ODUGlobal New Student Orientation

The orientation information below applies to new students admitted as fully online, degree-seeking students. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact GlobalOrientation@odu.edu.

 

All New Non-degree Students: Orientation is not required. Contact GlobalNonDegree@odu.edu for assistance with registration.

Time to get started!

First, you must activate your ODU MIDAS account and set up your ODU student email before accessing orientation.  It may take up to 48 hours to fully activate your MIDAS account. Once your MIDAS account is activated, you will be automatically enrolled in the new student orientation in Canvas.

Please allow up to 24 hours for orientation to load into your Canvas site. We encourage you to complete orientation early and revisit it prior to the start of classes as a refresher.

Note: You are not required to complete orientation before enrolling in courses.

If you have trouble accessing the ODUGlobal Orientation in Canvas, contact GlobalOrientation@odu.edu for assistance.

Smiling student sits at computer desk with a laptop and paper notebook

How to Complete the ODUGlobal New Student Orientation

After you confirm your enrollment and activate your MIDAS account and ODU student email, you will be automatically enrolled in the ODUGlobal New Student Orientation. The orientation will appear in your Canvas account within approximately 24 hours.

We strongly encourage all new students to complete the orientation in Canvas before the start of classes.

To access and complete the orientation:

  1. Log in to Canvas at https://canvas.odu.edu.  
  2. Select the Courses icon and click on the Orientation course title. 
  3. Click Modules in the left-hand menu to begin. 
  4. Work through each module at your own pace, reviewing all content carefully. 
  5. Your progress is saved automatically, so you can complete the orientation over multiple sessions. Plan to spend about 2 hours exploring the material, including any linked resources.
  6. Once completed, you will continue to have access to the orientation for future reference.

Note: Your new student checklist will not automatically reflect orientation completion. The ODUGlobal Orientation team tracks completion separately and will send reminders to students who have not finished the orientation before classes begin.

Optional Live Virtual Orientation Sessions
In addition to the self-paced orientation in Canvas, live virtual orientation sessions are offered in the month leading up to the start of the term. These sessions provide an overview of key topics, tips for success in online courses, and an opportunity to ask questions. Registration details will be shared as an announcement within the orientation course in Canvas.

Technical Help

Sometimes, technical issues can be resolved by opening the orientation on a different device (one with a better internet connection) or by switching browsers. Canvas works best with Google Chrome.

If you are still having trouble accessing or completing this orientation, please contact GlobalOrientation@odu.edu for further assistance.