Make the Most of Wolfpack Welcome Week (2024)

Campus Life

Your first college friends. Your first selfie with a Wuf. Your first taste of Howling Cow ice cream. There's a lot to experience, celebrate and explore during your first week as an NCState student. Let's go.

August 19, 2024Erin Zanders 8-min. read

Make the Most of Wolfpack Welcome Week (1)

Hello, there! We’re so thrilled to have you joining our Wolfpack that we created an entire week to welcome you to NCState. It’s called, for the sake of clarity, Wolfpack Welcome Week (WWW). We have a lot in store to help you settle into campus, connect with new friends and prepare for a successful first year of college.

But the most exciting thing about WWW is that it’s only the beginning. We want to make sure that you know where to find communities and resources throughout your time at NCState. Read on for sneak peeks, tips and plenty of bucket list experiences you won’t want to miss.

Step One: Go to Some Events

There are dozens of events taking place during WWW. You don’t have to look far to find social gatherings, open houses, tours, performing arts auditions, service activities and more. You can review the full event list and create your own custom schedule using the NCState Guides app.

See the full schedule

Here are a few signature events you’ll definitely want to add to your calendar:

Sunday, Aug. 18 | New Student Convocation
The official kickoff to your first year on campus takes place with thousands of your new classmates and a lot of school spirit. Get fired up for a successful semester, collect your first free NCState T-shirt and take part in your official class photo.
Sunday, Aug. 18 | RecFest
Check out everything Wellness and Recreation has to offer when you attend RecFest, a highly interactive event with club sports demonstrations, games, food, giveaways and entertainment.
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Thursday, Aug. 22 | Respect the Pack
Our Pack is stronger together. Get to know our campus community and affirm your commitment to equity and inclusion at Respect the Pack. The event includes presentations, panel discussions and the chance to leave your mark on a mural.

Thursday, Aug. 22 | Moonlight Howl and Run
The wildest fun walk/run this side of the Krispy Kreme Challenge is the 1.3 mile Moonlight Howl and Run — and it’ll help you get to know our campus.
Friday, Aug. 23 | Student Involvement Fair
Connect with dozens of student organizations, campus services and academic programs, all in one place. This is a great way to find communities of people who share your passions and interests.
Saturday, Aug. 24 | Packapalooza
Join us on Hillsborough Street for an all-day block party, street festival, concert and fireworks show! It’s our biggest party of the year, celebrating you — our Wolfpack — and the start of a great school year.

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Step Two: Explore Your New Home

While you’re settling in, it’s a great time to familiarize yourself with campus. After you’ve acquainted yourself with your dorm, dining halls, classroom buildings and Talley Student Union, our ten Hallowed Places are an ideal next adventure.

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These iconic landmarks could be home to some of your fondest memories:

Memorial Belltower
Holladay Hall
Court of North Carolina
Mary Yarbrough Court
The Brickyard
Lake Raleigh Woods
Free Expression Tunnel
Reynolds Coliseum
College of Veterinary Medicine Pastures
The Oval

Discover serene resting spots, joyful gathering spaces and historical connections to all the members of the Wolfpack who came before you. It’s all here for you, whenever you need it.

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Step Three: Find Your Wolfpack

There’s no shortage of things to get involved in on campus, but how do you find them? Attending the Student Involvement Fair during WWW is a great place to start. But for year-round support, resources and opportunities, check out Student Leadership and Engagement (SLE), our central hub for all things getting-involved on campus.

SLE offers helpful tips, a directory of student organizations, resources for starting your own club, leadership workshops and service activities — plus much more.

Our favorite of their pro tips? It’s okay to not do everything. Pursue the experiences that make sense for you.

