Meet your 2024-2025 Orientation Leaders. We're excited to welcome you to the UW!
Everything! I love the people, the opportunities, the architecture, and more! What else could I ask for?
Put yourself out there, step outside of your comfort zone, and push yourself to do hard things (it's okay to make mistakes)!
Walking around the Union Bay Natural Area on East Campus, especially after a stressful midterm or final, is incredibly relaxing and stress-relieving.
Mentally prepare yourself for the workload and start studying for exams early (I recommend a week. Trust me, it is worth it!). Also, get involved. Join a club or two and meet others not in your major.
Your mental health matters just as much as your grades do. Do not sacrifice your health just to get a few extra hours of studying in. Spend that time relaxing, hanging out with friends, or getting involved in whatever way creates the best environment for you!
Every first year NEEDS to experience a post-first finals celebration. However that may look like to you, there is no greater feeling than finishing all of your finals and doing whatever you want, knowing you have the next two weeks for break after autumn quarter is over.
I absolutely loved my time abroad and I would highly recommend that every UW student consider UW's Study Abroad programs. In the Summer of 2023 I had the pleasure of studying abroad in Italy where myself, two professors, and 23 other UW students learned about the food systems, history, and culture that make up Italy. It was a once in a lifetime experience that I am so happy to have taken part in!
Say YES! If an opportunity arrises that you are even slightly interested in, consider saying "yes." Some of my favorite memories have been made by saying yes to things like grabbing coffee, going on weekend trips, taking late night drives around Seattle, and handing out in a friends room. College is a great time to try new things and I encourage all students to put themselves out there and try something that's a little outside their comfort zone while at UW.
I love the Commuter & Transfer Commons in the HUB as it has a great community, lockers and other amenities available, and in general is a great place to study.
Get involved with RSOs!
One must-experience for new students at UW is attending Husky football games at the iconic Husky Stadium. The energy and excitement of game day, coupled with the camaraderie of cheering on our team alongside fellow students, alumni, and fans, create an unforgettable experience that embodies the spirit of Husky pride. Plus, it's a great way to immerse yourself in UW's rich tradition of athletics and school spirit.
For new students embarking on their UW journey, my advice would be to embrace opportunities for exploration and growth. Take the time to connect with peers, faculty, and staff who share your interests and passions, and don't hesitate to seek out support and resources when needed. Additionally, don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and try new things – whether it's joining a student organization, participating in research, or exploring the vibrant city of Seattle, UW offers countless opportunities for personal and academic enrichment.
My favorite spot on campus is the quad because of the cherry blossoms in the Spring.
Get involved in a bunch of RSOs and take every opportunity that presents itself.
I love how the University of Washington has so many opportunities for students to get involved in the Husky community! On a campus as big as ours, there are so many resources available to students and so many people with shared interests to connect with!
My advice for new students is to be the person to make plans first. I know it may be scary or overwhelming to ask people to hang out, but the truth is, everybody wants to be invited and everybody wants to feel included so being the person to reach out is a great way to make friends and make memories in your time here at UW.
Fritz Hedges Waterway Park near the Fishery Sciences Building! It is an awesome spot to relax and gaze at the stunning skies.
Don't skip classes and build a consistent sleep schedule to feel your best and stay on top of your game.
Pysch 210- Human Sexuality! Such an informative yet funny class.
My advice is to use all the UW resources available to you! Also- to attend dawg daze, it’s such a great week.
My favorite spot on campus is Denny Field. During Spring quarter, I like to study, have picnics, and spend time with friends on Denny Field. It provides a great space to get a group together as well as spend time outside.
Ask for help! If you have a question, someone else is also probably wondering the same thing. There is no shame in using the resources or asking questions. If you are unsure of what class to take or which RSO to join, reach out to someone and ask.
Welcome week for new students, also join clubs and seminars.
Never be scared to ask people, be outgoing and get out of your comfort zone!
The Husky Union Building is a great place for both eating and studying and I love hanging out there with my friends on rainy days. At the bottom floor of the building, there are also tons of places to game and have fun with friends.
Take it slow and enjoy your time here. Try and open yourself up to new activities, even if it means getting out of your comfort zone! It takes time to adjust and be graceful to yourself as you do so.
I love that the University of Washington is very accepting of it's students and is very accommodating.
Make sure to have a support system in place because such a large school can be intimidating.
HRC building for population health - I stay here often in between my classes and its a good comfortable place to study, there is food and its always bustling with new students in and out.
Don’t try to fit in- everything will place itself into your life and don’t rush into things.
There is a lot of diversity and activities that you can join and be part of.
Don't be afraid to take initiative to chat with your classmates and be involve with the many activities that UW has to offer.
Dawg Daze! There's nothing quite like it all year round, so take full advantage of it while it lasts! Go to the events (even if you aren't sure you're going to like them), go to the club meetings, and go ask new people to do things (even if it feels a bit awkward)!
