New Student Orientation for First-year and Transfer Students
New Student Orientation (NSO) provides students with a strong foundation for success at SDSU. NSO is for all new first-year and transfer students. All new undergraduate students are highly encouraged to attend orientation. In addition to registering and/or finalizing their fall or spring course schedule, new students receive introductory information and instruction on university resources, advising, student life, policies and procedures and more! Attendees also participate in activities aimed at facilitating a sense of community, belonging, equity and inclusion.
Students who do not attend NSO will have to complete mandatory SDSU trainings at a later date, which may cause course registration delay for the next semester. NSO provides students with a foundation for the rest of their time at SDSU.
Before completing the reservation, we highly recommend that new students familiarize themselves with the information on this website.
Remember to begin checking your SDSUid (@sdsu.edu student email, not your personal email) for updates and communication from the university. After you submit your Intent to Enroll, you will receive information about your @sdsu.edu student email, which is the campus standard for communication and collaboration. Future official communication from the university will be delivered to your @sdsu.edu student email. Learn more about the student official email address use policy on page 149 of the SDSU Senate Policy (PDF).
Information is subject to change.
Students will need their SDSUid (SDSU student email, not their personal email) and password to log in and complete the reservation.
General Dates
- Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, at 10 a.m. PT | NSO Reservation system opens
- Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. PT | Late fee for NSO begins
- Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. PT | Deadline to register for NSO
- Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, at 7:59 p.m. PT | Deadline to complete Pre-Orientation modules
- Monday, Jan. 27, 2026, at 7:59 p.m. PT | Deadline to complete Post-Orientation Canvas moduless
NSO Date
- Part 1 | Virtual: Friday, December 5, 2025
- Part 2 | In-person: Friday, January 16, 2026.
Advantages of Attending NSO
- Register for classes and/or finalize your course schedule.
- Learn about your general education (GE), major and graduation requirements.
- Engage in essential academic planning.
- Learn to use SDSU’s registration system and other my.SDSU services.
- Meet with staff, advisors, and trained SDSU student Ambassadors.
- Learn what it means to be a responsible member of the SDSU community.
- Embrace SDSU’s values and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
- Start making SDSU your new home by meeting other new students and making friends.
*All new students who do not attend NSO will have to complete mandatory university trainings at a later date, which may cause registration delays in future semesters. Although NSO is not required, it is highly encouraged.
Parents and Family Supporters
Parent and Family supporters are strongly encouraged to attend Parent and Family Orientation (PFO), which runs concurrently with NSO. This is a great opportunity for you to learn about SDSU and become a member of our Aztec Parents Association. Your student will have the opportunity to register any parents and family supporters when they register for NSO.
We highly encourage all students, parents and family supporters to join us at NSO.
Please review this section in its entirety to ensure you understand the pre-orientation requirements prior to attending New Student Orientation (NSO).
Modules
Once you make your NSO reservation, you will be ready to begin the online pre-orientation modules for SDSU. They were created to prepare you for NSO, and to provide you with an introduction and overview of your new home. You’ll learn about campus resources and build a strong foundation for your success at NSO and beyond. Mandatory trainings for all SDSU students is incorporated into the modules. Registration holds will be placed if these trainings are not completed.
You will receive an email inviting you to complete the online pre-orientation modules when you make your NSO reservation. Please log in and complete the modules with your SDSUid and password. It is imperative that you complete the pre-orientation modules by the day before your NSO date at 7:59 p.m. PT.
Tips
- Total time to complete the pre-orientation modules is approximately 45-60 minutes.
- You must complete each section to move onto the next section.
Students should plan to complete the pre-orientation modules in one sitting. Logging in and out of the system may cause issues.
Complete the Steps to Enroll
New students must complete the steps to enroll before attending NSO. They can access their steps to enroll via their admission email
SDSUCard
To receive your SDSU ID card on your orientation date you will need to complete the steps below by Monday, Jan. 5. You will need your student REDID number (nine-digit number) and a government issued form of identification.
- Create an account on the GET mobile app using your SDSUid email address.
- If you have a preferred first name, please use that to create your account.
- Upload a photo and valid U.S. Government issued ID on the GET mobile app.