If you’re excited to join a student organization (or several), here are some of the more than 750 registered organizations that might pique your interests:

App Development Club
Bad Film Club
BattlePack Robotics Club
Beekeepers Club
Citizen Science Club
Cosplay and Costuming Club
Dancing With Wolves Ballroom Dance Club
Discomfort Club
Esports Club
Fungi Appreciation and Mycology
Hike More, Worry Less
Pack in Animation
Students for the Exploration and Development of Space
Sustainable Entrepreneurship Club
Swifties at NCState
TableTop Gamers Club
The Origami Club
Uninhibited Praise Gospel Choir

Student MediaJoin one of our six student-produced media organizations: Agromeck yearbook, Nubian Message newspaper, Roundabout magazine, Technician newspaper, Windhover literary journal and WKNC 88.1 FM.Get hands-on experienceClub SportsOur 50+ club sports are student-led and may be recreational, competitive or a combination of both, while promoting leadership, service and engagement. We also offer open recreational and intramural sports.Join a teamArts EnsemblesMore than 500 students representing every college participate in dance companies, vocal and instrumental ensembles each semester. We have for-credit and club ensembles, and auditions are open to all students.Perform your heart out

Step Four: Crush Your First Classes

We know you want to set yourself up for a strong start on your degree program. Be sure to attend a College Connections event during WWW to get to know your academic home on campus.

New Student Convocation is also a can’t-miss WWW event, especially if you feel in need of a new-school-year pep talk and a peer support group that’s more than 5,000 strong.

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This week is a good time to start scouting out your new favorite study spots. For those drawn to indoor conveniences like whiteboards, comfortable chairs and running water, we’d recommend the James B. Hunt Jr. Library, the D.H. Hill Library or Talley Student Union. If you like to commune with nature while you review course materials, try the Court of North Carolina or the Oval on Centennial Campus.

For days when you need a little extra help, be sure to check out the Academic Success Center for tutoring, peer mentoring and writing support. You can make an appointment online or check out their drop-in tutoring, academic advising and career counseling services.

Step Five: Lighten Your Pack

Nothing is more important than your well-being. Tapping into wellness resources early and often will help you achieve your goals and keep you feeling your best throughout your time here.

We encourage you to invest care into these six elements of wellness and seek support as needed.

PurposeSome students come in knowing exactly what they want to do. Others don’t. Our academic advisors can help you navigate your path. You can also check out the Academic Success Center for tutoring and coaching.Access academic supportsPhysicalWellness starts with taking good care of your body through nutrition, exercise, sleep and health care visits. Our Campus Health center offers accessible, quality care and routine visits are covered by student fees. Care for your healthFinancialPack Essentials offers programs to support students in need of food, housing, financial and educational security, including Feed the Pack food pantry, legal aid and the Student Emergency Fund.See how we can help

EmotionalThe Counseling Center provides mental health services and resources to students, including drop-in support and counselors embedded within colleges to make help accessible where you need it.Find a counselor or resourceSocialEstablishing strong social connections is essential to your well-being. You can start by attending a wellness event to relax, recharge and meet other students who are looking to grow their Wolfpack.Attend a wellness eventCommunityFinding your communities will make our large university feel smaller. Community centers, drop-in spaces and inclusive programs provide gathering spaces and a sense of belonging on campus.Locate your communities

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Step Six: Borrow What You Need (Plus That Robot Cat)

It can be hard — some might say impossible — to fit everything you need into a dorm room. If you’re wrestling with where to store your kayak while you’re in Raleigh, wrestle no further. You can borrow one!

All across campus, there are lending programs that connect you with equipment and materials you need to live your best NCState life. You can access technology and other devices through the NCState University Libraries that can aid in academic and personal projects. Students enrolled in music courses can borrow instruments. Wellness and Recreation offers fitness equipment and outdoor adventure gear rentals. The Crafts Center offers studio access for students taking craft classes or via a membership fee.

Here are just a few of the many interesting things you can borrow, to help you explore, create, investigate, relax and discover:

Cameras, lenses and accessories
Coolers
DJ controllers and turntables
Frisbee golf discs
Handheld microscopes
Human skeleton models
Laptops
Pickleball nets, paddles and balls
Presentation practice remotes
Robotic therapy cats
Smart glasses
Stand-up paddleboards
Tents
VR headsets and controllers

We hope this helped you feel a little more prepared for what’s in store this week and throughout your first year at NCState. No matter what, know that someone is always available to help you — that’s what it means to be part of the Wolfpack.

Now, go out there and Think and Do things no one has thought and done before.