Your guide to Welcome Week 2018 at Northeastern

Scenes from Fall Fest 2016. Photo by Adam Glanzman/Northeastern University

It still feels like summer, but you know better. You’re putting your game face on. You’re getting your act together. You want to be out front of the new year that is suddenly upon you. Whether you’ve never been to Northeastern, or you feel like you’ve been here forever, this list of activities for Welcome Week 2018 is for you.

Home is where the Husky is

It’s an exciting time and classes begin on Wednesday, but don’t worry if you feel overwhelmed by all of the options and opportunities. Check the Welcome Week schedule—and while you’re at it, download the orientation app.

Welcome, from the president

President Joseph E. Aoun will welcome new students and transfer students to the university at the President’s Convocation and March, held at Matthews Arena on Tuesday Sept. 4. Students should meet at their designated location at 8:45 a.m. and walk to Convocation with their groups.

Immediately after Convocation, tour the Boston campus to celebrate the start of the semester with Fall Fest at 11 a.m. The free festival offers food, music, giveaways, games, and novelties, and tables will be set up all over for students to learn more about the some 400 student organizations as well as university offices, as well as News@Northeastern, the official source of university news. This year, Fall Fest will feature a “Virtual Hub” in Snell Quad where students can interact live with other Northeastern students all over the world—whether they’re on co-op, attending another Northeastern campus, studying abroad, or participating in N.U.in.

Then, head back to Matthews Arena for First Pages, where author Matthew Desmond will address the incoming class and discuss his book, Evicted. Like the President’s Convocation, this event is mandatory for new and transfer students, who should be seated in Matthews by 6:45 p.m. for the event.

Get involved

Northeastern has a club or organization for all of your interests—sports, arts, music, debate, anime, arts and crafts, professional development, you name it—so plan on chatting with representatives from the hundreds of organizations that will be at Fall Fest on Tuesday. Then on Wednesday, student organizations will host a variety of activities during Night at the Curry Student Center, which begins at 7 p.m. and includes an a cappella concert, an improv comedy show, and several mixers.

Have some fun

There won’t be enough hours to participate in all of the activities and games that will be available on campus throughout the week. On Wednesday, learn about study abroad opportunities at a fair in the Curry Student Center at 11 a.m., or participate in a fun run with your peers starting at 6 p.m. in the Cabot Quad. Thursday night is open mic night at Afterhours, beginning at 9:30 p.m. On Friday night,  play lawn games in the West Village Quad, attend a block party at Afterhours hosted by student radio station WRBB, or take in a screening of Black Panther on the freshman quad at Stetson East.

‘I love that dirty water’

If you’re new to Northeastern, there will be many opportunities to get to know Boston—or to reconnect with the city you already know so well. The long list of activities includes a Massachusetts Statehouse tour, an evening at the Museum of Fine Arts, and an afternoon at Boston’s Public Garden.

Tickets or registration are required for some events. See the full schedule for more information.

Plug in

Get the latest news and updates by connecting with Northeastern’s social media channels. On Twitter, @Northeastern delivers daily university news and updates on campus life. You’ll want to check out Instagram (@Northeastern) and Snapchat (northeasternu), as well as Facebook (Northeastern University).

Don’t forget to tag your tweets and Instagram posts with #NUexperience to join in the conversation.

Also be sure to follow @434CSC, @NUDining, @NUStudentLife, and @NUOrientation to stay in the loop on campus conversations and @GoNUathletics for all things Northeastern sports.