Reach out early! I know this advice is often used when it comes to stuff like not getting behind in class, but it also applies to getting into clubs, forming friendships with people in your classes, and getting to know people in these first few weeks!
Seek out RSO's: Involvement in clubs fosters personal development by providing opportunities to develop leadership skills, teamwork, communication abilities, and time management.
Stay curious and open-minded: embrace the opportunity to explore new subjects, perspectives, and experiences. Keep an open mind, ask questions, and be willing to challenge your assumptions. University is a time for intellectual growth and discovery.
I love the Cherry Blossoms on the Quad in the Spring and the Rainier view on the sunny days!
People are nice, and if you have any question, it does not hurt to ask!
I love all of the opportunities and resources here because it truly helps me as I move towards achieving my goals. I also love the beautiful campus!
Don't be afraid to engage in conversations with new people.
Don't be afraid to take some time for yourself to discover who you are. You don't have to fully know what you want to do or who you want to be for the rest of your life right now—use this new university setting as an opportunity to listen to yourself and learn a few things along the way!
By far the most unforgettable Dawg Daze event is the movie night hosted in the Quad! Everyone cheers, claps, and cries together and it's so nice to feel connected to so many people at once.
I have a couple, the third floor bridge in the Allen library is the best to study. Although, just for the good vibes I really enjoy going to the west campus fitness center!
It is okay to feel overwhelmed, allow yourself to feel those emotions in order to clear your head.
Create healthy habits that balance your academics, social life, and mental health. But most importantly, commit to them! Striving to keep these good habits will keep you on track for a smooth transition into college life and adulthood!
Late Night Carnival! There is nothing like meeting so many new people that are the same boat as you, arriving to campus looking to make connections while the Husky Band is rocking out on the steps of Suzzallo Library.
My favorite spot on campus is Suzzallo Library. There is one specific spot that has really big windows to allow the light to shine in, so when I want a break from studying, I can just stare out the window and take in how beautiful the day is. Suzzallo also has that newly renovated Starbucks, which I go to almost every day!
My advice for new students is to really look into how you can integrate your hobbies into your UW experience. I found that to be a really great way to form really strong friendships. There are over 1000 RSOs here at UW, so I definitely recommend taking a look at them to see which ones stand out to you the most!
I think attending RSO events to see if you are interested in getting involved, it helped me connect with people in my major and build a sense of community & belonging.
Take things one step at a time. It's okay to feel overwhelmed but you don't have to have it all figured out on day 1.
I really love how kind the TA's are! All of my TA's so far have been so approachable and always want to help everyone out. They make time to talk with people and form connections and are always enthusiastic about their respective subjects! It can be intimidating to approach professors and ask for help, but when there are helpful and kind TA's it makes the experience in the classes so much more accessible and enjoyable!
Don't give up! There may come a time when you will face rejection or failure (college is hard!) but don't let this get you down. There will always be another opportunity that you can pursue, even if something goes wrong the first time!
The carnival during Dawg Daze is very fun and involving! It has so many booths, interactive activities, and food that really made a good impression on the beginning of my Husky experience! I went with my roommates and I had a lot of fun with them.
Don't overload yourself with taking the most challenging courses or feeling like you have to stay on a direct path to your major. Try out classes that aren't necessarily connected to your intended major, you might find a new interest or make new friends!
Its community. Students, professors, and faculty are kind, and they are willing to help you with any situations you're going through, either academic or personal.
Take at least five minutes to check as many resources as possible that are provided to you either by email, in the Orientation sessions, through a classmate, etc. You will one that will help you in your academic journey.
I would highly recommend that new students participate in a FIG (First-Year Interest Group)! It's an incredible opportunity to connect with a group of fellow first-year students who are also eager to explore campus and the city!
It's perfectly fine if you don't find your group or community right away! Discovering who you are and learning more about yourself is a journey that everyone goes through when starting university. Don't lose hope and keep trying to put yourself out there!
I love the diversity of students and perspectives at UW. I have met so many interesting people with such different backgrounds and it cultivates a very unique community unlike anywhere I have been before.
Talk to your professors! Office hours can be a bit intimidating, but your professors really DO want to help you understand the material.
My favorite spot on campus is Denny Hall because I love the windows and sun that hits when you sit inside.
I would advise students to manage their time, but to also surround themselves with people who genuinely care about you.
120 Mary Gates Hall Box 352825
Seattle, WA 98195-2825
Mary Gates Hall 120
Academic Year: Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m.– 4:30 p.m.
Summer: Mon-Thurs 7:30 a.m.– 4:30 p.m., Fri 8 a.m.–12 p.m.
Winter Break: Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Commuter and Transfer Commons (HUB 141)
Academic Year: Mon-Fri 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Breaks & Summers: Closed
Closed during University holidays.
206-543-4905 (Voice)
206-207-5564 (Text)
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