Orientation
What is a good place for me to eat?
For students with a meal plan: dining Halls will begin serving food on August 16 for breakfast. Before that, you have the option to purchase interim meals for $25.13 per day. You can purchase these at the front desk of Selleck Quadrangle or at University Housing Contracts office (third floor of Willa Cather Dining Complex). Interim meals served in Willa Cather.
Before that (or for students living off campus), there are a variety of places to eat within walking distance of campus. There’s also food in the Nebraska Union food court. On August 12, 13, & 14, Welcome Team will take students downtown for lunch and dinner each day, at the students' expense (with the exception of Welcome Dinners on August 14). Most meals cost about $7-12. More details on Welcome Week calendar.
Can I move into my residence hall today?
You can move into your residence hall today, but will need to pay $36 per day for early move in until the 16th. This will be charged to student bill; you do not need to pay on arrival.
Where can a student get a bus pass and is it free?
Bus passes will be given along with NCard before or during orientation. It is included in the student fees. Students can also download a pass on their phone using the Token Transit. Instructions to register on parking.unl.edu.
Where can I meet my advisor?
Students can meet with an advisor by making an appointment in MyPlan (on Blackboard) and they will let you know where and when you can meet with an advisor. Advisors will also be at Triage on Wednesday, Aug 15; this is ONLY for students who need to enroll in classes or make schedule changes, and does not apply to IEP students.
How can students meet new people?
Students should get involved and find people with similar interests. They should attend events that UNL provides and use facilities on campus like outdoor adventures center or the campus recreation center to get involved in sports to meet new people.
When is the English Placement Exam?
This is only for Intensive English Program (IEP) students. It’s on Wednesday, August 15th at 8 a.m. in Othmer 106. Register on PIESL website, bring two forms of ID (passport and NCard).
Is there a hotel nearby UNL?
There are a lot of hotels near campus or on the bus route with rates between $70 - $120. See the hotel listing.
How does a student buy a car?
Buying a car requires a valid U.S. license, insurance and other documentation. It’s best to talk to the Department of Motor Vehicles before buying one. On Friday, August 17, NSE will host a "Driving in the US" info session to provide more information about how to do this.
Where can a student find resource centers?
Resource centers are all around campus. They are located in several buildings based on their specialties. For example, the Math Resource Center is in Avery and the English Writing Center is in Andrews. There are also resource centers or rooms for chemistry, physics, and computer science.
What are good ways to find out about scholarships?
Students can look up scholarships on their MyRed account or talk to an advisor about scholarships.
Where do I get my NCard, bank account, bus pass, cellphone or sim card etc?
NCard: NCard office in Nebraska Union, or at orientation on Wednesday, August 15 during campus tour.
Bank account/cell phone: At the essentials fair on Wednesday, August 15th. Several offices will be there in different booths to get students what they need.
Bus pass: Students are given physical passes when receive NCard. Can register for mobile bus pass online (instructions at parking.unl.edu).
Can a student still apply for a housing contract?
Yes, a student can complete Phase 1 of the Housing Contract and stay in a hotel until you get a confirmation from Housing that you can move in. This is done through the student's MyRed.
Are there any taxi services available?
Taxis are an expensive option for transportation within Lincoln. HappyCab is a large taxi company. However, Uber or Lyft are alternative “taxi” apps, but the drivers are not taxi drivers. This is generally cheaper than taxis unless it is a very busy time and the prices are surging. If the student wants to download the Uber or Lyft app, they can do that on their smartphone.
Do students have to attend lab sections?
Yes, lab sections are compulsory and students work with the equipment necessary to complete an assignment. Attendance is mandatory.
How do students look for jobs?
Students should visit Career Services to look for on campus jobs. International students can only work 20 hours during the school year.
Do I need to take the Math Placement Exam?
Every new student at UNL needs to take the math placement exam except for Intensive English students and some Exchange students. You can access it through NSE’s website (nse.unl.edu) under the “placement exams” tab if you haven’t taken it before. Can be taken up to three times online (once per 24 hours).
Can a student ask us to look up an address?
Yes, we can help look up an address of a hotel or a student's friend.
Can international students rent cars?
International students can rent cars with a valid foreign license. Students can also drive Zip cars, which are short-term rental cars, located in a few spots on campus. Students can rent by the hour or by the day; gas & insurance is included; can find more details online.
What is recitation?
Recitations are additional classes that you will meet with a Teaching Assistant once a week to go over the material that you learned for the week. This is where you will be assigned homework and assignments as well.
What is a good way to manage your finances?
Students should plan a budget and can visit the money management center in the Nebraska Union. Students should also know how to receive and send money through their own banks, and keep in mind of the fees.
What if I'm not enrolled in any classes?
IEP students must take the English Language Test on August 15 at 8 a.m. in Othmer 106. They will then be placed in courses according to their test scores. If the student is not in IEP, they should attend Academic Triage during orientation on Wednesday, August 15. They have to attend orientation anyway, and Triage is the academic advising portion of orientation. Full admits ONLY can also go to the NSE office before then to enroll.
What if the student does not know where to live?
Make sure you ask if they want to live on campus. If they say yes, help them complete their contract. If not, tell them they’ll need to go to a hotel temporarily. Give them the hotel list and help them select one if necessary. Offer to make calls to hotels. Give them a list of apartment options if they want to live off campus.
How do students get transport from the airport?
We have a shuttle that can transport students from the airport to campus or anywhere near, this is highly encouraged. They will need to take a taxi if they are headed elsewhere.
What are office hours?
Office hours is time when professors are available to help students with the course. Use office hours to build up your network, they are always happy to talk about their subject otherwise they would have not taught it.
Where can students get help with Visa issues?
Students can get help with Visa issues at ISSO (International Student Scholar Office) located in Seaton Hall behind Selleck. DO NOT ASK YOUR FRIENDS FOR VISA ADVICE OR IGNORE ISSO.