First-Year Students

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Academic advisors empower our students to become active, intentional and engaged members on their educational journey.

We provide accessible and inclusive information and resources to support the needs of our students. As such, our commitment to our students is founded on the values of inclusivity, empowerment and critical thinking to ensure our students are heard, respected and capable. At the end of their academic journey, we encourage our graduates to apply their unique strengths as they venture confidently into the world and pursue their goals.

New first-year students should meet with their assigned first-year advisor for any advising-related needs during their first two semesters.

Connect with Advisors

Advisors serve as partners in your college experience. We'll help you establish your academic goals, and understand what your academic options are as you progress through any majors and secondary areas of study. Your role as a student is to engage with us.ÌýCome prepared to discuss your experiences and academic goals. We'd love for you to partner with us so we can help you reach your full potential. Prepare for your meeting with us by reviewing the .

Ìý Meet With Your Advisor ÌýÌý

First-Year Advising

Campus Resources

Types of Advising Support

  • Get quick questions answered without an appointment! Typical time spent: 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Campus-wide drop-ins: Mondays, 1 to 3 p.m. Meet with your CMDI advisor or an advisor from aÌýdifferent college.
  • Plan to meet with your advisor before registering for classes in fall (November) and spring (March).
  • Prepare questions and check your degree auditÌýon Buff Portal Advising before your appointment!
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  • You can email your advisor directly with questions!ÌýEmail first-year advisors Majed Alghamdi (ENVD only),Sam Whitaker (all CMDI majors),ÌýPaige Wilson (all CMDI majors).
  • Make sure to include your student ID number in all correspondence. This is how we look up your student record.
  • Generally, advisors answer email during normal business hours:ÌýMondays through Fridays,Ìý9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please allow one to two business days for advisors to respond.
  • Students are required to use their assigned @colorado.edu email for all advising correspondence.Ìý
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  • Group advising is an opportunity to learn important skills and information for your program while connecting with your CMDI peers.
  • Group advising sessions will be offered during your first year to give you tools and skills when you need them! See the group advising schedule and sign-up for sessions by viewing your advisor’s calendar in Buff Portal Advising.
  • Group advising includes registration labs, orientation and academic workshops, informal community gatherings and more!

CMDI Registration

Spring 2026 Registration Timeline

October

Oct. 27 - Nov. 6Ìý

  • Attend a Registration Readiness workshop to learn important skills and information for your program while connecting with your CMDI peers! Note: you only need to attend one registration readiness workshop to plan for spring.
    • Students are expected to attend a group advising session before scheduling one-on-one meetings with their assigned advisor.
    • Each workshop includes a required presentation followed by optional working time for individual planning for spring semester.
    • Workshops are offered both in-person and virtually, and all sessions are held in Mountain Standard Time (MST). Be sure to add your selected workshop to your calendar!
    • Sign up for a workshop now throughÌý.

Oct. 28

Reminders

  • Transfer any credit: Incoming first-year students may already have college credit from AP or IB examsÌýor from dual-credit/concurrent-enrollment programs. To receive credit students must submit final, official documents directly to CU.
  • . Find information about how to submit your final scores directly on the or websites.
  • Final official transcripts for dual credit or concurrent enrollment coursework must be sent directly from the college-level institution to CU Boulder’s office of admission or can be emailed.
  • Make sure to also notify your assigned advisor of any AP/IB/college credit that you may have to make sure you’re planning appropriate spring classes!

Oct. 27 - Nov. 6: Attend a Registration Readiness workshop to learn important skills and information for your program while connecting with your CMDI peers! Note: you only need to attend one registration readiness workshop to plan for spring.Ìý

  • Students are expected to attend a group advising session before scheduling one-on-one meetings with their assigned advisor.
  • Each workshop includes a required presentation followed by optional working time for individual planning for spring semester.
  • Workshops are offered both in-person and virtually, and all sessions are held in Mountain Standard Time (MST). Be sure to add your selected workshop to your calendar!
  • Sign up for a workshop now throughÌý.

Nov. 10 - 21: Attend a Registration Drop-In for support during spring registration!

  • These drop-in hours are first-come, first-served and are most appropriate for quick and timely questions related to your schedule. Drop in to get your schedule checked or adjusted as needed by your advisor before or during your registration.
  • View meeting details and available times in .Ìý

Reminders

  • Transfer any credit: Incoming first-year students may already have college credit from AP or IB examsÌýor from dual-credit/concurrent-enrollment programs. To receive credit students must submit final, official documents directly to CU.
  • . Find information about how to submit your final scores directly on the or websites.
  • Final official transcripts for dual credit or concurrent enrollment coursework must be sent directly from the college-level institution to CU Boulder’s Office of Admissions or can be emailed.
  • Make sure to also notify your assigned advisor of any AP/IB/college credit that you may have to make sure you’re planning appropriate spring classes!

