Fall Orientation

New Student Orientation

New Student Orientation

August 17-19, 2025

We’re very excited to welcome you to campus this fall! The New Student Orientation is designed to provide you with essential information related to academic requirements and campus resources at Carroll. In addition, orientation activities provide you with the opportunity to make valuable connections with current faculty, staff, and students. Freshman Orientation shapes new students’ experiences by encouraging new friendships, discovering Helena, and absorbing a key part of the Carroll experience—helping others.

Move-In Information

  • Move-in day will be Sunday, August 18. Students and parents will receive a schedule of events when you arrive.
  • Arrival day will include time to move in, student and parent sessions, and floor meetings.
  • On August 19-20, students can choose among many fun events to attend all day long. Students will receive a menu of events to sign up for when they arrive.

Schedules and Lists

Call to Action Background

Freshman Move-In will occur Sunday, August 17 between 8 a.m. to noon at Guadalupe Hall. (Many of you will arrive all at once.) In order for you to have a great move-in experience, we ask that everyone follow the move-in instructions below.

When you pull up to the orientation tent, you will receive 1) an orientation schedule,  2) an orientation and housing packet, and 3) instructions on parking and move-in.  

Note: Many people arrive between 8-9 a.m. If you can wait to arrive between 9 a.m. and noon, you will experience less traffic.

Move-In Instructions

  1. Pull into the Guadalupe Parking Lot, which is located off Benton Ave. There will be signs and volunteers directing you to this parking lot.
  2. Drive all the way to the check-in tent, where you will receive your information packet for move-in and orientation. You will then be directed to a parking spot that will allow you to be as close as possible to your room, making move-in more convenient for you. (You are welcome to decline the help you are offered.)
  3. There will be a team of upperclassman volunteers waiting to help carry all your items to your room. This is a special tradition at Carroll, and we ask that you return the favor when you are an upperclassman. They will welcome you to Carroll and be there to help you.
  4. IMPORTANT - As soon as your items have been moved from your car to your room, we ask that you immediately move your car to the HAC / PE Center parking lot. This allows those who are showing up after you to have a parking spot and enjoy the same quick move-in. Move-in does not work if people do not move their cars.
  5. Walk back to Guadalupe Hall where you will find your RA and fill out your room condition form.
  6. Visit the Wellness Center on the lower floor of Guadalupe Hall. Here you will confirm your required health and immunization records.
  7. If you did not receive your ID when you arrived, head to Borromeo Hall to create your student ID card. Your ID card will serve as your electronic key to your building and room. (See building 24 on the campus map that you will have received at move-in.
  8. Free Time. You will then have time to look over the "to-do" list that was given to you and accomplish any needed items.
  9. The orientation schedule begins at 12:30 p.m. with the Welcome Ceremony.

Your resident assistant (RA) lives on your floor and will be there to answer any questions you might have on and after move-in day. We are overjoyed you have chosen to be a part of our Carroll College community. If you have any questions or concerns at all, please don’t hesitate to ask us. We are happy to assist you in this process and are committed to making your move-in day experience one to remember.

  • Dress comfortably. Students and parents will be dressed in casual clothes for Move-In Day. Wear comfortable shoes or sandals.
  • Stay hydrated. Think about bringing a water bottle that you can refill between walks to campus buildings.
  • Eat regular meals. Eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Move-In Day to stay energized for unpacking, meeting new people, and attending programs.
  • Introduce yourself. Introduce yourself to everyone you meet, sit next to in a program, or visit with while sitting outside between sessions.
  • Run errands. Know that you will have time to shop locally in Helena for room supplies, toiletries and groceries. Use free time to run errands.
  • Ask questions. Ask any and all questions that you may have. If you need more time with a presenter, approach the speaker after a session is concluded.
  • Have fun. Whether you are a new student or the parent of a new student, enjoy the start of this adventure at Carroll College!

When you arrive, you and your roommate will complete a roommate agreement together where you’ll have an opportunity to discuss these and other things in more detail. Here are some helpful topics to discuss before you arrive! It can be intimidating to move-in with a complete stranger. Say hello, share your contact info, and get to know your new roomie.

  • Large and shared Items (fridges/microwaves/futons/TVs) will you each bring one or share?
  • What are you comfortable or uncomfortable sharing? Snacks? Clothes? Shampoo? What is off-limits?
  • Hopes and fears about starting college
  • Interests, hobbies, summer experiences!

You’ve made it! Preparing your family and student for their transition to college can be equally exciting and frightening. Some parents will be dropping their first or only child off at the residence halls and for others, this experience may be the final transition to an empty nest. The following talking points might be beneficial to discuss with your student to help them consider how they might navigate new experiences. Your pearls of wisdom are valuable gifts that often resurface when students reflect on their college experience. Consider using this list to inspire other questions to ask each other.

  • What are their hopes/fears about starting college? What are yours? Your family’s?
  • How will money be managed? Tuition and college costs as well as car insurance, cell phone bill, etc. What agreement do you have? Do you expect your student to have a job?
  • How will visits home be managed?
  • How might your student engage in social connection? Try new things?
  • What were your experiences when you left home? What would you do the same and what would you do differently?
  • Conflict will happen. Roommates, floormates, friendships, and relationships. What are useful and effective ways you know to work through these?
  • What if your student makes a mistake? How should they communicate this?
  • Your student will be busy in classes, with friends, and exploring Helena. How often will you touch base? What if your student doesn’t respond?
  • New experiences and peer pressure can be a part of your student’s identity development. How should they respond to drugs? Alcohol? Sex and intimate relationships?
  • Carroll College offers a well-rounded liberal arts curriculum for all areas of study. What if your student doesn’t know what they want to do for a career? What did they choose as a major? How many careers or jobs have you had and what career did you intend to enter at 18? Are you still in that career field?

Trip Registration

Call to Action Background
Family at Orientation

Families Welcome

Orientation is for families! Carroll College would like to invite all new students--and their families--to join us for New Student Orientation. The parent orientation program will be held from Sunday at 1:00 p.m., August 17, through Monday at 10:00 a.m., August 18.

Opening Week Activities (2025)

Below are some welcome events offered that allow students to meet new friends and become familiar with Carroll and the Helena Community.

NOTE: EVENTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

  • Tue, Aug 19 — Welcome Back Swing Dance (7-9 p.m.)
  • Wed, Aug 20 —  Free Coffee and Muffins with the President (7-10 a.m.)
  • Fri, Aug 22 — Welcome BBQ and Slip N Slide (5-8 p.m.)
  • Sat, Aug 23 — Farmers Market Walk and or Hike Mount Helena (10 a.m.-noon)
  • Sun, Aug 24 — Freshman Rafting Trip
  • Tue, Aug 27 — Non Scholae Sed Vitae: An Introduction to Carroll College Mission (6:30-7:30 p.m.)
  • Wed, Aug 27 —  Carroll College Club Fair – Join a Club! (5-7 p.m.)
  • Sep 5-7 — Freshman Retreat
  • Sep 13-15 — New Student Backpacking Adventure
  • Sun, Sep 15 — Mass of the Holy Spirit