Top Ten To-Do's for New Graduate Students

1) Attend Graduate Student Orientation (August 20, 2009, Clark A101, 8:30 AM), and if you are going to be working as a teaching assistant, attend the Graduate Teaching Assistant Workshop (August 13, 2009, Clark A101, 8:00 AM).

2) If you are a United States citizen and are not a Colorado resident, your top priority is to begin to establish residency in Colorado. Why is this so important? The process of acquiring CO residency requires extensive documentation, and much of the paperwork must be completed a full year before the beginning of classes during any semester in which the student is to be classified as a resident.

If you fail to obtain residency by next fall semester, you are responsible for paying the difference between resident and non-resident tuition. Prompt Action is Advisable, as all of the required documentation must be accomplished before August 24, 2009.

For more detailed information about the filing of a petition for CO residency, refer to the included document entitled Colorado Residency Documentation, contact the Tuition Classification Office (103 Administration Annex), and/or visit the Student Financial Services website.

3) Contact your academic advisor to schedule an appointment to meet, and begin forming what should become a lasting relationship with frequent communication. If you are unsure of who your advisor might be, please contact your department.

4) Establish a CSU electronic identity (eID) to use the University's electronic resources and email; also, pick up your student identification card. You can establish an eID online and get your ID card at the University I.D. Office located in the Lory Student Center.

5) Register for classes (after meeting with your advisor). Class schedule information, registration procedures, and courses to be offered during a given term are available online. Students may access electronic class schedules through RAMweb or the Registrar's Office.

6) Make housing arrangements and update your address with the University also at RAMweb. You may also want to visit the Housing and Dining Services website and Off-Campus Student Services located at the Lory Student Center.

7) Visit Hartshorn Health Service to complete a health history form and provide a copy of your immunization records. Get a head-start by visiting the Hartshorn Health Services website. In addition, all new, full-fee-paying resident-instruction graduate students are required to enroll in the CSU Student Health Insurance Plan or opt out by demonstrating comparable health insurance coverage. For more information, visit their health insurance page.

8) Buy a parking permit from University Parking Services and/or register your bicycle with the Colorado State University Police Department.

9) Pick up a copy of the Student Handbook and Planner at the Lory Student Center Information Desk. This will help you to keep track of your many different activities, responsibilities, and deadlines in graduate school (teaching, classes of your own, research, etc).

10) Expect your life to become more hectic than you have ever imagined, and combat this by learning to organize your time efficiently NOW (see tip #9)! But most importantly, enjoy the intellectual adventure that you have already begun!