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Preparing for Your First Semester at UNO
Now that you have enrolled in your first semester of classes at UNO, let's make sure you're set up for success!
After You Enroll in Classes at UNO
- New Student Resources
- Academic Calendar
- Accessibility Services
- Finances
- MavCARD
- Parking & Transportation
- Textbooks
- Tech Tips
- Explore Majors and Minors
- Discover Your Healthcare Career Path
Post-Enrollment To-Do List
You've done it! You've enrolled! Now, it's time to tie up all the loose ends and prepare for the beginning of the semester.
1. New Student Resources
At the 51社区, student success goes beyond the classroom. UNO offers essential services to support your college journey—academically, socially, and personally. Discover everything you need to thrive on campus. Student Life
Available Resources:
- Campus Dining – Delicious, flexible meal options for every lifestyle.
- Student Housing – Comfortable, convenient living steps from your classes.
- Campus Recreation – Fitness centers, sports, and wellness activities for all skill levels.
- Campus Safety – Round-the-clock services to keep the campus community safe.
- Durango's Advancement & Support Hub (DASH) – Centralized help for financial aid, enrollment, and student services.
- Health Services – On-campus healthcare and counseling to support your well-being.
- Military-Connected Resources – Dedicated assistance for military-affiliated students and families.
- Counseling and Psychological Services
Confidential mental health support, including individual counseling, crisis intervention, and workshops to promote emotional wellness. - UNO Child Care Center
On-campus child care services offering a safe, nurturing environment for children of UNO students, faculty, and staff. - Maverick Food Pantry - Supporting students facing food insecurity, the Maverick Food Pantry provides free, nutritious food options in a confidential and welcoming environment—because no Maverick should go hungry
- Student Legal Services - Get free legal advice and representation from licensed attorneys on issues like housing, traffic violations, and more. Student Legal Services helps you navigate legal challenges while focusing on your education.
2. Academic Calendar
As a new student, it can be hard to keep track of all the important dates throughout the semester, let alone know where to find all that information. We've made it simple by compiling all the dates, breaks, and other important dates and information in this Arts & Sciences Advising Academic Calendar!
3. Accessibility Services
The Accessibility Services Center (ASC) collaborates with students, administrators, faculty, and staff to ensure access to reasonable and appropriate student disability accommodations for academic programs, student involvement, and residence life. Visit the ASC website to find out more about the accommodations process and how to get started.
4. Finances
Navigating paying for college can be overwhelming, but UNO has excellent resources to help you! Our office of Financial Support & Scholarships can answer your questions related to the FAFSA, scholarships & grants, loans, and more. We also have the office of Cashiering and Student Accounts that can answer questions related to tuition & fees, refunds, student bills & accounts, payment plans, and past due balances.
Here are answers to some common financial questions:
- Q: When will I receive my bill for classes?
- A: Your tuition and fees for the Fall 2025 term will become viewable on MavLINK in July once tuition rates for the upcoming academic year are finalized.
- Q: Is there a way I can calculate how much my bill will cost before my tuition becomes viewable in July?
- A: Tuition rates and fees will not be finalized for the 2025-2026 academic year until July. You can view the tuition rates of the prior academic year and student fees from the prior year; however, these are subject to change and are not guaranteed to be indicative of the rates you will pay.
- Q: Once I register for classes, am I on the hook for paying for them?
- A: You are only responsible for paying for any classes you are enrolled in by Tuesday, September 2nd – the second day of the 2nd week of classes.
- Q: How do I pay my bill?
- A: You can find information on your options for paying your bill here.
- Q: I have other questions about paying for classes. Who can I contact?
- A: You can contact Cashiering & Student Accounts at 402.554.2324 or unocsa@unomaha.edu for more information
5. MavCARD
After you have enrolled for classes, it's time to get your MavCARD (student ID)! Visit the MavCARD Services website for instructions on how to upload a photo and get your card.
6. Parking & Transportation
Before classes begin, it's important to think about how you will get to campus every day. UNO has various parking garages and lots for personal vehicles, as well as a variety of sustainable options for commuting to, from, and between the UNO campuses. Visit the Parking Services website to begin planning for your transportation needs.
