Rutgers logo
Resources for Student Success
First-year students gathering for New Student Orientation

First-Year Essentials

Start Strong

As you start your journey at Rutgers–New Brunswick, we want you to feel inspired and excited, knowing you've arrived at the perfect place to unlock your potential and discover new opportunities.

As a first-year or new student, you'll find a variety of resources designed to help you transition smoothly into university life, including information on housing and transportation, campus maps, technology resources, academic calendars, absence policies, and more.

Orientation programs and first-semester experiences, including seminars, retreats, workshops, and programs focusing on self-discovery and leadership skills that will give you valuable insights and skills for your academic journey. These engagements provide opportunities to meet new people, build friendships, and create a support network. Whether it's academic support, career services, or personal development resources, here you’ll find the tools to thrive.

Welcome to Rutgers, where your journey of self-discovery and achievement begins.

Person holding a sign for Future Teachers Association

Must-Know Tips and How-To Guides

Find video content, tutorials, and guides, to help you make the most of Rutgers New–Brunswick’s resources and opportunities, enhance your university experience, and achieve success in your first year on campus.

Explore Resources

Resources

Filter

37 Resources

  • 4WARD: Career Pathways Program is an exclusive, high-impact, multi-year experience designed to assist first-year undergraduate student participants in reaching post-graduation success.

    First-year students will clarify their career goals, have access to unique recruiting resources to unlock internship experiences, and engage in opportunities designed to make them more competitive in their future career pursuits.

    The world of work is complex, but the on-ramp to success doesn't have to be through the Road to Industry Program.

    Learn More
    Category
    Career & Employment Resources, First-Year Essentials, Internships & Field Experiences
    Resource Type
    Career & Employment Resources: Career Advising, Career & Employment Resources: Career Events, Career & Employment Resources: Online Career Tools, First-Year Essentials: First-Year Events, Internships & Field Experiences: Internships
    Class Level
    First-Year
    School
    Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
    Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy
    Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology
    Graduate School of Education
    Mason Gross School of the Arts
    New Jersey Medical School
    Rutgers Business School–New Brunswick
    School of Arts and Sciences
    School of Communication and Information
    School of Engineering
    School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
    School of Management and Labor Relations
    School of Public Health
    Department
    Office of Career Exploration and Success
    Delivery Format
    In-Person, Online
  • Attendance is essential for academic engagement and learning. The course syllabus outlines requirements for attendance, deadlines for submission of assignments, and dates of exams. Missing class or the submission of required work can impact your grade, regardless of the circumstances. If you are absent due to an accident, medical, or private matter, you are encouraged to first notify the faculty member or teaching assistant (TA) at the time of the absence or immediately thereafter, as the situation allows.

    For a one or two-day absence, use the Student Self-Reporting Absence Application.

    For multi-day absences, or when a major course requirement is missed during the one or two-day absence, instructors may request students obtain an Absence and Verification Notice (AVN) from the Dean of Students–Advocacy, Outreach, and Support. Documentation is required for an AVN.

    Reporting an absence does not excuse missed work, and even with verification for absences, it is up to each instructor to determine if there are options for allowing the submission of missing or late work.

    Learn More
    Category
    Academic Advising & Policies, First-Year Essentials, Health & Well-Being
    Resource Type
    Academic Advising & Policies: Academic Policies
    Class Level
    First-Year, Sophomore, Junior, Senior
    School
    Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
    Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy
    Mason Gross School of the Arts
    Rutgers Business School–New Brunswick
    School of Arts and Sciences
    School of Communication and Information
    School of Engineering
    School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
    School of Management and Labor Relations
    School of Nursing
    Department
    Dean of Students - Advocacy, Outreach & Support
    Delivery Format
    In-Person, Online
  • The Academic Calendar provides important dates and deadlines associated with the semester: the first day of classes, the last day to add or drop a class, the start of course registration for the following semester, exam periods, and changes to class designations due to holidays.

    The three-year academic calendar provides general dates for the first and last day of classes, exam periods, and holiday breaks. The majority of schools in New Brunswick follow these calendars, but certain academic units at the university follow their own academic calendars due to the nature of their program.

