New Student Orientation
Welcome to your hilltop community!
We’re thrilled that you’re joining us at St. Edward’s, and we’re excited to virtually welcome you this summer to your new hilltop home.
Even though a virtual Orientation experience isn’t what anyone expected, we have an entire team of Hilltoppers eager to get you ready and energized for the fall semester. Your Orientation session will be fun and inspiring, and set the pace for a full and meaningful first year on the hilltop.
You’ll see that despite being a virtual community right now, we’re still a tight-knit, caring community that takes pride in getting to know you as an individual. Supporting your success and wellbeing is our top priority.
Please check back soon for Spring 2021 and Fall 2021 orientation dates and information!
Your Orientation Checklist
Stay on top of everything you need to do and know for Orientation with this handy checklist.
Here’s What You’ll Experience During Orientation
You’ll connect with Student Orientation Leaders and your classmates — all who are smart, globally minded, creative thinkers and problem-solvers, just like you. (Not to mention, super friendly and fun-loving, too!)
You’ll meet one-on-one with your personal success coach who will guide you throughout your time on the hilltop and help you customize your St. Edward’s experience to achieve your goals.
Professors, resident directors and key staff members will also be present at Orientation to introduce you to academic programs, campus resources and opportunities to get involved.
The student leaders, success coaches, staff and professors you meet at Orientation will continue to check in with you over the summer to provide updates, advice and answers as you get ready for the fall semester.
Bringing Hilltopper Spirit to You Virtually
We’ve mapped out the following 4-part plan for your virtual Orientation experience that will keep you engaged with your hilltop community throughout the summer — and fully prepare you for your first semester. You’ll learn all about St. Edward’s and start building relationships with your fellow Hilltoppers. Check out each part, and get started right away!
Part 1: Complete Your Hillstart Tasks
Take care of necessary tasks first.
Like most milestone events in life, entering college involves reviewing and completing paperwork, procedures and tasks that are mandatory for a smooth transition.
Hillstart allows you to conveniently take care of these important transactions online at the beginning of Orientation. That way, you can focus the majority of your Orientation experience on meeting new friends, building relationships and getting ready for the fall semester.
Complete your required Hillstart tasks based on your status.
Activate and regularly check your St. Edward’s email account.
Go to Hillstart and complete ALL ACTIVITIES, including:
- Modern Language Placement Test
- Math Placement Survey
- Signing up for housing
- Completing the advising questionnaire
- Signing up to meet your Success Coach
- Signing up for Topper Times
- Submitting your bacterial meningitis vaccination record
- Submit health insurance
Activate and regularly check your St. Edward’s email account.
Go to Hillstart and complete ALL ACTIVITIES, including:
- Signing up for housing
- Completing the advising questionnaire
- Signing up for Topper Times
- Submitting your bacterial meningitis vaccination record
- Submit health insurance
Activate and regularly check your St. Edward’s email account.
Go to Hillstart and complete ALL ACTIVITIES, including:
- Signing up for housing
- Completing the advising questionnaire
- Signing up for Topper Times
- Submitting your bacterial meningitis vaccination record
Do you have your I-20 or DS-2019 form? If not, learn more about this important first step for exchange students and degree-seeking students. Contact International Student Services with any questions at iss@stedwards.edu.
Both Orientation and check-in at International Landing Day are mandatory for all new students.
Part 2: Get Advised and Register for Classes
Meet your success coach.
All students at St. Edward’s benefit from the guidance and support of a personal success coach, who collaborates with them throughout their college career. Your success coach will get to know you and become your go-to person for all kinds of advice. They’ll learn about your talents, interests and career goals, and help you navigate your college experience successfully. See what students say about the support their success coaches provide.
During this part of Orientation, a success coach will take you through the advising and registration process. Here’s how it works:
- To get started, log in to Hillstart to select a date and time for advising and registration.
- On the date and time you choose, you’ll get together in a Zoom room with your success coach and other students, who you’ll meet. Your success coach will provide an overview of how they will support you during your first academic year and beyond. That includes working with you to create your personal roadmap for college that helps you make the most of your St. Edward’s experience.
- Next, your success coach will explain how advising and registration work and sign you up for a one-on-one advising and registration session via Calendly.
- On your Calendly date, you’ll meet with your success coach on Zoom to get advised and register for your courses. Together, you’ll build the best possible schedule of classes and other activities for your first semester.
Find out what to expect when you meet with your success coach for the first time.
Part 3: Meet Your New Community
Connect with students, staff, professors and classmates.
This is your chance to get the full picture of life at St. Edward’s and the numerous opportunities, programs, activities and resources available to you. Best of all, you’ll have a chance to meet many of the people who will play a big role in your first semester, including your peers.
Here’s a sample of what’s in store during this part of Orientation via Zoom:
Topper Time Presentations
Students, staff and professors will provide an inside view of what you can expect to experience at St. Edward’s, from college classes and campus resources to hilltop traditions and opportunities in Austin.
Get to Know an Upperclassman
A Student Orientation Leader will connect with you several times over the summer to chat one-on-one and share experiences.
LiveWellSEU Events*
Join a variety of fun activities sponsored by our Recreation and Wellness staff. A trivia night, e-sports tournament, fitness class, meditation session and game night are part of the line-up.
Residential Hall Tours
See a guided tour of your residence hall and chat with a resident advisor.
Commuter Q&A*
Learn about the commuter experience and get answers to your questions during this presentation.
Success Coach Check-In
Connect with your success coach for a final review of your class schedule and to set up your first on-campus meeting.
Meet Your Freshman Seminar Professors
Freshman Seminar introduces you to academic life at St. Edward’s and gives you a greater sense of our community. Take part in a discussion with professors about the program and this year’s Common Theme.
Resident Director Check-In
Your resident director and advisor will contact you to get acquainted, cover move-in details and answer your questions.
Hangout with Your Peers on Zeemee
Spend some time interacting with your classmates and get to know each other. You’ll make new friends and connections before heading to campus.
* These activities are optional. But they’re great opportunities to get connected, experience the programs for yourself and meet your peers.
Part 4: Arrive on Campus for Anchors and Move-in
Become an official Hilltopper!
Your Orientation experience will culminate with Anchors when you arrive on campus this fall. All new first-year students participate in this part of Orientation, which helps you go fully into your first year of college.
Following move-in (Aug. 17–19), you’ll begin the 3-day Anchors program (Aug. 21–23) that officially welcomes you to the St. Edward’s family and prepares you for life on campus. Get ready to have some fun! You’ll take part in a mix of small, in-person group experiences and virtual events. For example, you’ll …
- Settle into your residence hall and get to know your resident director, resident assistant and res hall community.
- Have lunch and socialize with fellow students and university staff in a series of fun activities, such as a scavenger hunt and Topper trivia.
- Get familiar with campus and learn about the university’s history, traditions and student policies.
- Be formally inducted into the St. Edward’s community during the Medallion Ceremony and Legacy Walk.
Orientation is sponsored in part by UFCU.