You made it! Congrats, you are now officially taking the first WHOOSH into the vast universe that is UTDallas. Freshman Orientation is the beginning of your journey and an especially important one. It can be a bit overwhelming if you don’t know what to expect but here are some tips to help make the most of your first major experience as a Comet!
- Do some preparation beforehand and arrive early
Make sure you know what time you need to be here and where you are headed on campus. Allow yourself some wiggle room by getting to campus early so you can find your way around without having to stress about being late. If you have any questions on what to expect throughout the day, what you should bring with you, or anything of the like, make sure you check out this link with some frequently asked questions about UTDallas Orientation. http://www.utdallas.edu/fye/orientationfaq/
- Ask older students for advice
Your orientation team leaders, or OTMs, will probably be the number one best thing about orientation. They are current students that are as welcoming and friendly as they come. So don’t be afraid to ask them the rundown on everything UTDallas. Ask them about their favorite places to study on campus, best places to eat, how to make the most of your free time and so much more. Be curious!
- Take photos
Take a photo of the spirit rocks, your advisor, a group of new friends or that perfect reading spot you discovered by accident. You can refresh your memory right before you head back to campus for your first day of classes. It’s always good to have memories you can look back on from your first day as a Comet. Trust me, you will thank me later.
- Don’t be shy to make friends
This is a perfect time to jump start with making friends on campus. During this time, reach out and connect with your fellow students. Whether it’s by phone, email, or social media handle, reach out and get to know some of your future classmates, teammates and maybe even some lifelong friends. You’ll feel better already knowing people on campus when classes start.
- Add some classes to your shopping cart
Before you head into your registration appointment with your advisor, go through your galaxy portal and look up classes that you need to take for your degree plan and add them to your shopping cart. This will also give you time to look up professor ratings on www.ratemyprofessor.com to make sure you are taking classes with the professor you want.
Zain Shahid 
B.S. Biology
Class of 2019
The University of Texas at Dallas
Life as a UT Dallas Comet! 