Check out the video on How to Get Your Card Step-by-Step.
Parents and Family Supporters
Please review your steps on the Parent and Family Supporter Orientation page.
- Make sure you’ve read through the pre-orientation section before moving onto this section.
- If you need to make travel accommodations, special discounts can be found on the Bartell Hotels and SDSU page. Bartell Hotels offers eight unique hotels and you are encouraged to make reservations early. Ask for the “SDSU Friends and Family Rate.”
Preparation
- Know your RedID number (9 digit number that starts with “1” or “8”) and SDSUid (SDSU Gmail) and password.
- Bring valid picture identification, like a United States Driver’s License/Real ID, United States ID card, Passport or Military ID.
- Wear casual clothing like a jacket/sweater, hat/sunglasses and comfortable shoes for walking around campus. Check the weather forecast before you head out!
- Bring a pen/pencil to write with during sessions.
- Optional: Bring snacks, a reusable water bottle and sunscreen.
Transportation and Parking
We encourage use of the MTS trolley or bus to reach SDSU. SDSU is conveniently located on the MTS Green Line trolley and many MTS stations offer free parking. Google Maps and the Transit App provide directions to SDSU Station via transit. The Green Line Guide is designed to help you navigate public transportation to and from SDSU with ease. Carpooling is strongly encouraged for those that drive as campus parking is limited.
If you choose to drive, a paid valid parking permit is required on campus at all times. A 1-day parking permit for the P3 Parking Structure will be available for purchase through the “Know before you go” email. The digital permit will be valid during the NSO date only and cannot be switched.
A valid parking permit is required on campus at all times. Regulations are enforced at all times. Do not park outside of the P3 Parking Structure or in any reserved, faculty-staff, or other specially marked space. Failure to obtain a valid parking permit may result in a citation.
To pay for additional parking, visitors are encouraged to use the PayByPhone app or a pay station. For more information about parking and transportation options, visit the Parking and Transportation website.
Tips
- Get a good night’s rest and eat breakfast before arriving.
- Attend the full program.
After your orientation date, you will be expected to complete the post-orientation requirements located in Canvas. The Canvas modules that you must complete include, but are not limited to, Canvas 101, Aztec Culture Education, and Opioid Training and Education. More information on the modules and how to access them will be available later.
“I was blown away by the thought and care put into this orientation. It was thorough and well executed. Everyone who spoke was dynamic and engaging. Thanks a million!”
Reservations
- Activate your SDSUid. As an admitted student, you will receive an email from [email protected] with instructions on how to activate your SDSUid account. Complete the steps in the email to activate your account. You will use your SDSUid and password to log in to the New Student Orientation reservation system.
- SDSUid account is required. You must have your SDSUid account set up to receive the confirmation email BEFORE you make your reservation. For instructions to set up your SDSUid account, please visit the Google G Suite for Students page.
- Have a credit card ready. The Parent & Family Programs fee is due upon completion of your registration. MasterCard, VISA, American Express and Discover are accepted. The First Year Experience Fee ($337) will be billed on Jan. 5 and due by Feb. 20 in your my.SDSU account.
- Know your major. Your reservation will be associated with the major in which you were admitted to the university. You cannot change your major prior to attending New Student Orientation.
- Have your guest(s) contact information ready. If your parents and/or family supporters will be attending Parent and Family Orientation, which runs concurrently with NSO, please enter the number of parents and family members under "guests" and fill in their names for their pre-printed name tags.
- Ensure your parents and family supporter’s contact information is accurate, because we use this information to sign them up for our Aztec Parents Association.
- Confirm your registration before you make travel arrangements.
- Your orientation confirmation will be emailed to you. This contains valuable information, so please read it in its entirety.
- Your enrollment appointment in my.SDSU will not change to your orientation date.
View First Year Experience Fee and the Acknowledgement of Terms and Conditions.
Fee waivers are not accepted.
Payment options for the Parent and Family Programs Fee (the FYE student fee will be billed separately):
Credit Card: As part of the online reservation process, payment may be made by credit card. MasterCard, VISA, American Express and Discover are accepted.
We can't wait to meet you!
Reservation system opens Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, at 10 a.m. PT
