Roaring into Georgia State University: Your Ultimate New Student Checklist!
Hey, incoming Panthers! Your college journey is about to take off and Georgia State University is beyond excited to welcome you! To help you launch your new academic adventure on the right “paw”, we’ve put together a new student checklist for you. August 26 will be here before you know it, but there’s no need to sweat it! This list will make sure you’re prepared and all set for success.
🔐 Register for Classes
The best part! Choose your classes and make it official. Our advisors are just a click away to guide you. Remember that registration closes on August 25, so don’t wait too long. Make sure you have your schedule sorted out and ready to go!
🚗 Transportation
If you plan on commuting, take advantage of our parking passes and discounts on MARTA. GSU offers various parking options to accommodate your needs, including semester and annual permits, daily parking, and motorcycle parking. You can also benefit from discounted MARTA passes for convenient public transportation. Visit the Parking and Transportation page for more details and to secure your parking spot or MARTA pass. Additionally, GSU provides shuttle services to help you zoom campus easily and safely.
🍽️ Panther Dining
Fuel your college life with the right meal plan! GSU offers a variety of meal plans to fit your needs, including all-you-care-to-eat dining at Panther Dining Halls, a combination of meal swipes and dining dollars for retail locations, and options to use dining dollars at on-campus spots like Starbucks and Chick-fil-A. Panther Dining also accommodates special dietary preferences and restrictions, ensuring everyone has delicious and nutritious options. It’s a win-win! Visit the Panther Dining website to explore meal plan options and choose one that suits you best.
💸 Tuition/ Fees
Make sure that all outstanding balances and pending fees are paid! The tuition and fees payment deadline is August 26. You can view your account balance and make payments through PAWS. Don’t let a financial hold delay your start—take care of your tuition and fees now!
📚 Books/ Supplies
Order your textbooks through GSU’s bookstore and check out all the fun Panther apparel and supplies! Whether you prefer new, used, or digital books, we’ve got you covered. Opt for in-store pickup or have your books delivered to your doorstep. At the end of the semester, you can sell your textbooks back to the bookstore for some extra cash. Sweet deal, right?
🚨 Campus Policies/ Safety
Your safety is our top priority at GSU! Stay informed by signing up for PantherAlerts to receive real-time notifications about campus emergencies and safety updates. Take advantage of services like campus escorts, safety apps, and emergency call boxes located throughout campus. Familiarize yourself with GSU’s safety policies and procedures by visiting the Campus Safety website to learn more about our comprehensive safety measures and resources. Your awareness and participation will help keep our campus safe and secure.
🗺️ Your First Day
Campus will be buzzing during the first week of classes! It’s a good idea to get familiar with our campus and where you will be parking and going for classes. Check out our campus map to see academic buildings, parking and other student services. You can also go ahead and get your Panther Card ahead of time by visiting any PantherCard location prior to the start of classes. Make your first day as smooth as butter!
🔷 The GSU Blue Line
Are you thinking about how you’ll navigate our bustling downtown campus? This is where The GSU Blue Line comes in clutch! This 3.7-mile marked walking path winds through the Atlanta Campus, connecting our network of dorms, libraries, research centers, and classroom buildings. You’ll know you’re on The GSU Blue Line because, well, it’ll be blue! Waves of Panther blue appear in ground-floor windows of buildings along the route, with block-long decals signaling to users they’re on the right track. There are also Georgia State-branded crosswalks, sidewalks, welcome banners, and blue accent lights illuminating your path! By following The GSU Blue Line, you’ll be less likely to steer away from campus and more likely to stay immersed in #THESTATEWAY.
😄 Breathe!
This may seem like a lot of stuff to take in, but Georgia State University is ready to help you conquer your first semester. Try to not get overwhelmed by all the new adjustments. This is your time to shine! You can visit our support site to speak with someone, set up an appointment and even look at a list of frequently asked questions. We can’t wait to welcome you on August 26th. Go Panthers! 🐾
