This year, we welcome our most accomplished first-year class (average GPA of 3.54) to date. To ensure a smooth transition to college life, we’ve put together a brief guide to getting off to a great start. Go, Rhody!

1. Make yourself at home. You’ll find students and staff waiting when you arrive to help you move into one of the 24 student residences on campus. Many have been renovated. Some are brand new and others certified environmentally green. Ninety-five percent of first-year students live on campus in one of 16 residence halls. Fall 2017 move-in dates for first-year residents are September 2 and 3. Upper-class housing (except Wiley Hall) move-in dates are September 4 and 5. Check out our move-in guide, for detailed schedules, room assignments and tips on what to bring. The first day of classes is September 6. Check bus.apps.uri.edu to catch a ride or get your parking permit.

2. Find your people. 16,680 students descend on URI this month. That includes 3,250 first-year students, more than 13,400 undergrads and 2,003 graduate students. Don’t miss the First Night 2017 Block Party for food, fun and fellow students representing the 180+ clubs and organizations on campus. We’ve got clubs and organizations dedicated to a range of interests: sports, politics, the arts, activism, health, wellness, and more. Interested in Greek life, aerospace or raising guide dogs? Want to play cricket or Quidditch? Ghost hunt or ballroom dance? Or, perhaps, a game of humans versus zombies is more your thing? We’ve got you covered.

3. Catch a game. Our men’s basketball team won the 2017 Atlantic 10 Championship, earning a trip to the NCAA Tournament. Our women’s rowing team and men’s baseball and outdoor track-and-field teams all captured Atlantic 10 championships, too. And our women’s sailing and equestrian teams also competed with distinction on the national level in 2017. View our club sports offerings. For all game schedules, team rosters and other stats, visit GoRhody.com.

4. Play. URI offers some of the top athletics facilities in the region, including the Anna Fascitelli Fitness & Wellness Center, the Bradford R. Boss Ice Arena, the Keaney Gymnasium, the Robert P. Arrigan Sailing Pavilion, and the Tootell Aquatic Center. So run, lift, sail and swim. By the way, we offer 518 classes in spinning, yoga and Pilates each year, too.

5. Eat. Really well. What’s on the menu? Anything you want. URI won two gold medals in 2017 for award-winning dining. And you’ve got options: Hope Commons won top honors twice in national competitions (we recommend the retro-style burger bar). The recently renovated Butterfield Hall is a favorite for made-to-order burritos and soft-serve ice cream. Use your Ram Account for Starbucks coffee, Ram Escape fruit smoothies and groceries at the Corner Store, as well as a number of restaurants and retail locations in the Kingston Emporium.

6. Attend an event. Legendary primatologist Jane Goodall will be on campus Sept. 19 as part of the Fall 2017 Honors Colloquium’s series, “Life, the Universe and Everything.” And award-winning actress, comedian, author and television host Whoopie Goldberg headlines Alumni and Family Weekend, October 20-22. Check out the URI Events calendar for a complete list of all activities throughout the school year.

URI President David M. Dooley says, “Building a community in which every member is welcomed, supported, and valued is essential to our University’s identity and our mission. It is who we are.”

And we’re glad you’re a part of it.