New Graduate STudent Orientation
Welcome to Graduate School, Black Bear!
We are so excited for you to join the graduate community here at UMaine. This site is here to help make your early days, and ultimately your whole graduate experience, the best it can be.
Let’s Get Started
Here are some of the first things you will need to do as a new UMaine graduate student.
Start Getting Ready Here
This page will walk you through all the administrative steps you will need to take now that you’ve accepted your admission offer.
Get Your Mobile MaineCard
The Mobile MaineCard is your official University of Maine ID. It lives in your phone’s digital wallet, such as Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, or Samsung Wallet.
Use Your Car on Campus
UMaine Parking Services offers a variety of permits for students based on their status with the university. Permits can be purchased online, in person, or over the phone.
Get Connected
Visit the IT website learn how to access the Wi-Fi, set up your laptop to print on campus, or reach out for tech support.
In-Person Grad Student Orientation info
Graduate School-Sponsored Orientations
New Teaching Assistant Orientation
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
57 Stodder | 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
This event is the place for new TAs to learn about what teaching at UMaine entails, and provides a chance for you to meet and network with fellow TAs. Lunch and refreshments will be served.
New Graduate Student Orientation
Thursday, August 27, 2026
Nutting 100 | 1:00 – 2:15 p.m.
Info fair & ice cream on Stodder lawn from 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
This information-filled day is a great chance to start your graduate school experience off right. Participants will
- Meet Graduate School staff and members of the Graduate Student Government
- Learn research tips and tricks
- Learn how to find funding
- Learn how to take care of your mental health during your graduate school career and beyond
- Learn about Office of Community and Connections and Student Life resources
Additional Grad Student-Related Trainings & Orientations Around Campus
More information will be added here as it becomes available.
New Graduate Student STEM Teaching Assistant Orientation
Friday, August 28, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
The RiSE (Research in STEM Education) Center is offering an orientation for new graduate student teaching assistants in the sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics and is meant to be in addition to the general orientation offered for all TAs by the Graduate school. This one-day program consists of material specific to being a TA for STEM courses.
This STEM-specific orientation will focus on teaching strategies and approaches that have been shown to be effective in supporting student learning. During this workshop, you will learn about facilitating small and large group discussions with students, discuss features of teaching as part of a multi-section course, practice your first few minutes of class, and meet with the faculty supervisor (and other TAs) for your course.
UMaineOnline & UMaine at Machias Online Orientation
Asynchronous
New online students are strongly encouraged to complete the online orientation. UMaineOnline has designed this orientation in Brightspace, the learning management system on which your classes will be held. Completing the orientation will help you get familiar with the platform before you begin classes.
International Student Orientation
Date and Time TBA
New international graduate students should attend all ISO events that are not in conflict with the Graduate Student Orientation.
International Student Orientation is designed to help you:
- Adjust to academic and social life at the University of Maine
- Comply with government regulations that pertain to your stay in the US
- Learn about on- and off-campus resources and support services
- Meet new people and make friends from around the world
Need to learn Brightspace as an instructor?
The University of Maine uses the Brightspace learning management system (LMS). You can think of the LMS as a portal for your students to gain access to course content including the syllabus, videos, reading materials, assignments, exams, external links, and publisher content. Sign up for an asynchronous online course with optional synchronous Q&A to help you get started.
