New, Transfer, and
Returning
Student Orientation
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*View the Student and Parent Orientation brochures (PDF).
Watch A Personal Orientation Leader Invite!
Aloha Incoming Fall 2010 Students
We are excited to welcome you to your new home at UH Hilo. New Student Orientation will take place beginning on Monday evening, August 16, 2010 - Saturday August 21, 2010 for students and Parent orientation will begin alongside student orientation, but will end on Wednesday, 18, 2010. The anticipated date for new students to sign up for orientation will be mid- February so stay tuned!Why participate in orientation? To ensure your successful transition to university life, all new students are encouraged to sign-up for New, Transfer and Returning Student Orientation (NTRSO). At orientation, you will be provided the tools you need to succeed your first semester at UH Hilo, converse with new friends within your major, have the opportunity to meet with faculty and staff, and learn how to get involved and make the most of your college experience!
How long is orientation? Fall orientation is just under a week-long program for students and two and a half days for parents. Each day is a DIFFERENT day, with a variety of activities scheduled.
Please continue to check this website for updates and important information.
If you would like information about advising, particularly information about placement exams please visit the following website:
Advising Center
For questions or additional information regarding orientation, please contact the New Student Programs Office at 808-933-0732. Mahalo!
Why is Orientation Important?
The 2005 National Survey of Student Engagement Annual Report found that students who attended orientation:
- Were more involved in educationally enriching activities
- Perceived the campus environment to be more supportive
- Reported greater developmental gains during their first year of college
- Were more satisfied with their overall college experience
Interested in getting a glimpse of what Orientation week is like? Here's the Fall 2009 program: 
Mission Statement
The mission of New, Transfer, and Returning Student Orientation is to serve as a vehicle that welcomes and introduces each student and their families. The University of Hawai'i at Hilo is an intellectually stimulating, culturally diverse, and caring community. The goal of orientation is to enable each student to feel personally connected and invested in their own educational success. Orientation provides opportunities for students to engage in activities that will assist them in acquiring tools that will foster a safe and successful transition to the university. Orientation is a first step in developing students into civic-minded citizens of the community.
At orientation you will...
- Receive a UH Hilo Survival pack to include UH Hilo logo items, Community resources and special giveaways
- Receive supportive and personalized academic advising
- Get into small group student interaction with new and experienced students
- Receive personalized advising from faculty
- Have easy access to university staff to guide students' concerns and questions regarding campus life
- Get informed about financial assistance
- Find opportunities for leadership development through involvement with student organizations and community partners
- Celebrate a culturally diverse campus environment through traditions and cultural receptions
- Register to create a class schedule that is balanced and aligns with the students' academic goals
- Be exposed to service opportunities that can be either linked to an academic course, linked to a students' tuition (Americorp), or a practical learning environment
- Participate in career development workshops
- You will have FUN participating in activities and meeting new people
Parents are also an important part of orientation. They will receive resourceful parent sessions that will inform, clarify, and define the family's changing role in the student's college experience.