Fall Onboarding Resources & Schedule

• Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS): watch recording
• Career and Professional Development: The Nicholas School’s Career & Professional Development Center (CPDC) staff has reviewed your resumes and will follow up via email with guidance and suggestions. During orientation, you will have an opportunity to meet one-on-one with someone from the career team to discuss your goals. If you have any questions before then, please do not hesitate to send an email to careers@nicholas.duke.edu.
• Duke Forest: The Duke Forest is a 7,000-acre teaching and research forest, and it remains an outdoor classroom and living laboratory. Regardless of concentration, there is no shortage of ways that MEM and MF students might use the Duke Forest to enhance their academic, professional and personal experiences while they are at the Nicholas School. Duke Forest staff are here to help facilitate any student use of the Forest, such as: 1) participating in ongoing research, 2) enrolling in classes that use the Forest, 3) initiating your own research like a master’s project, 4) creating an independent study, 5) developing environmental education opportunities, 6) applying for assistantships or work study positions, and 7) relaxing and hiking along the roads and trails.
• Duke Gardens: The Duke Gardens, a stunning 55-acre garden nestled in the heart of Duke University, is a must-visit for new students. Its serene beauty and diverse flora make it a perfect spot for relaxation and exploration. We look forward to welcoming you to this natural oasis upon your arrival on campus.
• Duke Marine Lab: The Marine Laboratory is a part of Duke University and is housed within the Nicholas School of the Environment. The programs offered at the Marine Lab play a central role in the school’s mission to provide interdisciplinary educational and research opportunities that address the crucial issue of environmental quality and the sustainable use of natural resources on Earth. Spending a semester, or the entire second year, at the Duke Marine Lab is an option available to students in all concentrations. Most Coastal and Marine Systems (CaMS) students will spend their second year at the Duke University Marine Laboratory in Beaufort, NC. CaMS are not required to spend two semesters at the Marine Lab during their second year, but most students in the CaMS concentration will take advantage of this opportunity. Take a virtual tour of the Marine Lab to learn more.
• Durham Uncovered: Students’ favorite places in the Bull City – watch recording
• Information Technology: Take time to view the NSOE Information Technology’s instructional videos on various IT topics. Also available for your review are these Office of Informational Technology Resources for Students. If you require tech, IT or AV support for your personal devices, contact the Nicholas School’s IT team for assistance.  
• Student Accommodations Process: watch recording
• Student Groups: Nicholas School students are encouraged to participate in various student groups and activities to help build community. You will have a chance to meet students involved in various student groups during orientation.
• Sustainable Name Tag: The Nicholas School provides incoming students with one sustainable name tag, which is typically worn for orientation, interviews, networking, professional opportunities, when meeting alumni, etc. In your application for admission, you already provided your preferred name (first and last) for the sustainable name tag (e.g., John Doe). Students will receive their sustainable nametag at Orientation. Questions? Contact the Student Services Office.
• Water Safety and Swimming Resources: During your studies at the Nicholas School, it is likely you will engage in field and travel activities designed to provide applied, experiential learning. These activities are an essential component of your education and may include day or overnight trips to diverse environments such as forests, streams, mountains, beaches, coastal areas, islands, the ocean, and both urban and rural settings. These excursions offer opportunities to explore and enjoy the outdoor world while gaining practical experiences. Given the nature of these activities, which may occur near, in, or on water, water safety is crucial. Whether you are a new swimmer, a beginner, or an experienced swimmer looking to learn or improve your skills, there are several resources available to you on campus (not an exhaustive list). You are encouraged to take advantage of these resources to enhance your water safety skills. If you have any questions or need further information, reach out to the contacts in this handout.

Learn more about various interdisciplinary opportunities offered at Duke:

• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Practicum, Duke University
• Duke’s Bass Connections bridges the classroom and the real world, allowing students to roll up their sleeves and tackle complex societal problems alongside faculty from across Duke. Each year, Bass Connections offers Masters, PhD, and undergraduate students the opportunity to participate in year-long, interdisciplinary research teams. Watch a brief video overview of the program, presented by Laura Howes, Director, Bass Connections.
• Climate Change Science and Applications Certificate, NSOE
• Communications Studio, NSOE
• Design Climate, Duke University
• Duke Forest, Duke University
• Environmental Law and Policy Clinic, Duke Law School
• Geospatial Analysis Certificate, NSOE
• Global Health Certificate, Global Health Institute
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship Certificate, Duke University
• Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment, & Sustainability, Duke University

Please take some time this fall to familiarize yourself with Stellic, DukeHub, and the course registration resources linked below. In doing this, you’ll be prepared to fill your shopping cart with classes starting on October 20 and begin registering for classes starting October 29. Please note that this section may be updated throughout the registration period, so we encourage you to revisit it periodically.

• Advising: Want to know more how academic advising works? View more information on the Academic Advising page on the Onboarding Resources site. Be on the lookout for more information about academic advising in the fall ePacks!
• Course Registration Resources: All course registration-related resources are available in the Course Registration and Academic Advising Resources folder in Duke Box.
  • Course Registration Overview: watch recording & view slide deck.
  • Explore these Registration Guides for New Students.
• Concentration Change Requests/Degree Add Form: The deadline for submitting this form is January 21, 2026.
• Shopping Carts: The Shopping Cart in DukeHub is where you can gather courses you are interested in taking. You can move courses from your Shopping Cart to your registration record when registration opens. Adding courses to your shopping cart does not mean enrolling in the course.
  • View DukeHub course registration help guides at the central registrar’s office website. You will receive more detailed communications about course registration this fall.
• Stellic: Take some time to explore Stellic, NSOE’s degree audit tool.
  • Overview of Stellic session: watch recording & view slide deck.

• New students are encouraged to move to Durham, NC, at least one week before the start of Orientation. Once you arrive, take time to settle in and identify resources in your community.
• Make sure you have reliable internet before the start of the semester.
• Students should plan to use their residential address to receive personal postal mail.
• Check out DukeList for rentals, job listings, and go to JobX to view on- and off-campus jobs.
• Living on a Grad Student Budget (watch recording & view slide decks)

• Check your Duke email regularly and respond if needed.
• Review your course syllabi at the beginning of the semester. Keep up with the readings/assignments. Manage your work and time. Expect more significant projects to require more time to complete and plan accordingly. Communicate challenges to the instructor/TA.
• Connect with students, faculty, staff, and other members of the broader Duke community. They are your current and future environmental colleagues.
• Practice self-care and prioritize your health and wellness. Duke has several resources to support student wellness –Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Duke Reach, Wellness Center, Student Health, DuWell, Office for Institutional Equity, and many other resources.
• Make time to have fun and enjoy time with friends!
• If you do not know where to go or who to talk to, please contact the Student Services team. We are here for you!