Attending Fall 2026 Pre-Semester Version
Arrange your Schedule
Attendance in Connections is graded. Much of the learning that occurs in Connections is a result of participation in class discussions and activities. It is difficult, if not impossible, to recreate or make up a missed class or workshop. Class for the pre-semester version of Connections is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. The Connections luminary is also considered mandatory class time, and it is held Friday night from 8:30-10 p.m. Arrange your schedule and work obligations accordingly.
Get your Parking Pass
No special parking is provided for Connections students, so buy your parking permit prior to August 26th, 2026 so you don't have to worry about that on the first day of Connections.
Plan your Meals
Connections students are responsible for meals during the class (Connections instructors will provide lunch one day during the course). Students with meal plans can use them in the dining halls, and dining locations on campus will be open for students wanting to purchase meals.
Log into Canvas and Submit Summer Homework
Due: August 26th, 2026
Log into your Connections Canvas course and complete the summer homework about Becoming a Learner. This assignment is due before you arrive at class on Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at 9 a.m. The book Becoming a Learner will be available for you to read in Canvas with your other course materials.
Submit your Waiver
Due: August 26th, 2026
Log into Canvas and submit your waiver as a "quiz" in your Connections course before class starts. If you will be under 18 years of age prior to August 26, 2026 you are required to have your parents or guardians sign in ink and upload a signed waiver to that quiz.
Check into Housing
Starting: August 22nd, 2026
If you are living on campus you may check-in to your residence hall starting August 22nd, 2026. If you are living off campus, please check with your landlord to see when you are eligible to move in. Details for on-campus housing check-in will come directly from the area office where you are living.
Check in and Visit the Information Fair
Date: Tuesday, August 25th, 2026
Come any time between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to check in, get your t-shirt, and visit information booths for campus organizations, faith communities, local banks, credit unions, and grocery stores.
Begin Class
Date: August 26, 2026 at 9:00am
If you elected to use the Aggie Access Textbook program, you will receive a copy of Becoming a Learner when you log into Canvas. Be ready to pull this up in class, as it will provide the foundation for many of your discussions. You should also take a notebook and a pen/pencil.
Aggie Shuttle Routes
- On Wednesday-Friday (26-28), the Aggie Shuttle will be running special routes to help you get to and from class.
- 8:00-9:30am | 11:00-2:00pm | 3:30-5:00pm
- Campus Loop, Stadium/8th East Express
Attend Evening Activities
After classes during Connections week, students are encouraged to participate in various evening activities. Whether you are from Boston or Smithfield, you will benefit from meeting other students and making connections with your peers. While evening activities are optional, they are highly recommended (the luminary on Friday night is not optional).
Attending Fall 2026 7-Week Version
Attend Class Starting the First Week of Fall Semester
Attendance in Connections is graded. Much of the learning that occurs in Connections is a result of participation in class discussions and activities. It is difficult, if not impossible, to recreate or make up a missed class or workshop. You will register for a section of Connections with specific meeting times. Arrange your schedule and work obligations to ensure you can attend. You are not required to check in for the Connections class, you can simply attend your first scheduled class.
Log into Canvas
Starting: August 31, 2026
Your Canvas course will be available starting August 31, 2026. You are not required to log into the Canvas course and participate in pre-class homework, but you are welcome to look around.
Submit your Waiver
Log into Canvas and submit your waiver as a "quiz" in your Connections course by the first day of class. If you will be under 18 years of age prior to the start of your class, you are required to have your parents or guardians sign in ink and upload a signed waiver to that quiz.
Pre-Connections Experiences
Several offices on campus provide phenomenal pre-Connections experiences to incoming students. While these programs are not part of the Connections course, they are perfectly designed to allow you to return to campus in time to participate in a pre-semester version of Connections.