    Learn More
    Category
    Academic Advising & Policies, First-Year Essentials
    Resource Type
    Academic Advising & Policies: Academic Policies
    Class Level
    First-Year, Sophomore, Junior, Senior, Master's Student, Doctoral Student
    School
    Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
    Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology
    Graduate School of Education
    Mason Gross School of the Arts
    New Jersey Medical School
    Rutgers Business School–New Brunswick
    School of Arts and Sciences
    School of Communication and Information
    School of Engineering
    School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
    School of Graduate Studies
    School of Management and Labor Relations
    School of Social Work
    Department
    Office of the Registrar
    Delivery Format
    Online
  • All students at Rutgers University are expected to maintain the highest levels of academic integrity. The definitions and examples of cheating or plagiarism may be understood, but it is also important to understand the meaning of fabricationacademic sabotage, facilitation of dishonesty, and how to prevent violations of the Academic Integrity Policy. Violations can result in educational and academic sanctions, which can be costly, both in terms of time, money, and future opportunities.

    To maximize academic and post-graduate success, all students are expected to complete the academic integrity module available on Canvas. Once logged into Canvas, the course can be found in the list of Published Courses.

    Find Tips and Tutorials on Academic Integrity and other resources.

    Learn More
    Category
    Academic Advising & Policies, First-Year Essentials, Online Tools & Technology Services
    Resource Type
    Academic Advising & Policies: School-Based Academic Advising, Online Tools & Technology Services: Learning Management Systems
    Class Level
    First-Year, Sophomore, Junior, Senior
    School
    Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
    Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy
    Mason Gross School of the Arts
    Rutgers Business School–New Brunswick
    School of Arts and Sciences
    School of Communication and Information
    School of Engineering
    School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
    School of Management and Labor Relations
    School of Social Work
    Department
    Academic Integrity
    Delivery Format
    Online
  • Byrne Seminars are small, one-credit courses taught by Rutgers’ world-renowned faculty who come from departments and professional schools across the university. Limited to 20 students per section, each unique seminar introduces students to the professor’s area of expertise and their latest research. The Byrne program is open to all first-year students during the fall and spring semesters. Students who take a Byrne often find that studying with a professor in a small seminar has a profound impact on their collegiate experience, including connecting them to campus resources, peers with similar interests, and new opportunities for majors or fields of research. For a full listing of seminars, check out Byrne Seminars.

    Learn More
    Category
    First-Year Essentials, Research Resources
    Resource Type
    Research Resources: Undergraduate Research
    Class Level
    First-Year
    School
    Mason Gross School of the Arts
    Rutgers Business School–New Brunswick
    School of Arts and Sciences
    School of Communication and Information
    School of Engineering
    School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
    Department
    Byrne Seminars-Office of Undergraduate Education
    Delivery Format
    In-Person, Online
  • The official learning management system for teaching and learning at Rutgers.

    Canvas: https://canvas.rutgers.edu/

    Getting Started in Canvas for Students: https://canvas.rutgers.edu/students/getting-started-in-canvas-students/

    Find Tips and Tutorials on how to use Canvas and other resources.

    Learn More
    Category
    Academic Advising & Policies, First-Year Essentials, Online Tools & Technology Services
    Resource Type
    Online Tools & Technology Services: Learning Management Systems
    Class Level
    First-Year, Sophomore, Junior, Senior, Master's Student, Doctoral Student
    School
    Division of Continuing Studies
    Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
    Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy
    Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology
    Graduate School of Education
    Mason Gross School of the Arts
    New Jersey Medical School
    Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
    Rutgers Business School–New Brunswick
    Rutgers School of Dental Medicine
    School of Arts and Sciences
    School of Communication and Information
    School of Engineering
    School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
    School of Graduate Studies
    School of Health Professions
    School of Management and Labor Relations
    School of Nursing
    School of Public Health
    School of Social Work
    Department
    Office of Information Technology
    Delivery Format
    Online