First-Year Student Checklist

Curious about your tasks during New Student Orientation (NSO) and your transition to MSU? Here’s a simple breakdown of the five checkpoints you’ll need to complete:

• Checkpoint 1: Getting Started – New undergraduate students must complete several tasks to kick off the NSO experience. These include submitting the Access & Technology survey, an Immunization Form, the Math Placement Assessment, and the Language Placement Assessments (if required by your major). It’s best for new students entering in the Fall to complete these assessments and surveys before their academic advising and course enrollment in June and July. New students entering in the Spring should aim to start these tasks in October and November before their advising and enrollment in January.
• Checkpoint 2: Complete the NSO D2L Experience Course – All new students are required to finish the virtual New Student Orientation course on Desire2Learn (D2L). This interactive module will help students learn about MSU and find key resources before the semester starts. Fall new students can access the NSO D2L course starting in May, while Spring students will gain access in November.
• Checkpoint 3: Advising and Enrollment – Once the NSO D2L course has been completed, students will be connected with an advisor to schedule an academic advising appointment and discuss course enrollment. Completion of the NSO D2L course is required before meeting with an advisor. After finishing the course, it is essential to monitor MSU email (including junk folders) for important messages from the advisor regarding the advising and enrollment process. Fall new students will begin their advising and enrollment experiences in June, whereas Spring new students will start this process in January.
• Checkpoint 4: NSO Engagement Opportunities – NSO offers podcasts and other virtual programming to assist students during the transition to MSU. This content will connect students, families, and supporters with various campus resources. Bi-weekly e-newsletters from NSO will provide updates about our ‘Spartan Orientation Station’ podcast series, webinar topics, next steps, and important deadlines as the semester approaches.
• Checkpoint 5: In-Person NSO Welcome Program – All new students are expected to attend the in-person Orientation program before the official semester begins. The Fall and Spring Welcome programs are specifically designed to help students transition into the MSU community, incorporating various activities and introductions to campus partners. Ongoing e-communication will provide details about MSU billing, residential engagement, and other important resources. NSO Welcome activities will take place between Move-In Day(s) and the start of the semester. Specific dates and times for in-person programming will be shared through the bi-weekly NSO newsletters.

NOTE: Transitioning to MSU can involve various departments, so an interactive checklist has been created to help students track progress throughout NSO. It is important to review the items listed to support growth during this Orientation experience!