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 spring 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 spring 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.
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.
Key community leaders 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 serve as a great resource to help you succeed by providing updates, advice, and answers as you get ready for the spring 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 winter break — 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 spring 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
- Submitting your proof of 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
- Submitting your proof of 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 and fill out the advising questionnaire.
- Complete the Math Placement Survey and Modern Language Placement Exam.
- A success coach will reach out to you to set up an individual advising appointment. In that appointment, you will speak with your success coach about your major, classes and schedule, and answer any academic questions you have.
- Advising appointments will begin on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020.
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 during your orientation session 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 new home on the hilltop.
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.
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 Move-in
Become an official Hilltopper!
Your Orientation experience will culminate with the Medallion Ceremony and Legacy Walk when you arrive on campus this spring. All new first-year students participate in this part of Orientation, which is a time-honored and cherished campus tradition.
Following move-in (Jan. 15, 2021) get ready to have some fun! You’ll take part in a mix of small, in-person group and virtual experiences. For example, you’ll …
- Settle into your residence hall and get to know your resident director, resident assistant, and residence hall community.
- 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.