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Wildcat Welcome!

Wildcat Welcome helps ease the transition to college by providing opportunities to connect with the NMU community, discover campus resources, and build the connections and habits that support your success.

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What is Wildcat Welcome?

Your first four weeks at Northern Michigan University lay the foundation for a successful college experience. At the beginning of the semester, offices and departments across campus will offer programs, events, workshops, and opportunities designed to help you connect with the NMU community, build confidence, and discover the resources that will support you throughout your college journey.

Whether you're living on campus, commuting, transferring to NMU, or returning as a continuing student, there are opportunities for you to get involved, meet new people, and explore everything NMU has to offer.

By participating in First Four Weeks events, you'll strengthen your connection to campus, develop habits that support academic success, learn about campus resources, and begin building a community that will help you thrive as a Wildcat. Attend a signature event, explore activities that match your interests, or simply try something new. Every connection you make during these first four weeks is an investment in your success at NMU.

Three students sitting on a blanket and studying in the academic mall at NMU

Explore Your First Four Weeks Through CATS

Starting college is about more than attending classes, BUT remember that attendance is the most critical point of academic success for nearly everyone. Nothing is more important than attending class and keeping up with reading and other assignments. 

Your first few weeks at NMU are also an important opportunity to build relationships, establish academic habits, take care of yourself, and find your place within the university community. If it doesn't seem to "happen" for you right away, that's also okay, you can find your place and your people quickly enough. Most of all, don't hesitate to get involved, meet people, and try something new or familiar on campus or in the community. 

To help you navigate this transition, we’ve organized First Four Weeks opportunities into four key areas, CATS: Connect, Academic Success, Thrive, and Sense of Purpose.

Each category represents an important part of building a strong foundation for your first semester. You certainly don’t have to attend every event or participate in every opportunity--there is a lot to choose from! Instead, explore the CATS categories and choose experiences that fit your goals, interests, and needs.

 

Three students sitting and talking in the academic mall at NMU

Connect

Objective: Build meaningful connections that foster a sense of belonging within the NMU community.

Featured Opportunities:

  • Welcome Home Party (Housing/Res Life)
  • Speed Friending
  • Welcome Social (WellBeing)
  • Pick One*
  • My Way Friday*
  • Creating in the Stacks (Library)*
  • Collective Deep Breath*
  • Fall Fest
  • Homecoming
  • Annual Labor Day Kickball Tournament
  • Campus Cinema*
  • Library Trivia Night*
  • Poster Sale*
  • Concert with Altan
  • PrimeTime Event
  • Superior Edge Orientations*
  • SLFP Skill Builders*
  • Intramural Sports Registration*
  • Equipment Demo at Dead River Games*
  • Hall/House Government Elections*
  • Majors Fair*

Visit The Hub to learn more about each opportunity.

* Indicates event falls under more than one category.

Student in a lab coat using a pipette in a lab

Academic Success

Objective: Build the academic skills and confidence needed to meet college expectations and make the most of available support resources.

Featured Opportunities:

  • Assistive Technology Training
  • Meet the Librarians
  • Meet Your Success Advisor Table
  • SLFP Skill Builders
  • Toolkit Tuesday: WellBeing 101
  • Creating in the Stacks (Library)*
  • Library Trivia Night*
  • PathwayU Workshops*
  • Tutoring Open House & Workshop*
  • How to College Table*
  • Majors Fair*
  • Superior Edge Orientations*
  • My Way Friday*
  • Northern Money Games*

Visit The Hub to learn more about each opportunity.

* Indicates event falls under more than one category.

Student making a peace sign with their hands while standing next to Wildcat Willy for a photo op.

Thrive

Objective: Develop the skills and resilience to support your well-being, manage challenges, and thrive throughout your college experience.

Featured Opportunities:

  • Superior Edge Orientations*
  • Meet the Librarians*
  • N8V Dance Fitness (Ctr for Native American Studies
  • Intramural Sports Registration Opens*
  • Hall/House Government Elections*
  • CARE Management Tabling
  • WellBeing Drop-ins
  • Toolkit Tuesday: WellBeing 101
  • Collective Deep Breath*
  • Superior Edge Travel Interest Meetings*
  • SLFP Skill Builders*
  • Creating in the Stacks (Library)*
  • Drop-in Fitness Classes*
  • Sexpo
  • Northern Money Games*
  • My Way Friday*
  • Library Trivia Night*
  • Equipment Demo at Dead River Games*
  • PathwayU Workshop*
  • Tutoring Open House & Workshop*
  • Annual Labor Day Kickball Tournament
  • How to College Table*
  • Majors Fair*

Visit The Hub learn more about each opportunity.

* Indicates event falls under more than one category.

Six NMU band members posing in front of the Superior Dome

Sense of Purpose

Objective: Explore personal strengths, interests, and values while connecting your college experience to academic, career, and life goals.

Featured Opportunities:

  • Pick One*
  • Fall Fest*
  • More than Human Monday (Ctr. for Native American Studies)
  • Orange Shirt Day Learning Circles (Ctr. for Native American Studies)
  • Superior Edge Orientations*
  • Advisor Tabling – How to find your advisor / who is your advisor?*
  • Hall/House Government Elections*
  • SLFP Skill Builders*
  • Superior Edge Travel Interest Meetings*
  • Athletic Events*
  • Northern Money Games*
  • My Way Friday*
  • Library Trivia Night*
  • PathwayU Workshop*
  • Tutoring Open House & Workshop*
  • Annual Labor Day Kickball Tournament*
  • Homecoming*
  • Majors Fair*

Visit The Hub learn more about each opportunity.

* Indicates event falls under more than one category.

                                          Looking for dates, times, and locations?

                                                           Visit The Hub to view the complete event calendar and learn more about each opportunity.

Five students sitting on a bench looking at the center student typing on a laptop.

Wildcat Check-in

Throughout your first semester, Student Success will send brief check-in surveys to see how you're doing. These surveys are quick to complete and are one of the ways we make sure you're getting the support you need to succeed. 

The survey will ask about:

  • How your semester is going and how optimistic you feel about the fall.
  • What you’re excited about, including classes, campus involvement, and building connections.
  • Whether you need additional information or support from campus resources.

Why should I complete it?

  • It takes less than one minute.
  • It helps us understand your experience.
  • It gives you an opportunity to ask for help if you need it.
  • Your feedback helps us improve the student experience for current and future Wildcats.