peers in a high-energy celebration of spirit, teamwork, and campus tradition.
*Optional Event