Transitioning to College

Making the jump to RMC may be a big change, but it’s one you’ll never tackle alone. The New Student Transition and Orientation team, along with student captains, will walk the path alongside you – helping you find your way and find your place!

Read about your next few months and the team you’ll have around you.

Spring and Summer Months

From June to August, we are focused on helping students and families feel ready for the adventures ahead. In fact, new Yellow Jackets will receive regular communications from the Office of New Student Orientation beginning in early April with information on topics like:

Getting your email
Housing
Campus offices to get to know

review the new student checklist

Complete Your Housing Application

We know you’re eager to find out where you’ll live. Complete your Housing Application by June 1. The form takes less than 10 minutes to complete and will ask you questions about your sleeping habits, study habits, and general preferences. Then, we’ll assign your residence hall and roommate.

more about housing

A man and a woman transitioning to college sitting at a desk in front of a computer. — During New Student Registration Days, students will meet with a faculty advisor to help plan fall & January Term classes.

Attend new student registration day & family orientation day

Your very first official day on campus will be New Student Registration Day, where you’ll meet many new students like you and, importantly, register for classes!

You’ll RSVP for one of three available dates through the “New Student Orientation & Registration Day Form” located on MyMaconWeb. Dates for New Student Registration Days are as follows: Friday, June 21; Monday, June 24; Wednesday, June 26. Registration for this event begins in April, when access to MyMaconWeb opens to new students.

*New Student Registration Days will fill on a first-come, first-served basis. We know that schedules are busy. If you are unable to attend the dates provided, indicate that you require an alternate date on your form.

“The transition to RMC begins after a student decides to enroll and ends with the start of their second year. It takes time to find stability; through that process, there will be triumphs and bumps. Our students won’t navigate them alone. Our incredible Captains, and the New Student Orientation Leadership, are here for every student, and we want to meet them where they are on the journey.
Annie Keith, Director of New Student Orientation and Transitions

a word about families

We welcome families to be part of the transition process. Families will receive communications about experiences and resources geared toward their unique needs. This will include the opportunity to attend an optional in-person Family Orientation Programming during your student鈥檚 New Student Registration Day. YJ families are also invited to attend New Student Move-In & Check-in Day on Thursday, August 29th.聽

A group of people transitioning to college crossing a street. — During New Student Orientation, students will work closely with their captains to develop best practices for academic and extra-curricular life on campus!

Meet your captain and connect with your fleet

We want to make sure you’re met by familiar faces when you arrive at RMC! In mid-summer, you’ll hear from your New Student Orientation Captain, a peer mentor who will be your guide through orientation and welcome week (and beyond). You’ll also find out your “crew” – a group of new students (like you) who are all connected to your Captain.

more about captains

Moving In and Settling In

New Student Orientation

A group of transitioning college students cheering on a football field. — Seaworthy is a seminal event as part of Welcome Week, when new student teams, led by their captains, compete in a variety of games and competitions.

New students move-in first, to give you plenty of time to learn your way around and get oriented. Orientation and Welcome Week is full of shared experiences and initial connections that ease students into a new beginning.

All new students, both residential and commuters, are expected to attend day-long New Student Orientation programming.

Success Strategies

Transition doesn’t end after your first week, and that’s why the New Student Orientation and Transition team, and the whole campus community, continues our work throughout the first semester.

Your Captain will partner with a professor to guide you through a special non-credit course called Yellow Jacket Success Strategies, designed to help you fine-tune your skills to succeed in College.

about Yellow Jacket success strategies