Raider Nation Orientation
Jan. 5, 2025
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 Northwestern’s unique community and can’t wait for you to experience it yourself as you prepare for the intellectual, spiritual, emotional and social growth that will happen during your years at NWC. The O-Staff will help make your transition to Northwestern easier through an orientation that includes opportunities to:
- Meet other new students (transfers and first-time freshmen)
- 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 Sunday, Jan. 5. Go directly to the Ramaker Center between 10 a.m. and 12 noon to check in and get your orientation packet, student ID card, housing information and room key.
After you check in, proceed to your residence hall and move in to your room. You’ll have from 10 a.m. to 12 noon to unload and start unpacking. Here’s some helpful information to make that process easier:
Orientation Schedule
Sunday, Jan 5
Raider Nation Orientation for new traditional undergraduate students
10:00 AM
Check-in/Move-in
Ramaker Center
Report to the student life office in the Ramaker Center for your orientation packet, student ID card, housing information and room key.
12:30 PM
Welcome Luncheon
Vogel Community Room, DeWitt Learning Commons
Meet in the DeWitt Learning Commons Vogel Community Room for a free lunch. Family members are welcome! come meet other new and current students and hear from President Christy. Please remember to fill out your orientation registration to help Creative Dining know how many people are attending. (Note: Registration isn't required to attend.)
2:00 PM
Navigating Northwestern*
Vogel Community Room, DeWitt Learning Commons
Meet in the DeWitt Learning Commons Vogel Community Room for an abridged tour of Northwestern’s most used student services, as well as directions for using your Blackboard account. You will be going through the following checklist together as a group. We highly recommend having your class schedule readily available so we can help you find your classrooms.
- 2:00 PM – Peer Learning Center and Learning Commons Classrooms
- 2:15 PM – Blackboard Tutorial
- 2:45 PM – VPH Classrooms and Computing Services
- 2:50 PM – Break and Snacks
- 3:00 PM – Zwemer Registrar, Business Office, and Human Resources
- 3:10 PM – Wellness Center, Mailroom, Bookstore, Fitness Center, and RSC Classrooms
- 3:30 PM – Compass Center, Intercultural Office, Students Programs, Ramaker Classroom
- 3:45 PM – Campus Ministry
- 4:15 PM – Optional help finding other classrooms
5:00 PM
Dinner
DeWitt Cafeteria
The cafeteria will be open to all students at this time. Student meal plans will work in conjunction with your student ID card.
7:30 PM
Shakes at the Roadhouse
Join fellow new students on a trip to the Roadhouse for some free ice cream shakes. Meet in the cafeteria/Smith Hall lobby. (Students only)
