What to Expect During First-Year Orientation

First-Year Orientation Information First-Year Orientation Information

Our first-year orientation program is required for all first-year students and is designed to help you make a smooth transition to UNCW.

Below, you'll learn more about what to expect while attending your required Orientation program.

Arrival and Check-in

There are two options for arrival during Orientation.

Early Arrival

Early arrival check-in is from 7-9 p.m. the evening before Day 1 of a student's session. Students must pre-register and pay the additional fee for Early Arrival. Learn more.

Orientation Check-in

Orientation check in will take place from 7:45 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Day 1 of the session in Loggerhead Hall. Students who arrive after 9 a.m. must go directly to the Burney Center to check in.

Students and guests will park in the Hewlett Lot before checking in.

Students who plan to stay overnight on campus should bring all luggage with them to check-in. Students are not required to stay overnight, but it is highly encouraged and is included in the Orientation Registration Fee.

During check-in, students and guests will check in together by the student's last name.

Housing Check-In

After checking in to Orientation, our staff will direct students who are staying on campus to pick up their residence hall keys in Pelican Hall.

Guests staying on campus will visit the Schwartz Hall desk to pick up their keys.

Continental Breakfast and Orientation Welcome

After check-in, all students and guests will report to the Burney Center for a continental breakfast and the orientation welcome. Students and guests arriving after 9 a.m. should report directly the Burney Center.

Where You'll Stay

All students are highly encouraged to stay on campus on the evening of Day 1 of their Orientation session.

Students who choose to stay overnight will stay in Pelican Hall.

All students will be assigned a random roommate for Orientation.

Students who wish to stay with a specific student who is also attending the same orientation session should plan to check in to the residence hall at the same time. We cannot guarantee that you will be placed together, but we will do our best to accommodate this request.

What You'll Eat

During orientation, students and guests will rotate between Wagoner Dining Hall, the Shore Dining Hall, and the Hawk's Nest*.

*Not all Hawk's Nest locations are available for Orientation. Available locations will be listed on your Orientation schedule received at check-in.

Vegetarian, Vegan, and gluten-free options are available at each meal time. Additional dietary restrictions should be included in your Orientation registration.

What You'll Do

Student Orientation Schedule

*All items subject to change

orientation schedule
Day 1 Student program runs from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Students must participate in all activities. Students staying off-campus may be picked up between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.	Day 2 The student program runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. All students must check in with their Orientation Leader prior to the first session.
7:45- 9 a.m. Check-in 8- 9:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast 9:30- 9:50 a.m. Welcome 10:05- 10:45 a.m. Small Group Breakout 1 11-11:30 a.m. The UNCW Experience 11:30 a.m.- 1:25 p.m. Lunch/ Getting Involved 1:40- 2:05 p.m. Learning Beyond the Classroom 2:05- 2:25 p.m. Seahawk Respect Compact 2:40- 3:10 p.m. Thriving Academically at UNCW 3:30- 4 p.m. Academic College Overview 4:20- 4:50 p.m. Empowering Student Success 4:50- 5:15 p.m. Campus Safety 5:30- 7 p.m. Dinner 7- 8:15 p.m. Small Group Breakout 2 8:15- 9:30 p.m. Late Night at the Recreation Center	7-8 a.m. Breakfast 7- 8:15 a.m. Housing Checkout 8:30- 8:40 Day 2 Welcome 8:40- 9 a.m. Seahawk Athletics 9- 9:25 a.m. CARE/Title IX 9:30- 10 a.m. Financial Matters 10:10- 10:50 a.m. Living the College Life 10:55- 11:20 a.m. Being A Healthy Hawk 11:20 a.m.- 12:15 p.m. Lunch 12:30- 1:15 p.m. Small Group Breakout 3 1:30- 1:45 p.m. Next Steps 2- 3:15 p.m. Honors College Meeting (Required for Honors College Students) 2- 3 p.m. Residence Hall Showrooms
Attendance is taken at all small and large group sessions. Students who miss one or more sessions will be required to make up their orientation session at a later date.

What to Bring

All students should bring:

Your UNCW login username and password
Phone Charger or Power Bank
Something to take notes with/on
Comfortable clothes & shoes
Refillable Water bottle
Rain gear (jacket, umbrella, shoes)
Any medications
Driver's license/picture ID to pick up your One Card
Student evening activities will be in the Leonard Student Rec Center, so pack additional clothing if you opt to play basketball or use weights/exercise equipment. However, other non-athletic activities will be available as well!

If you plan to stay overnight in the residence hall, you should also bring: