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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.
All Orientation events listed on this schedule are mandatory unless otherwise noted with an asterisk, and attendance will be counted towards your grade in your University 1000 class.
Yes, attendance is mandatory for the entire New Student Orientation 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 Canes Fest (NSO). If you would like to grab a bite to eat, we encourage you to stop by one of the campus dining locations prior to entering the gates.
The Caf - Dining Hall, Marshall Student Center
Opens at 7:30am
Café Campesino - Marshall Student Center
Opens at 8:00am
Closed Sunday
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!
Gates Open
9:30am | Storm Dome
Check in with the Office of First-Year Experience and Student Success to receive your Canes Fest pass and begin your New Student Orientation experience.
Opening Act
10:00am | Storm Dome
Receive a Hurricane Welcome from Georgia Southwestern's administration and campus leadership.
Why Can't We Be Friends
11:00am | UNIV 1000 Classrooms
Meeting your UNIV 1000 class and get to know each other with ice breakers.
Count On Me! (1st Rotation)
11:30am | UNIV 1000 Classrooms
Enjoy lunch at the Caf and Connect with other Canes.
Count On Me! (2nd Rotation)
12:30pm | Marshal Student Center, Caf
Enjoy lunch at the Caf and Connect with other Canes.
Good Vibrations (Concurrent Session)
1:30pm | Health and Well-Being – SSC Conference Rooms; Healthy Relationships – Jackson Hall; FYE Survival Tips – Storm Dome
Receive tips on health and wellbeing, healthy relationships, and FYE success tips.
Happy (Concurrent Session)
2:30pm | Health and Well-Being – SSC Conference Rooms; Healthy Relationships – Jackson Hall; FYE Survival Tips – Storm Dome
Receive tips on health and wellbeing, healthy relationships, and FYE success tips.
So You Think You Can Hurricane? (Concurrent Session)
3:30pm | Health and Well-Being – SSC Conference Rooms; Healthy Relationships – Jackson Hall; FYE Survival Tips – Storm Dome
Receive tips on health and wellbeing, healthy relationships, and FYE success tips.
HOME
4:30pm | Residence Life – Storm Dome; Commuters – SSC Conference Rooms
Meet with the Director of Residential Life and learn more about residence life and commuting.
Festival Eats
5:00pm - 7:00pm | Marshall Student Center, Caf
Enjoy dinner with other new students in our dining hall.
Island Style*
8:00pm - 10:00pm | Marshall Student Center, The Pods
Grab a lei and dance the night away Luau Style.
Taking Care of Business*
9:00am - 12:00pm | GSW Shuttle from Oaks 2 Parking Lot
The GSW Shuttle will be available to provide transportation to local business, including Walmart, and to the local churches in the community. Please call the Shuttle at (229) 815-9689 for a ride.
Festival Eats
11:00am - 1:00pm | Marshall Student Center, Caf
Grab lunch with the group before beginning the rest of the day.
Gates Open
1:00pm | Storm Dome
Check in with the Office of First-Year Experience and Student Success to begin Day 2.
Headliner 1
1:30pm | Storm Dome
Keynote speaker Dr. Barbara Hong presents the secrets to success and how to face failures based on her book, Failing Up.
Party in the USA (Concurrent Session)
2:30pm | Storm Dome, SSC Conference Rooms
Receive more information on student conduct, cybersecurity, and campus safety while on campus.
Danger Zone (Concurrent Session)
3:30pm | Storm Dome, SSC Conference Rooms
Receive more information on student conduct, cybersecurity, and campus safety while on campus.
I Love College (Concurrent Session)
4:30pm | Storm Dome, SSC Conference Rooms
Receive more information on student conduct, cybersecurity, and campus safety while on campus.
Wrap-up
5:30pm | Storm Dome
Wrap-up the day with Monday reminders.
Festival Eats
5:45pm | Marshall Student Center, Caf
Enjoy dinner with other new students in our dining hall.
Jump Around*
7:00pm - 8:00pm | Storm Dome
Get competitive with a Dodgeball Tournament in the intramural gym! Team signups will be available during Festival Eats in the hallway of the Marshall Student Center.
We are the Champions!*
8:00pm - 10:00pm | GSW Storm Dome
Carry over into our various recreation and wellness facilities with a game of pool, videos games, air hockey, or walk over to Florrie Chappell Gymnasium for a workout.
Gates Open
9:30am | Storm Dome
Check in with the Office of First-Year Experience and Student Success.
Headliner 2
10:00am | Storm Dome
GSW's Provost Dr. Jill Drake explains how "Mindset is Everything."
We're All in This Together
11:00am | UNIV 1000 Classrooms
Meet and greet with University 1000 instructors.
Ayo Technology! (Concurrent Session)
12:00pm | Assigned Computer Labs Across Campus
Receive tips and instructions on navigating technology services on campus before enjoying lunch.
Festival Eats (Concurrent Session)
1:00pm | Marshall Student Center, Caf
Receive tips and instructions on navigating technology services on campus after enjoying lunch.
I Am a Wanderer
2:00pm | Academic Buildings
Find your classes across campus and prepare for your first day!
Victorious - Panic!
3:30pm | Storm Dome
Receive your free orientation t-shirt and play battle games with other students.
You've Got a Friend in Me
4:00pm - 5:00pm | AAMI – Crawford Wheatley Hall, Room 104; Greek Like – Storm Dome
Interested in leadership or organizations on campus? Learn more about Greek Life, AAMI, and the rest of the various ways to get involved during your studies.
Festival Eats
5:00pm - 7:00pm | Marshall Student Center, Caf
Enjoy dinner with other new students in our dining hall.
Quit Playing Games*
8:00pm - 10:00pm | Canes Central
Group up with new friends and participate in a game night including card games and basketball.
Gates Open
9:00am | Storm Dome
Check in with the Office of First-Year Experience and Student Success.
Headliner 3
9:30am | Storm Dome
Begin the day with an introduction to Clifton Strengths by Dr. Laura Boren, Vice President for Student Engagement and Success.
Closing Act
10:30am | Storm Dome
Prepare for our annual Convocation.
Encore
11:00am | Storm Dome
Mark the official beginning of your academic journey with GSW's annual convocation. Freshman will receive the Presidential Challenge Coin and complete the Freshman Walk down Hello Walk while greeting the rest of campus. A freshman photo will be taken following the Freshman Walk.
Taking Care of Business / Lunch
12:30pm | GSW Campus
Grab lunch with new friends at the Caf and use this extra time to complete any last minute tasks before classes begin such as touring campus, completing paperwork, setting up your residence hall, etc.
Festival Eats*
5:00pm - 7:00pm | Downtown Americus
Take advantage of a free ride downtown to check out local eateries in Americus. Pick-up/drop-off will be located at the loop in front of Canes Central. Please call the Shuttle at (229) 815-9689 for a ride.
Nothing's Going to Stop Us Now!*
8:30pm - 10:00pm | Southwestern Oaks Courtyard
Grab a blanket and check out a movie on the lawn for a relaxing evening before classes.