PURPOSE
Discover Your Why
You are here for a reason and we’re here to support you. Your purpose is unique and evolves as you do. Whether your purpose is tied to a major, an identity, your communities, a career goal, or a cause, reflecting on your purpose will help you craft and personalize your UNL experiences. And if you haven't figured out your purpose, that's okay, too. We are here to help you explore your why throughout your journey.
Questions:
- Why are you here?
- Why UNL?
- What motivates you to pursue a degree?
- What are your dreams? Your values?
- What do you want from your Husker experience?
- What are you passionate about?
- What ideas intrigue you?
- What questions, topics, or disciplines inspire you?
- What courses and experiences will help you explore your purpose and imagine the life you want to live?
Hannah-Kate Kinney
ORIENTATION LEADER
“I was excited to start in my major but realized there were far more career options I could choose from. My first semester at UNL, I got a job within my college to connect with others from my major and learn more about the opportunities in my field. I was able to do job shadowing and hear from real professionals about the work they do. This opened many doors and helped me choose the career path that is best for me!”
OWNERSHIP
Own Your Experience
Your UNL experience belongs to you. Our faculty and staff are here to support you every step of the way, but you are responsible for putting in the work. Owning your experience involves engaging in your courses and learning from and with others in the Husker community. Ownership also means taking advantage of campus resources and planning for opportunities that you want to experience. We are excited to help you make the most of your experience, but you are the owner.
Questions:
- What are your goals for being at UNL and how can you make sure you achieve them?
- What does engaging in learning look like for you?
- How will you prioritize your success?
- How do you plan to organize your time?
- When you experience challenges (and everyone does!) do you know which strategies or supports might help you to bounce back?
- Are you aware of campus resources and services that can also help?
- What new experiences and opportunities would you like to try and how can we help you to plan for them?
Carlos Ortega
ORIENTATION LEADER
“I wanted to pursue an involvement on campus that engaged both my culture and career aspirations, that is why I established a recognized student organization called the Future Teachers of Color where I now serve as the vice president and primary programmer. Through this organization I was able to connect with others from a similar background and create resources to help them be successful in their future career.”
WELL-BEING
Balance Your Whole Self
Well-being is the optimal and dynamic state that allows people to achieve their full potential. Well-being includes physical, emotional, mental, academic, and social factors that impact how you feel and experience your life. By prioritizing your whole self, you help to build a supportive environment for yourself and your fellow Huskers.
Questions:
- How do you balance your academics with your personal life?
- What helps you thrive?
- What are you grateful for?
- How do you prioritize and practice self-care?
- What strengths and practices help you to get through tough times?
- What resources help you the most?
- How can your community support you?
- How can you care for your fellow Huskers?
Gabi Modica
ORIENTATION LEADER
“After I moved into my residence hall at UNL, I had a hard time transitioning and being away from my family. I didn’t talk about it with anyone because I was embarrassed. My friend convinced me that I should go speak to someone about the way I was feeling, and I am so glad I did. Here at UNL, we have Counseling and Psychological Services, or CAPS, right here on campus. I was able to understand that it was ok to be missing home. It is important to know that what you are feeling is valid and it is important that you have someone to talk through things with.”
ENGAGEMENT
Get Involved
Engagement takes place in and outside of the classroom. Within courses, engagement includes actively listening, learning, and participating. Outside the classroom, engagement can mean joining clubs and organizations, attending campus events, undertaking undergraduate research, campus employment, internships, or study abroad, and networking with alumni. Engagement connects you with a diverse range of friends, mentors, professionals, and advocates and enriches your overall well-being. Engagement helps you to be part of something bigger than yourself.
Questions:
- How do you actively engage in your learning? Interact with instructors and peers in courses?
- Are you taking advantage of campus speakers and events?
- What out of class experiences would you like to try?
- Are there any that would help you develop a sense of belonging? Enhance your career goals? Challenge yourself to try something new?
- Are there communities that you'd like to join and enrich?
- How might we help you to prioritize and plan for engagement throughout your Husker experience?
Adam Kendrick
ORIENTATION LEADER
“I was nervous about attending such a large university in an unfamiliar place where I knew no one. But when I got to campus, I got involved in organizations like the University Honors Program, I went to every event I could like Party at the Union and the Big Red Welcome Street Festival, and I started introducing myself to my professors. Pretty soon, campus started feeling like a much smaller place. I recognized people as I walked to my classes, my new friends introduced me to Nebraska traditions like Runza, and I quickly realized that 1/3 of the student body at UNL is out of state students.”
RELATIONSHIPS
Grow Your Communities
At UNL, we believe every person and every interaction matters. Your faculty, staff, and peers are committed to your success. Building intentional relationships will equip you to be successful in and beyond the classroom. By the time you graduate, you'll be part of a strong Husker community and will have friends, faculty, staff, and community members who care about you and are here to support you.
Questions:
- What are you doing to develop meaningful relationships with peers, faculty, and staff?
- Whom do you rely on and who can rely on you?
- Who are your mentors?
- Who else would you like to have in your circle?
- How are you supporting others?
- How are you challenged by the people around you and what are you learning from these relationships?
- Are you developing relationships with people from different identities and backgrounds?
- How do you ensure people around you feel seen, heard, and accepted?
- What are you learning about yourself as your relationships change and evolve throughout your Husker experience?
Santiago Giraldo
ORIENTATION LEADER
“I was worried about finding opportunities across campus and about picking my classes for the coming semesters. I reached out to my academic advisor, and they were able to help me. We talked through my degree planner and picked out classes that would apply to my program. They also helped connect me with opportunities in research and internships. My relationship with my advisor has been one of the most impactful relationships I have cultivated at UNL.”
