Overview
Congratulations on your decision to join the USF St. Petersburg community! Whether you are starting classes during the summer or fall, be sure your journey as a Bull includes the New Student Success Weekend on August 23 – 25.
Held the weekend before the start of fall classes, this fun-filled on-campus experience will help you connect with other incoming students, learn more about campus traditions and community resources, and take charge of your success as a USF Bull.
- If you have submitted your RSVP to attend, you should check your email for your event confirmation and information.
Online reservations to attend have closed, but walk-ins to attend are available for first-year students. Please see the event greeters at the USC Lobby on Friday, August 23 from 9am-9:30am. Walk-ins will close at 9:45am.
The weekend is anchored with workshops on Friday, August 23, 2024. All first year students enrolling in the fall semester are expected to attend Friday, August 23, 2024 and are invited to attend optional events on Saturday, August 24 and Sunday, August 25. 2024.
Students living in the Residence Halls planning to attend New Student Success Weekend should schedule a move-in appoitnment on Thursday, August 22, prior to the New Student Success Weekend with Housing and Residential Education.
Friday, August 23, 2024
| Time | Activity | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 9:30 AM-10:00 AM | Check In | USC Ballrooms |
| 10:00 AM-10:20 AM | Welcome | USC Ballrooms |
| 10:30 AM-11:20 PM | Small Group Activities | Classrooms |
| 11:30 AM-12:30 PM | Playfair Event | USC Ballrooms |
|
12:40 PM- 1:20 PM |
Lunch (Groups 1 - 4) Real Talk: Advice from USF Faculty (Groups 1 - 4) |
The Nest Classrooms |
|
12:40 PM- 1:20 PM 1:30 PM- 2:20 PM |
Real Talk: Advice from USF Faculty (Groups 5 - 8) Lunch (Groups 5 - 8) |
Classrooms
|
| 2:30 PM - 3:20 PM | Real Talk: Advice from USF Students | Classrooms |
| 3:30 PM - 3:50 PM |
SAIL Sessions |
Davis Hall Classrooms |
| 4:00 PM - 4:20 PM |
SAIL Sessions |
Davis Hall Classrooms |
| 4:30 PM | NSE Launch Event | USC Ballrooms |
| 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM |
Dinner Dinner and Floor Meetings |
The Nest |
| 8:00 PM | Club USFSP | USC Ballrooms |
SATURDAY, August 24, 2024
All new fall first-year students are invited to attend events on Saturday, August 24, 2024 that showcase our extended community, the city of St. Petersburg - a place that combines natural beauty with the excitement of city life. There will be morning optional excursion and additional afternoon excursions, including a community service opportunity. Excursions exploring St. Petersburg include:
- Community Service. Student led service sites include Ronald McDonald House.
- Explore Downtown St. Pete. Enjoy a Trolley experience with stops throughout downtown for you to explore including:
Sundial Shopping, St. Pete Pier, and Beach Drive.
- Dalí Museum. Enjoy free admission to a museum dedicated to the works of Salvador Dalí with rotating special exhibits.
- Tampa Bay Watch Eco Tour (limited to 45 participants). Discover the Tampa Bay ecosystem with our expert marine science educators! Moored at Gate 23 on the St. Pete Pier, our USCG-certified eco-vessel provides family-friendly boat tours, private charters, and school field trips. Guests will enjoy wildlife watching, learning about the area’s history, experiencing marine species up close, and more. Sunset cruises are also available. This is a fun, unique, affordable way to explore the estuary from the water.
- Trolley Mural Tour (limited to 30 participants). Join us for a SHINE Mural Tour on board Star Trolley®
for a 2.5-hour journey celebrating St. Petersburg's artistic spirit. This tour, a
unique collaboration between Star Trolley and the renowned SHINE® Mural Festival,
showcases the city's transformation into a world-class outdoor gallery.
- Explore Central Ave, St. Pete's Coolest Street. Enjoy a Trolley experience with stops throughout Grand Central District, a famed arts-entertainment district that includes shops, restaurants, galleries, and much more.
After a Saturday day out and about in St. Petersburg, from 7-9pm, don't miss the Shrek Movie Night, your special welcome event to the "St. Petersburg campus swamp!" You're invited to watch the movie and play Bingo along with the movie for a chance to win prizes!
SUNDAY, August 25, 2024
Get ready for classes! The campus bookstore is open on Sunday for your last minute needs.
And, if your aren't sure where your classes are, we got you! Join us during Week of Welcome for a guided tour with a campus navigator! This is
a fantastic opportunity to familiarize yourself with the campus and locate your classes
before the semester begins. Don’t miss out on this chance to ease your first-day jitters
and start your school year with confidence! Join us from August 25, 1- 3pm located
in the breezeway between Davis & Bayboro. Sign-up to attend!
The Marina Mingle has been postponed due to the prospect of inclemet weather. Keep an eye out for a new date to be announced soon. Campus Recreation facilities will be open for the day. Be sure to visit us!
HOUSING & MEALS
Designed to help you transition seamlessly into university life, New Student Success Weekend takes place at no additional cost to incoming Fall 2024 students. Already have an on-campus housing contract? More information will follow on how this experience will partner with your move in process.
Meals will be provided for Friday for all participants. On Saturday and Sunday, meals for those that opt in to events schedule for the day.
BENEFITS
- Connect to campus and your peers
- Learn the “How-To’s” of college life
- Become a part of campus traditions
- Get to know your support networks
Questions?
Email COMPASS at stp-newstudent@usf.edu or call 727-873-4003.