The fall semester is almost here! First-year students, we know you’re probably chomping at the bit to get started on your college life as a Temple Owl. So, we made this handy list of everything you’ll want to take care of before your first semester begins. First year students, read on! 

1. The boring (read: important) stuff 

Before you can call yourself an Owl, be sure you’ve officially chosen Temple to be your new home! Head to TUportal and check “Next Steps” to ensure you’ve paid your deposit. Then, you can get the ball rolling! 

   2. Home sweet home 

Are you planning to live on campus? If not, skip to No. 4. But if you are, be sure to pay the housing deposit and complete the housing application process through MyHousing on TUportal. You’ll then receive a spot in the housing selection queue, which is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. The housing selection process already opened in May, so you won’t want to delay any longer to have the most options to choose from! 

   3. Find your palace 

This is another one for the on-campus Owls. If that’s not you, skip to No. 4! 

When it’s your turn to select your housing, you’ll want to visit Temple’s housing website for a step-by-step guide on how to sign up. It has everything from how to select your roomies to deposits and dining plans—head over there and familiarize yourself with the process to make housing selection a breeze! 

   4. Get hyped for Orientation 

Once you’ve chosen Temple and secured housing, you’ll want to sign up for Orientation. This is where you’ll meet your new peers, touch base with an Owl team leader (aka current student) and, most importantly, register for classes. 

But first! Before you can register for Orientation, you’ll need to complete the online Temple Preview module. This outlines important tasks like submitting your OWLcard photo and completing placement assessments for your classes. When you’re finished, you can head to TUportal to register for Orientation. 

   5. Sign up to soar in four 

Another thing you can do online to get a jump on the upcoming semester is register for Fly in 4. Fly in 4 is a totally free agreement to reach certain checkpoints throughout your time at Temple, like meeting with an academic advisor once a semester and registering for classes early (to name just a few of the main ones). In exchange, Temple will make sure you complete your degree on time. If you still have outstanding credits after four straight years of meeting program requirements, Temple will cover the cost of the remaining courses. 

It’s a great way to start strong, stay on track and plan ahead. Be sure to sign up soon, though; you can only register during your first semester!  

   6. Prep for move-in 

If you’re living on campus, this one’s for you! Move-in is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s often hot in Philadelphia in late August, so make sure you stay hydrated and take breaks from carrying heavy boxes if you need to. To make sure you pack everything you need for the big move, be sure to check out our checklist made specifically for first-year Temple students. 

   7. Convocation and Weeks of Welcome 

Once you’re settled into your new home and registered for your courses, student life will really begin. Keep an eye out for emails about Convocation and Weeks of Welcome, two of Temple’s signature events for new students! 

Convocation is a ceremony to kick off your college experience. It’s the first time you and the entire new class of Owls will be in the same room together, and you’ll get to celebrate with a pep rally featuring Temple athletes, the university president and provost, and everyone’s favorite bird, Hooter. 

Weeks of Welcome are several days’ worth of festivities that start the moment you set foot on campus and don’t stop until classes start. Meet new friends at a campus carnival, learn about the 440+ options for student orgs you can join, play games at campus rec facilities, try a new food truck and so much more during these days celebrating Y-O-U!