Hello again!
I remember being slightly stressed before registering for the first time. I wasn’t sure what to take. My best advice is to take the time now (before registration officially begins) and look at all the available classes. Start making possible schedules to see which classes work together. Hopefully you get your first choice in schedule, but you should have backups just in case.
I recommend taking a combination of general education requirements and electives. It’s tempting to get all your general education requirements out of the way, but then you won’t have a chance to be exploring your interests. Also look at what kind of classes you are taking. Rather than taking all writing classes you could take your symbolic reasoning general education requirement or your visual and performing arts.
Also the sooner you register, the better chance you have in getting your classes. I made sure I was up right for when registration begins. I was able to get all my classes that I wanted!
You should also think about how you want your schedule to be… would you rather have early morning classes to have the afternoons free or be able to sleep in. I found that I like having my classes close together and spread out among the days.
It seems like a lot but I promise it just takes planning ahead of time and remaining flexible. Also this schedule won’t be set in stone. You will be able to change your schedule after you meet with your advisor during Orientation.
Please set it up and remember to check it. Important emails from the Registrars’ Office and other UR programs will be sent only to your Richmond account. If you are attached to your other email account, you can have email from your Spidermail account forwarded to your other account.
The instructions are on this website question #12 http://is.richmond.edu/email/faq.htm#12
I remember the summer before my first year at UR, I was incredibly excited to be starting college, but also slightly nervous. I had never gone to away to school before so living on my own was going to be an entirely new experience. I spent a lot of time buying anything and everything for my dorm room from my comforter to lots of storage compartments since I tend to overpack…
Here I am with my older sister (she graduated in 2005 from UR) in front of the Westhampton College Deanery. We had just finished moving in the majority of my stuff into my dorm room. I was going to pick up my Faces book!
The summer before I worked part time as an office assistant on campus so I got to know my way around Richmond before I got there. For fun, I went to the beach a few times during the summer right after school ended and later with my family. I spent a lot of time with my high school friends. I remember my mailbox was full of all these forms that needed to be filled out (not everything was online). I missed a few deadlines because I didn’t really read the letters after awhile. What I wish I would have done was mark down on a big calendar all the due dates for everything. You’re lucky because this year that website keeps track of everything for you… just don’t forget to check it. It is much easier to send it in on time rather than late!
The best advice I was given before arriving on campus was to make the most of my college experience… you only get 4 years so you should try anything and everything. I was pretty quiet my first few weeks of school. I didn’t really know anyone on campus so it was a completely new experience for me. What I didn’t realize was that I wasn’t the only one… college is a new experience for everyone. Each year is a fresh start!
During Orientation, you’re not the only one who doesn’t know many people! So take the time get to know your Orientation group or your roommate’s Orientation group. Soon you’ll find people that you click with and also try out all the new activities on campus! Just because you go to one meeting doesn’t mean you have to keep going. We all understand that you are trying to find what you are interested in so keep looking and hopefully you’ll find something.
Here I am with most of my first year hall before Proclamation Night. None of us knew what to expect. I’m the second one from right in the front row.
It was really tempting for me to always be calling my friends from home, but at the same time don’t forget to know everyone around you. Of course keep in touch with everyone but don’t miss out on anything!
First off congrats on being accepted to University of Richmond! I’m so excited for you and slightly jealous that you have your entire college career ahead of you. I’m your Peer Advising Associate (PAA) and am here to answer any questions that you have and hopefully get you excited for when you start being a Richmond Spider. I’ll also be updating my blog throughout the summer with common questions you might have.
I know you will start to have a lot of different forms and emails coming to you. An easy way to keep track of your deadlines is to visit this website: http://newspiders.richmond.edu/
***Your Housing form is due Thursday, May 15!
I have really enjoyed making University of Richmond my own, but I also remember how I had so many questions during my adjustment. Feel free to start commenting on my blog or emailing me at christina.moore@richmond.edu!
Enjoy your summer 
