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Orientation and Assessment Program for New Degree Students

First year and transfer students begin their UNH Manchester experience at Orientation where they learn how to navigate college life and access the opportunities and resources available to help them succeed.

Orientation Schedule for First Year and Transfer Students, Spring Semester 2010

• Wednesday, December 9, 2009 - 10:00 to 1:00pm or 6:00 to 9:00pm

Orientation sessions include:

• An introduction to the UNH Manchester learning community and the people and resources available to support student success
• Overview of UNH Manchester academic programs and degree and major requirements
• Introduction to on- and off-campus activities, programs and services
• Learning how to use the UNH portal, MyUNH
• Math and English placement testing
• Campus tours
• School ID and parking passes
• Guides to student information systems and grades

Orientation Logistics

Students must register for Orientation in advance by contacting the Academic Counseling Office at 641-4170 or email to unhm.counseling@unh.edu.

Students who attend Orientation will be able to schedule an individual appointment with an academic counselor and will register, and pay for classes in the few days immediately following orientation.

Parking for Orientation
is available in Arms Lot behind the University Center. Please read the information below regarding parking during the day and night sessions.

• Day Session:A City of Manchester Parking Officer will direct students to the designated parking spaces. Please use the Arms Lot entrance directly behind University Center. Students will be issued parking stamps to be placed on the dashboard of their vehicles.
• Night Session: No parking stamps are required. Parking is free after 5:30 PM.

Students must complete the assessment tests before registering for class. Contact the Center for Academic Enrichment to learn more about Placement Testing or review the following schedule.

Students must check-in one hour prior to the start of Orientation. During that time, students will get their ID cards, email accounts and learn how to access "MyUNH", the UNH campus information system.

Placement Testing

Freshman must select two assessment times, one for English and one for Math. The assessment tests take about 1 1/2 hours each and will be offered on the following dates:

Subject	Date	Time	Location
Math*	Monday, December 7, 2009	6:00 PM	TBA
Math*	Tuesday, December 8, 2009	10:00 AM & 6:00 PM	TBA
Math*	Saturday, December 12, 2009	10:00 AM	TBA
English	Tuesday, December 8, 2009	10:00 AM	Computer Lab
English	Thursday, December 10, 2009	6:00 PM	Computer Lab
English	Friday, December 11, 2009	10:00 AM	Computer Lab

*Bring a calculator to the math assessment.

If you would like to prepare for the assessments, you can do so in the following ways:

• Read as much as you can between now and the day of the English assessment, and practice remembering what you read.
• Take practice reading tests found in SAT preparation books or CD's.
• Go on-line to find practice problems in mathematics at either www.free-ed.net or www.sosmath.com. If you are thinking about taking Calculus, you can go to Sample Test (PDF) to find out what might be your weak areas in algebra and pre-calculus.

Parking for Placement Testing:

• Day Testing Session: Students will be required to pay for parking by using the Pay & Display Meters in Arms lot.
• Night Testing Session: Free parking is available in Arms lot after 5:30 PM.

Students with disabilities who require testing accommodations are advised to call the UNH Manchester Center for Academic Enrichment at 641-4113 to make arrangements.

Transfer students do not need to register for the English assessment test, however, some transfer students will need to register for the math assessment test. Students who have not transferred a Group 2 Quantitative Reasoning course or have not taken a math course at UNH within the past year will need to take the math assessment. Your orientation invitation will indicate whether or not you need to take the math assessment. Bring a calculator to the math assessment. Assessment times and dates are posted above on this page.

We encourage new students to attend orientation to learn about the college, its programs and services, and become comfortable with the college environment. Here are some comments made anonymously by students who attended orientation in previous years:

"I liked Orientation and I am glad I came. I would feel lost without it."

"Orientation was very helpful. It put to rest a lot of nervousness and uneasiness about the unknown. I think the key to success which was always brought up in discussions is to ask questions, absorb as much knowledge as you can and study hard - get involved in school. This was reassuring and inspiring."

"I think the Freshman Orientation program that was offered here was very helpful. The fact that the group was small made me feel more like a 'real person' than a number, or someone just filling up space. The first day when we learned everyone's name, helped us to feel less alone I think, and it was helpful to meet kids who are more or less in the same situation that I am in."

"All the people we met, whether fellow students or faculty, were very friendly and seemed more than willing to help us get the most out of UNHM. I certainly feel more comfortable now about starting school here in the fall."

"It was interesting to find out what others felt, to know you're not alone."

"Orientation gave me an insight on what to expect when I go to classes, registration, and also about what people are like in college. I liked talking with different people and getting to know things like, Financial Aid and the Learning Center. Orientation had a friendly and comfortable atmosphere."