Check your schedule and make adjustments as needed. Ensure that you remain at or above 12 credit hours to maintain full-time student status. Contact your advisor with any questions via Buff Portal Advising.

Dec. 5:ÌýLast day of fall 2025 classes

Check if you are on waitlists: CMDI advisors recommend avoiding waitlists whenever possible. In the rare instances when waitlisting for a class is necessary, follow these guidelines:

  • Always have a backup course.Ìý When you are waitlisted you are not enrolled in a course. You will have access to the Canvas page, but that is not a guarantee you will be enrolled.Ìý Make sure you have a backup class in case you do not enroll.
  • Set up Drop If Enrolled for your alternate course. Make sure you add the open course first before waitlisting for your preferred section.
  • Waitlists are never guaranteed. Don’t assume enrollment, no matter your waitlist position!
  • Do not ask professors for permission to enroll in a class. They will refer you to academic advising for help adjusting your schedule to enroll in open classes.
  • Attend both your waitlisted and alternate courses.Ìý This way you are not behind on coursework for the class you ultimately end up taking.
  • More information about waitlists →

Jan. 8:ÌýFirst day of the spring 2026 semester

First Year Registration Readiness workshops

Attend group advising workshops to learn important skills and information for your program while connecting with your peers! Students are expected to attend group advising sessions before scheduling one-on-one meetings with their assigned advisor.Ìý Each workshop includes a required presentation followed by optional working time for individual planning. Workshops are offered both in-person and virtually, and all sessions are held in Mountain Standard Time (MST). Be sure to add your selected workshop to your calendar!

Workshop format

  • Required Presentation: 30 minutes
  • Optional Individual Working Time: 45 minutes

During the workshop, you will:

  • Learn essential tools and skills for class registration.
  • Plan potential spring schedule options.
  • Get answers to your registration and enrollment questions.
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Registration Labs

Attend a Registration Lab for support for spring registration! These drop-in hours are first-come, first-serve. This time is appropriate for quick and timely questions. Drop-ins cannot be reserved in advance. Show up by using the Zoom link via Buff Portal Advising to enter the waiting room. Students will be seen in the order that they arrive. There can be a wait, so please have your questions and Student ID number ready! All appointments are in Mountain Standard Time (MST).

Please try to have access to a computer and the internet during your appointments.

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Continuing Students

First Year and Second Year at CMDI

First-Year Students

New first-year students should meet with their assigned first-year advisorÌýfor any advising-related needs during their first academic year.

When meeting with your first-year advisor, students are encouraged to consider the following:Ìý

  • Explore a variety of areas of study, learn about events, academic opportunities, etc.
  • Collaborate on a degree planning guide to include your academic goals.
  • Ask your advisor if there are ways to incorporate your other interests into the plan you create.
  • Create a class list of possible courses to take future semesters. Continuing students register for classes on their own and during their assigned enrollment appointment.
Continuing Students

After the first year at CU is complete, continuing students will transition to a major—or upper division—advisor for future academic support.

Students will stay with this advisor through the remainder of their time in CMDI. Advisor transitions for continuing students take place at the end of May.ÌýCheck your assigned advisor in Buff Portal Advising! When connecting with your new upper-division advisor, students are encouraged to consider the following:Ìý

  • Secondary Area of Study, minors,ÌýandÌýcertificates
  • Long-term planning and graduation timeline
  • Career and professional development
  • Clubs, organizations and Education Abroad
Student Counseling Services

Counseling and Psychiatric ServicesÌý(CAPS) offers confidential, on-campus mental health and psychiatric services for a variety of concerns such as academics, anxiety, body image, depression, relationships, substance use and more. All services are remote this semester.Ìý

Screening appointments can be scheduled through the . This is the first step for all clinical services.Ìý

  • SilverCloud Health: CU’s online program to support emotional health and well-being at your own pace.
  • Peer Wellness Coaching: Free service available to all CU Boulder students. Attend one-on-one virtual meetings with peer coaches to help set and achieve wellness goals. Schedule a session online.Ìý
  • CAPS hosts workshops on a variety of topics. ViewÌýupcoming dates for workshops on managing anxiety, practicing mindfulness, determining ways to coping with emotions, and methods to manage stress.
  • Health and Wellness Services also hosts workshops. VisitÌýtheir siteÌýfor workshops on managing anxiety, practicing healthy sleeping habits, and managing stress.
  • Feel Good FridaysÌýis a drop-in group that lead you through a powerful guided meditation to help you reduce stress, relax and feel better.ÌýÌý

Trinity Bryant

CMDI Embedded Therapist
Wellness
trinity.bryant@colorado.edu

Ìý Visit Ìý