The Ultimate Ole Miss Freshman Guide: Navigating Your First Year

Embarking on your freshman year at the University of Mississippi, affectionately known as Ole Miss, is a thrilling and transformative experience. This guide aims to provide incoming freshmen with essential information and advice to navigate their first year successfully, covering academics, campus life, and personal growth.

Academics: Finding Your Path and Thriving

Exploring Majors with Freshman Studies

For students who are undecided about their major, the Freshman Studies program offers a unique opportunity to explore various academic options. This program allows you to delve into your interests and compare different majors before making a final decision. Enrolling as Freshman Studies student provides the same financial aid and social opportunities as any other UM student but also benefit from extra staff support and course options to help them identify their best path to a future career.

With over 100 majors to choose from at the University of Mississippi, Freshman Studies provides a structured approach to finding the perfect fit. The Center for Student Success and First Year Experience (CSSFYE) plays a crucial role in guiding students through this exploration process. Highly experienced advisors in CSSFYE can help you find a path that matches your interests and career path. Specialized courses provide guided exploration of academic success, career options, and personal abilities and interests. On average, 15% of the entering class hasn't declared a major when they arrive in August.

It's important to note that you must select a major by the time you complete 45 credit hours, typically within 1-2 years.

Recommended Classes for Freshman Studies Students

To make the most of the Freshman Studies program, consider enrolling in these recommended courses:

EDHE 105: Freshman Year Experience (3 hours academic credit)
This course, offered in the fall semester, is specifically designed to help first-year students adjust to university life. Special sections are available specifically for Freshman Studies students. These special sections include a larger career and major exploration component. It focuses on developing a better understanding of the learning process, acquiring essential survival skills, and initiating the major/career exploration process. Furthermore, it introduces students to the mission, values, and constituencies of a comprehensive public university, as well as ethical and social concerns affecting its functioning.
EDLD 201: Career Decision Making (3 hours academic credit)
Offered in the spring semester, this engaging course explores career development through various methods. Throughout the semester, you'll develop self-awareness and career planning skills using career development theories, self-assessment tools, decision-making models, and hands-on occupational exploration. You’ll hear from representatives of each academic school who will share insights about their degree programs and what graduates are up to.
As part of this course, you might be asked to reflect on your past aspirations and current interests. For instance, consider what careers excited you in elementary and high school, what skills you hoped to use, and what others say you are good at.

Read also: Freshman Campaigning Tips

Investigating career possibilities is another key component. Resources like "What Can I Do With This Major?", the Occupational Outlook Handbook, and O*Net can provide valuable insights. Reflect on what you learn:
- What is the most interesting thing you learned about this career path from your research?
- What did you like the most about the career you chose to investigate?
- What did you dislike the most about the career you chose to investigate?
- From the information you gathered, is this career a good fit for you? Why or why not?
Interviewing or shadowing an expert in a field that interests you can also be incredibly beneficial. Ask about their career path, typical entry-level jobs, necessary skills, rewards, challenges, and advice for someone entering the field.

Academic Support and Developmental Courses

The University of Mississippi provides various forms of academic support to ensure student success. Students with an ACT English sub score of 17, 18, or 19 are encouraged to enroll in developmental courses. Some courses may require a minimum standard test score as a prerequisite.

General Academic Policies

The policies and regulations contained in the University of Mississippi Catalog serve as a guide for students. The University reserves the right to change or withdraw courses; change fees, rules, and schedules for admission, registration, instruction, and graduation; and change other regulations affecting the student body at any time.

Campus Life: Getting Involved and Making Connections

Orientation: Your First Step

Orientation is crucial for getting familiar with campus life, connecting with resources, and preparing for a successful start at Ole Miss. Students beginning classes in Summer or August will be able to sign up for orientation in March in your Enrollment Portal! Each session has a maximum capacity, so please do not book any lodging or travel until you have officially signed up for your session and paid your enrollment fee. We strongly encourage you to attend an in-person session if you are able, but we do offer one virtual option for those unable to travel to campus for orientation. There is also an August option that coincides with freshman move-in.