7. Textbooks
Textbooks for the Fall 2025 semester typically go on sale in The Maverick Store starting in August. You can find the textbooks required for your class through MavLINK - How to Buy Textbooks
8. Tech Tips
TechTips 2025 is your quick guide to the essential online tools at the University of Nebraska at 51社区. Inside, you’ll find everything you need to start with Canvas, MavLINK, MavCONNECT, Microsoft 365, and more.
- UNO MyPortal
Your one-stop digital gateway to academic tools, campus services, email, and personalized resources at UNO. MyPortal helps you stay organized and connected throughout your college journey.
Use this resource to stay connected, manage your classes, and maximize your UNO experience. - Tech Tips 2025
9. Explore Majors and Minors
Looking to explore your academic options at the University of Nebraska at 51社区? This page offers a complete list of undergraduate majors available at UNO. Whether you're planning your future career or still deciding on a path, use this resource to discover programs that match your interests and goals. - Majors
Interested in expanding your education beyond your major? UNO’s College of Arts and Sciences offers a wide variety of minors that allow you to explore new interests, enhance your degree, and stand out in the job market. This page is your guide to the many minors available to complement your academic journey. - Minors
10. Discover Your Healthcare Career Path
Explore 100+ healthcare careers with help from the Health Career Resource Center:
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Take BIOL 1060, a self-paced intro course offered year-round.
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Use HCRC’s online resources to explore career options.
- Meet with a Pre-Health Advisor to match careers to your strengths once you have explored the first few options.
Academic Success
Your path to academic success will involve honing a variety of complex skills that directly contribute to your ability to learn and study effectively. Before your first semester at UNO, you will want to explore the four academic success skills - Time Management, Learning Style, Communication & Self-Advocacy, and Wellness - highlighted in the interactive document below and identify the areas that you may need to work on.
Download a PDF copyMore Academic Success Skills
UNO Academic Resources
- Your Instructor - If you are struggling in a class or have questions about the material, be sure to talk to your instructor as soon as possible so they can help you!
- Language Lab - An English language support service where students can receive one-on-one help with grammar, vocabulary, reading, conversation, and other English language concerns.
- Math-Science Learning Center - Tutoring services for a variety of math and science subjects.
- Speech Center - Personalized support to help you create, improve, practice, & enhance both your presentations and overall skill as a speaker.
- Writing Center - Tutoring services for any writing project.
- Career Services - Connect with UNO Career Services for personalized career coaching, resume reviews, and job opportunities to launch your professional journey.
Getting Involved
According to (2011), there are 5 big reasons that students should get involved in their campus communities...
2. "It helps them build community: Since they're leaving their family and sometimes their friends behind, getting involved helps them discover new friends with similar interests."
3. "It allows them to discover their passions and strengths: These will follow them all through life. It allows them to discover what they don't like, too."
4. "It's a résumé builder: Freshman year is not too soon to begin thinking about positioning yourself for future employment."
5. "Sometimes, busier kids do better in all areas: This will vary a lot by the student, of course, but more free time does not always equal better grades. Being involved will require some organization and time management on the part of the student—and that's a good thing."
Involvement is by far the greatest part of college life, and there are tons of ways to get involved at UNO, whether through a student organization, doing student research, or taking a campus job. Please feel free to browse through the links below to see how you can get involved on campus.
Student Leadership, Involvement, and Inclusion at UNO
Experience all that the 51社区 offers beyond the classroom through its Student Life hub. From student organizations and leadership development to inclusive programming, UNO’s Office of Student Leadership, Involvement, and Inclusion (SLII) connects you to opportunities that empower, engage, and inspire.
- Student Organizations
- Greek Life
- Volunteering & Service
- Student Government
- Spirit & Tradition
- Maverick Productions
- Dance Marathon
- Competitive Sports
- Cultural Programs
- Study Abroad at UNO
Academic Opportunities
Campus Employment
Resources:
Mayfield, Julie. Mayfield, Lindsey. (2011, September 13). 5 Reasons for Getting Involved in College—And How to Go About It. US News & World Report. .