Raider Nation Orientation
Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026 | 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Raider Nation Orientation
Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026 | 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Raider Nation Orientation
Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026 | 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
We're eager to greet you as you arrive on campus for Northwestern's spring Raider Nation Orientation for new students. Our orientation staff (O-Staff) are upperclassmen who love the Raider Nation community and can't wait for you to experience it yourself. Orientation is designed to help make your transition to Northwestern easier by giving you opportunities to:
- Meet other new students (first-time freshmen + transfers)
- Get settled in your dorm room
- Meet with your faculty adviser
- Learn about Northwestern's programs, resources and services
We're eager to greet you as you arrive on campus for Northwestern's spring Raider Nation Orientation for new students. Our orientation staff (O-Staff) are upperclassmen who love the Raider Nation community and can't wait for you to experience it yourself. Orientation is designed to help make your transition to Northwestern easier by giving you opportunities to:
- Meet other new students (first-time freshmen + transfers)
- Get settled in your dorm room
- Meet with your faculty adviser
- Learn about Northwestern's programs, resources and services
We're eager to greet you as you arrive on campus for Northwestern's spring Raider Nation Orientation for new students. Our orientation staff (O-Staff) are upperclassmen who love the Raider Nation community and can't wait for you to experience it yourself. Orientation is designed to help make your transition to Northwestern easier by giving you opportunities to:
- Meet other new students (first-time freshmen + transfers)
- Get settled in your dorm room
- Meet with your faculty adviser
- Learn about Northwestern's programs, resources and services
Residence halls open at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 6. Go to the student life office in the Ramaker Center (it's on the second floor) between 10 a.m. and noon to check in and get your orientation packet, student ID card, housing information and room key.
After you check in, you can begin moving into your dorm room. You'll have from 10 a.m. to noon to unload and start unpacking. Be sure to check out our room dimensions + layouts and our list of what to bring (and not bring) to campus.
Orientation schedule
Orientation schedule
Orientation schedule
*Required event
*Required event
*Required event
Tuesday, Jan. 6
Tuesday, Jan. 6
Tuesday, Jan. 6
Check-in + move-in
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Report to the student life office on the second floor of the Ramaker Center for your welcome packet, student ID card, housing information and room key.
Welcome Luncheon*
12:30 to 1:45 p.m.
Meet in the Vogel Room of the DeWitt Learning Commons for a free lunch. Your family members are welcome to join us! Come meet other new and current students and hear from President Greg Christy. Please fill out the orientation registration to help us know how many people are attending. (Registration not required to attend, but it is appreciated.)
Navigating Northwestern*
2:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Meet in the Vogel Room of the DeWitt Learning Commons for an abridged tour and overview of Northwestern's most utilized student services. You'll also receive instructions on navigating your Blackboard account.
You will go through the following checklist as a group. We highly recommend having your class schedule available so we can help you find your classrooms.
- Learning Commons — Student Success Center and classrooms
- Van Peursem Hall (VPH) — classrooms and computing services
- Zwemer Hall — registrar's office, business office and human resources
- Rowenhorst Student Center (RSC) — Wellness Center, mailroom, bookstore, fitness center and classrooms
- Blackboard tutorial
- Optional help finding other classrooms
Dinner
5 to 7 p.m.
The cafeteria will be open to all students during this time. Bring your student ID card to access your student meal plan.
Check-in + move-in
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Report to the student life office on the second floor of the Ramaker Center for your welcome packet, student ID card, housing information and room key.
Welcome Luncheon*
12:30 to 1:45 p.m.
Meet in the Vogel Room of the DeWitt Learning Commons for a free lunch. Your family members are welcome to join us! Come meet other new and current students and hear from President Greg Christy. Please fill out the orientation registration to help us know how many people are attending. (Registration not required to attend, but it is appreciated.)
Navigating Northwestern*
2:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Meet in the Vogel Room of the DeWitt Learning Commons for an abridged tour and overview of Northwestern's most utilized student services. You'll also receive instructions on navigating your Blackboard account.
You will go through the following checklist as a group. We highly recommend having your class schedule available so we can help you find your classrooms.
- Learning Commons — Student Success Center and classrooms
- Van Peursem Hall (VPH) — classrooms and computing services
- Zwemer Hall — registrar's office, business office and human resources
- Rowenhorst Student Center (RSC) — Wellness Center, mailroom, bookstore, fitness center and classrooms
- Blackboard tutorial
- Optional help finding other classrooms
Dinner
5 to 7 p.m.
The cafeteria will be open to all students during this time. Bring your student ID card to access your student meal plan.
Check-in + move-in
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Report to the student life office on the second floor of the Ramaker Center for your welcome packet, student ID card, housing information and room key.
Welcome Luncheon*
12:30 to 1:45 p.m.
Meet in the Vogel Room of the DeWitt Learning Commons for a free lunch. Your family members are welcome to join us! Come meet other new and current students and hear from President Greg Christy. Please fill out the orientation registration to help us know how many people are attending. (Registration not required to attend, but it is appreciated.)
Navigating Northwestern*
2:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Meet in the Vogel Room of the DeWitt Learning Commons for an abridged tour and overview of Northwestern's most utilized student services. You'll also receive instructions on navigating your Blackboard account.
You will go through the following checklist as a group. We highly recommend having your class schedule available so we can help you find your classrooms.
- Learning Commons — Student Success Center and classrooms
- Van Peursem Hall (VPH) — classrooms and computing services
- Zwemer Hall — registrar's office, business office and human resources
- Rowenhorst Student Center (RSC) — Wellness Center, mailroom, bookstore, fitness center and classrooms
- Blackboard tutorial
- Optional help finding other classrooms
Dinner
5 to 7 p.m.
The cafeteria will be open to all students during this time. Bring your student ID card to access your student meal plan.
Wednesday, Jan. 7
Wednesday, Jan. 7
Wednesday, Jan. 7
Spring term begins — Enjoy your first day of class as a Raider!
Meet your academic adviser
10 to 10:30 a.m. in your adviser's office
Spring term begins — Enjoy your first day of class as a Raider!
Meet your academic adviser
10 to 10:30 a.m. in your adviser's office
Spring term begins — Enjoy your first day of class as a Raider!
Meet your academic adviser
10 to 10:30 a.m. in your adviser's office