Read also: Navigating Ole Miss Housing

Orientation Dates:

A variety of orientation dates are available, including options for Honors students, various freshman sessions throughout the summer, and an August session.

Honors: May 18 - 19th
Freshman 1: May 20 - 21
Freshman 2: May 28 - 29
Freshman 3: June 1 - 2
Freshman 4: June 4 - 5
Freshman 5: June 8 - 9
Freshman 6: June 11 - 12
Freshman 7: June 15 - 16
Freshman 8: June 17 - 18
Freshman 9: June 22 - 23
Freshman 10: June 25 - 26
Freshman 11: June 29 - 30
Freshman 12: July 1 - 2
Freshman 13: July 6 - 7
Freshman 14: July 8 - 9
August Freshman: August 18 - 19
Virtual Freshman date: July 10th

Orientation Registration and Fees:

When registering for orientation, students will pay their non-refundable enrollment fee, which completes your orientation registration and confirms your intent to enroll at the University of Mississippi. The $250 fee is the same no matter which orientation date or format you choose. Each student is allowed up to 3 guests at orientation at no additional cost.

You can register for summer orientation, AFTER you have completed/paid your housing application. In order to register for classes at orientation, you must submit your health records.

To register:

Go online to your Enrollment Portal
Sign in with your WebID and password.
Once you log in, select the Orientation sign up option
Complete the form, and click submit.
Your enrollment fee(s) can be paid online with a credit or debit card, or by bank draft.

If your plans change after you have registered for an orientation session, please log back into the registration system to change to another session. Log back into the registration system to add a parent to your session.

Orientation Schedule and What to Bring:

Freshman orientation is a day and a half of programming with two tracks - one for new students and one for parents/family members.

Before attending orientation, send your health forms to Student Health Services. You MUST have your health forms turned in, or you will be unable to register for classes at orientation! If you want to order your Student ID ahead of time, send in a photograph of yourself and completed ID form to the ID Center to have your student ID made.

The most important thing to bring is a positive attitude and willingness to participate in the program.

Staying Overnight on Campus:

Students attending freshman orientation have the option to stay overnight in a residence hall on campus at no cost for the first night of their session. This gives you a chance to experience campus life and connect with other new Rebels! Each room includes two twin-size beds and a private bathroom. Be sure to bring your own linens, pillow, toiletries, and other essentials-these are not provided. If you have a preferred roommate also attending orientation, you can request to room together. If not, a roommate will be randomly assigned.

Family & Guest Accommodations: If your family plans to stay in Oxford during orientation, we recommend booking a hotel early as availability may be limited. Check out The Inn at Ole Miss to stay on campus. Use the promo code OleMissBound for a 10% discount during orientation. Based on availability, exclusion dates may apply.

Student Organizations and Activities

Getting involved in campus organizations is a fantastic way to meet people, explore interests, and enhance your college experience.

Greek Life

Greek life is a significant part of the Ole Miss experience. Joining a fraternity or sorority can provide a strong sense of community, social opportunities, and leadership development.

Housing

Consider different housing options, such as dorms, off-campus houses or apartments, and fraternity or sorority houses, to find the best fit for your needs and preferences.

Advice from Current Students

Many current Ole Miss students offer valuable advice for incoming freshmen:

