First-Year Schedule
Incoming first-year students attending classes in the fall semester must attend a 2-day orientation session unless attending the 1-day Last Chance session on August 12. These sessions start officially at 12:00pm with check-in occurring 9:00am to 12:00pm. Day 1 will end at 6:00pm for families and 10:00pm for students. Day 2 will be from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Please make sure to eat lunch before the program starts at noon on day 1 as the first meal served to students will be dinner.
Academic advising will be in the afternoon of day 2 of orientation. Students will receive an email with their academic advising logistics to their UGA email by 10:00am on day 2 of orientation.
Prior to arriving at orientation, you will receive a pre-orientation email to help prepare you to be successful at orientation. We also suggest you check out the To-Do List prior to attending.
Please keep in mind that attending a New Student Orientation session is mandatory. These sessions will offer the opportunity to connect with other incoming students, campus staff, faculty and Orientation Leaders. It will also allow you to be even more prepared to be successful at UGA with campus tours, an introduction to dining halls, and resource and organizational fairs.
Five days prior to your session, you will be able to access your session schedule on the Welcome to UGA mobile app (available in the Apple App Store and Google Play for smartphones and tablets).
Orientation Check-In and Pre-Programming. Orientation check-in occurs from 9:00am to 12:00pm on the 5th floor of the Tate Student Center. Housing check-in, placement testing, resource fair, and campus tours also occur during this time. Lunch is NOT part of the program on day 1, so please make sure to eat prior to 12:00pm.
Parking. Parking is provided during orientation in the Tate Student Center Parking Deck. Cars cannot be left overnight in the deck. Parking passes will be given at the Tate Student Center Parking Deck gate and at check-in. Cars can be moved to the surface lot beside Russell Hall overnight.
Meals. Dinner on day 1 and lunch on day 2 are provided for students in the dining hall. Guests are not charged to attend orientation, all we ask is that they pay for their meals. Guests are able to eat in the dining hall at a discounted rate. Dining Services provides breakfast on day 2 for both students and guests in the Tate Student Center. Students attending orientation in May will be eating in Oglethorpe House Dining Commons, and students attending orientation in June, July, and August will be eating in Bolton Dining Commons.
Updated Major in Athena. Students must ensure they have the most updated major in Athena, as that will determine which academic advisor they meet with.
UGA OneCard. Students must submit their picture and prepay for their UGA OneCard to receive it at orientation.
Orientation Service Project. Consider bringing an item for the orientation service project, Bulldog Basics. Bulldog Basics provides personal care and toiletry items to students in need on campus.
UGA Bookstore Coupon. The UGA Bookstore offers a 30% off coupon off one spirit item for those attending orientation. Get more information at orientation check-in.
UGA Bookstore – Technology Discount. The UGA Bookstore is a licensed Apple seller and offers an 8-10% discount off the retail price found online and in stores.
Attire. Make sure to bring comfortable shoes as there will be a lot of walking during orientation, as well as a jacket as some buildings can be chilly.