Everything a UNH Freshman Needs to Do Before Fall

Keeping reading for the ultimate guide to everything you need to do after you have committed to UNH!

1. Celebrate!!!

Instagram that cheesy picture with the school statue or mascot, update your Facebook status, put it in all of your social media bios, buy those sweatshirts in 3 different colors, get that lanyard; and yes, put a bumper sticker on your car. You did it. You’re going to college!!!!

2. Check your email regularly.

Typically, most colleges use email as the main source of communication. Stay up to date and be sure you aren’t missing any deadlines.

3. Fill out FAFSA (Federal Student Aid).

This is a hassle, but it almost always has to be done. Check in with your school counselor or parents about this one first, and be sure to understand the school’s requirements in doing this.

4. Learn about housing options.

Google is your best friend right now. Look up things like “Best dorm at UNH” or “Where should I live at UNH?” Sure enough, there are thousands of other people wondering the same thing. You will find plenty of Yahoo! answers, forums, and student written columns with these searches.

5. Connect to social media (a.k.a. Stalk, stalk, stalk)!

Unless you plan on getting random roommate, you’ll be in the market for a person with similar habits and interests to yourself. Join the “University of New Hampshire Class of 2020” page, and scroll through the plethora of “I love to go out but don’t mind an occasional Netflix night” or “I really want to avoid the freshman 15 so I need a workout buddy” posts. You’re all in the same boat, and you’re bound to find just the right tv-watching gym-going partner for you! Now is also the time to start looking for club, sport, or Greek life websites/social media pages, and think about how you want to get involved in the coming year.

6. Look into all that UNH has to offer!

You want to know a little about what your interests and strengths are. Learning what programs, schools/majors, classes, and opportunities the university has to offer is helpful in preparing yourself for orientation and the upcoming year.

7. Sign up for orientation.

This is a critical step because orientation is typically the time when students select classes and learn everything there is to know about freshman year. Ask about placement tests for the classes you sign up for, get familiar with the campus map, and come prepared with any questions you can think of.

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8. Make sure you’re up-to-date medically, financially, and physically.

A doctor’s visit is usually in order to ensure that you’re current on all of your shots. You will want to notify and order your prescriptions to the local drugstore, get a debit card that is compatible with the ATM’s around campus to avoid the withdrawal fees, and save up more money than you’ll think you’ll need (because you will need double that)!

How to Work Out Without Leaving Your Dorm at SJU

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9. Shop, shop, shop.

A big part of the move-in excitement is getting to decorate your dorm room, and buying new clothes, shoes, toiletries, and school supplies.

10. Pack!

Packing is one of the most excruciating steps to the process. Do your best shoving the million boxes, bags, and belongings into the back of the car. It is also a good idea to talk to your roommate beforehand and decide who is bringing the items you will share (i.e. the fridge, microwave, tv, rug, etc).

Most importantly, get excited!!!!

This is by far the biggest change in your life thus far. College is a time when you get a fresh start, meet all new people, take classes you’re actually interested in, and finally get to be on your own and able to take charge. You only get one life, and this is the opportunity to live it to the fullest before entering the real real world.