Build Friendships Intentionally: "Intentionally try to build friendships by being aware of others' emotions. This year of transition is the best opportunity you will have to make lasting friendships, and the more you are aware of how you are treating people, the stronger these relationships will be." - Sally Boswell
Stay True to Yourself: "Ground yourself in your honest identity and personality. People's perceptions of you can warp who you think you are." - Brock Huerkamp
Prioritize Well-being: "Always eat good food, no matter how much money you have! I would rather have an empty wallet and a full stomach! Also do not be ashamed if you end up doing bad in classes! Ask for help, get tutored, do not be scared or embarrassed to admit that you need help." - Lauren Threadgill
Balance Social Life and Personal Time: "Don’t feel bad or left out when you decide to stay in instead of going out, there will be limitless times to go out and sometimes it’s worth staying in. Don’t feel down when you still haven’t found your friend group at the end of freshman year, give it time and don’t just settle for whatever group is easiest - all it takes is one or two good friend’s and you will be ok. Also C-store pizza sticks are always the move after a long night." - Lucy Coker
Manage Finances and Get Involved: "Spend your money wisely. Apply for as many scholarships as you can. GET INVOLVED. Care about what is going on around your campus, as in the actual things that are going on that are affecting our student body" - Leah Davis
Be Open to New Experiences: "Be open to different people and different ideas and say yes to spontaneous hangouts/doing random things with random people. You don't have to stay in every night." - Savannah Day
Surround Yourself with Positive Influences: “Focus on those friends that push you to be better.” - Ryoma Thomas
Adapt Your Study Habits: "Don’t beat yourself up if you find yourself wondering why college is so hard when high school was so easy. You will have to learn how to study all over again in college. Everyone has to. College is an entirely different game. If you learn this early on in the year it helps a lot more because you have plenty of time to try new methods and really perfect your college studying." - Brynn Trahan
Enjoy the Journey: "Don't forget to enjoy yourself and have fun. Your grades don't define you. Get involved on campus from the start, you'll regret it if you don't" - Mary Morgan Grantham
Find Your Balance: "Finding a supporting group of people that you love to be around is the key to a positive freshman year experience. Studying is extremely important, but don't let it consume you. There are three elements of college life: sleep, social, and studying. You must sacrifice one of those in order to have the other two." - Joe Molina
Focus on Personal Growth: "Don't try to compete with people around you, work your hardest in school and in other organizations and be fulfilled on your own! Everyone is stressed and busy, so use time together to take a break--not compare planners." - Tina Scheuermann
Embrace Opportunities: "Get involved and put yourself out there, regardless of what it is. When you do that you are able to grow and appreciate more and more what our school has to offer. Also Cracker Barrel is worth the drive to Batesville." - Morgan Blythe
Be Yourself: "Be weird (or different); act weird. Don't act like everyone else. Be thankful for the path that forms from being weird or different!" - JC Pride
Be Intentional and Value Your Time: "You are never "too cool" or "too good" to be friends with anybody. College is filled with so many diverse people with different backgrounds and everybody is worthy of your time because of that. With that being said, your time is the most valuable thing you have to offer so be intentional with it - friendships, school, extra curricular, jobs, service work, etc. You are going to fail eventually; it's up to you to let it break you or make you. Your grades do not define you and live in the present. The work will get done but value your friendships and your time in the present (just not to the point where you don't think about your upcoming assignments due). Lastly, enjoys every moment because it'll be over before you know it." - Sara Valentine
Listen to Others: "Just stop and listen. Sounds cliche, but everyone has a unique story to tell and it's important to listen to & learn from them. This campus is full of amazing people; don't miss an opportunity to learn & grow from someone because you didn't listen." - Parker Blaylock

The Ole Miss Experience

Experiences shared by current students highlight the unique atmosphere and opportunities at Ole Miss:

Football Season: Football season is one of the most exciting times of the year. The grove is packed and the vaught is exploding with energy!
The Square: Spend your free nights on the square! Whether it’s going out with friends for dinner, shopping, or more!

General Studies: Creating Your Own Path

The Office of General Studies serves students who want the freedom to explore or the flexibility to customize their education around their goals, with the support of experienced faculty & staff.

Ambassador Program

Consider joining the Ambassador Program, an expert team of faculty & advisors to help with academic exploration and professional navigation.

Advising

Take advantage of MDS & BUS Advising and Freshman Studies Advising to explore interests and build expertise.

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