Orientation
Congratulations on Becoming a Blazer!
New Student Orientation Information
New Student Orientation (NSO) is a multi-day experience for all new Blazers that takes place in August. Led by a group of Peer Mentors, NSO is designed to engage you, connect you, and help you to make a smooth transition into Hood College.
Participation in New Student Orientation is REQUIRED for all incoming residential and commuter students.
If you have any questions related to NSO, contact the Office of Student Engagement and Orientation via email at orientation@hood.edu or call us at 301-696-3575.
Orientation in Three Easy Steps
Step One - Register for and Attend Hood Ready
Visit campus for Hood Ready: a one-day, on-campus experience where you'll meet faculty and staff, get to know Peer Mentors, complete next steps for enrollment, get your campus ID, tour campus, and connect with resources across campus. Parent(s) and guest(s) will have a tailored Hood Ready schedule as well.
Step Two - Review and Complete Important Tasks for Deposited Students
This list is designed to help you to complete all of the necessary requirements to have a smooth transition to Hood College. The task list contains links to important forms, IT information, placement test information, housing information, and more.
Step Three - Register for and Attend New Student Orientation (NSO)
As a reminder, all residential and commuter students are required to attend NSO. Parent(s) and guest(s) are welcome to join you on the first day of NSO until we say farewell at the BBQ Send-off. Don’t worry – we’ve got you from there!
New Student Orientation Schedule
Join us Thursday, August 13-Saturday, August 15! The full schedule can be found utilizing the dropdown menus below.
Note:
- First-year and transfer students with fewer than 15 credits will start NSO on Thursday, August 13
- Transfer students with 15 or more credits will attend Hood Ready on Wednesday, July 29 and attend New Student Orientation on Saturday, August 15
Please reach out to orientation@hood.edu with any questions and we're happy to assist.
7-11:30 a.m. | Check-in, Move-in, Settle-in | Various Res. Halls
9-11 a.m. | Pastries with PAC | Whitaker Atrium
11:15 a.m.-noon | Parents of Student Athletes | Hodson Auditorium
Noon-1 p.m. | ParentHood (non-Student-Athletes) | Whitaker Commons
12:30-1 p.m. | Commuter Check-in | Whitaker Front Desk
1-3 p.m. | Lunch/BBQ Send-off | Coblentz Dining Hall
3-3:30 p.m. | Meet Your PM | Quad
3:30-4 p.m. | Keeping Our Campus Safe | Coffman Chapel
4-4:30 p.m. | Mental Health & Overall Wellness | Coffman Chapel
4:30-5 p.m. | Floor Meetings for Residents | Various Res. Halls
4:30-5 p.m. | Commuter Meeting | Whitaker Commons
5-6 p.m. | Dinner with PMs | Coblentz Dining Hall
6-7:30 p.m. | Playfair | Hodson Outdoor Theater
9 a.m.-6 p.m. | Quiet Room | Coblentz Seminar Room
9-10 a.m. | Sleep in, Settle in, Prepare for Day Ahead
10-11 a.m. | Breakfast with FYE Class | Coblentz Dining Hall
11 a.m.-noon | A Better High | Hodson Auditorium
Noon-1 p.m. | Lunch with PMs | Coblentz Dining Hall
1-1:30 p.m. | Title IX | Hodson Auditorium
1:30-2 p.m. | Sexual Assault Prevention | Hodson Auditorium
2-2:15 p.m. | Break
2:15-3:30 p.m. | Stuff-a-Plush | Whitaker Commons & Atrium
3:30-5 p.m. | Food Trucks & Yard Games | Quad
5-6:30 p.m. | Dinner with PMs | Coblentz Dining Hall
6:30-8 p.m. | Traditions Bingo hosted by AEB | Hodson Auditorium
8-9 p.m. | S'mores with PMs (optional) | Blazer Hall Fire Pit
9 a.m.-6 p.m. | Quiet Room | Coblentz Seminar Room
9-10 a.m. | Breakfast with PMs | Coblentz Dining Hall
10-10:30 a.m. | Class Photo | Coffman Chapel Steps
10:30-11:30 a.m. | Find Classrooms with PMs | Various Locations
11:30-noon | Break
Noon-1 p.m. | Lunch with PMs | Transfer Check-in | Coblentz Dining Hall
1-2 p.m. | Club/Identity Fair | Whitaker First Floor
2-3:30 p.m. | Pillar Talks I | Various Locations
3:30-4 p.m. | Break | Freeze Pops on the Quad
4-4:30 p.m. | Dinking Ceremony | Hodson Outdoor Theater
4:30-4:45 | Line-up for Convocation | Quad
4:45-5 p.m. | Process to Convocation (through Pergola) | Quad
5-6 p.m. | Convocation | Coffman Chapel*
6 p.m. | Dinner | Coblentz Dining Hall
9 a.m.-6 p.m. | Quiet Room | Coblentz Seminar Room
*While NSO concludes on Saturday, passive programming will take place on Sunday with PMs and RAs
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