Graduate Student Orientation

Welcome to National Louis University! Graduate student orientation is the first step in successfully starting your graduate program! 

National Louis University graduate orientation for masters and doctoral students is designed to make you feel excited and prepared as you begin your first graduate quarter at NLU! This comprehensive orientation will include information to ease your transition into graduate school, introduce you to campus services and involvement opportunities, and show you just how much NLU has to offer. 

Your graduate start is as easy as 1, 2, 3!

• Step 1: Complete NLUReady, created to help you become a successful NLU student. It should take you approximately 30 minutes to complete; you can stop and return to the modules as your schedule permits. The information within orientation will be available throughout your time enrolled at NLU so that you can reference back at any time. 
  
  
• Step 2: Attend the various 1 hour webinars offered within Connect2NLU. The webinar topics and dates are as follows:

  • Title	Date and Registration	Pre-recorded Video
    Tips for Academic Success: Meet with Learning Support and the Advising team to learn about the different resources  and tips available for you.	Date: Monday, September 8, 2025 Time: 5:30 - 6:30pm CST Registration: Click here to register  Date: Tuesday, September 16, 2025 Time: 12:00 - 1:00pm CST Registration: Click here to register	Video: Tips for Academic Success
    Funding Your Education: Meet with the Student Finance Office to learn about the various options available to you to finance your education.	Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025 Time: 10:00 - 11:00am CST Registration: Click here to register  Date: Monday, September 15, 2025 Time: 5:30 - 6:30pm CST Registration: Click here to register	Video: Funding Your Education
    Caring for Yourself: Meet the Counseling and Wellness Office and the THRIVE Center to learn about the resources available to students looking for support outside of academics.	Date: Tuesday, September 9, 2025 Time: 12:00 - 1:00pm CST Registration: Click here to register	Video: Caring for Yourself
    D2L and Tech 101: Join the SOAR Team in a demonstration of D2L and learn about the tips and tricks students use to navigate the tech used at NLU.	Date: Wednesday, September 10, 2025 Time: 12:00 - 1:00pm CST Registration: Click here to register	Video: D2L and Tech 101
    Preparing for Your Career: Meet with Career Bridge and learn how they will support you in your career goals.	Date: Thursday, September 11, 2025 Time: 5:30 - 6:30pm CST Registration: Click here to register	Video: Preparing for Your Career
    Navigating the Accommodations Process: Meet with the Center for Student Accessibility Resources to learn about the Various accommodations available to you how to sign up for them.	Date: Saturday, September 13, 2024 Time: 11:30 - 12:30pm CST Register: Click here to register	Video: Navigating the Accommodations Process
    Getting Involved: Meet the Centro de Excelencia, Sankofa Lounge and the Office of Student Engagement to learn about the different ways you can be involved with the NLU community.	Date: Wednesday, September 17, 2025 Time: 12:00 - 1:00pm CST Registration: Click here to register	Video: Getting Involved
    Making Peer Connections: Join the SOAR Team in a hour filled with fun community building activities and connect with your peers.	Date: Thursday, September , 2025 Time: 5:30 - 6:30pm CST Registration: Click here to register	Video: N/A

• Step 3: Students in the Chicagoland area are invited to attend the Graduate and Transfer Student Welcome Day on Saturday, September 20, 2025 from 9:00am - 12:30pm CST. This event is the perfect opportunity to meet your peers, tour the campus, and finalize any last minute details before the start of classes. Keep an eye out for an invitation in your email.
  
  • RSVP here: Click here to register 

These three steps are designed to inform and prepare you to successfully transition into your studies at NLU. They are designed to help you ease right into your first day of class (whether in-person or online). These are also excellent opportunities to meet other new students and explore essential resources NLU has to offer.

If you are having any issues accessing your online campus (D2L), please contact the NLU Help Deck at Helpdesk@nl.edu

For all other questions or concerns, please contact Orientation@nl.edu.

• Step 4: Be sure to sign-up for upcoming Graduate Student Success Summit, and take advantage of other services specific to graduate students by visiting: https://nl.edu/centro-de-excelencia-at-nlu/graduate-students/ 

Look out for an exciting schedule of events for your Week of Welcome to NLU!