VISP and UW-Madison will provide you with tools and resources to help you succeed while studying on our campus. Review this orientation material and be sure to ask if you have any questions.
Your Access to Campus
You’ve already started accessing some components of your electronic campus access.
MyUW
Your MyUW is your campus portal home. Accessible via https://my.wisc.edu, your MyUW portal can be customized based on your preferences. We recommend having the following tiles near the top of your MyUW for easy access:

Canvas – Access to online components of many classes
Email – Access to your @wisc.edu email address
Wiscard Balance – Keep track of your Wiscard balance for meal purchases on-campus and more.
Course Search & Enroll – As you finalize your course schedule, it may be helpful to keep this tile in your account.
MyUHS – All enrolled students have access to University Health Service (UHS), the student clinic. Through this app you can make and see upcoming appointments and more. Check out the Health & Safety Orientation Module for more information about UHS.
Student center – Update your personal information, see course details, and more.
Your Wiscard
After your arrival in Madison, your first step to gaining access to campus is obtaining your Wiscard photo ID. Your Wiscard is used for all sorts of things around campus including:
- Access to gyms, libraries, student unions, computer labs, and your residence hall (if living on campus).
- Use as payment in on-campus dining locations as well as at the student unions.
- Also use it to obtain your free city bus pass after your arrival.
Orientation
Academic Resources
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Resources from Video
Disability Resource Center
Students who have a documented disability (including learning disabilities) are eligible to receive accommodations through the McBurney Disability Resource Center.
Accommodations:
- Adaptive/Assistive Technology
- Alternative Formats (Document Conversion, Braille, large print, audio)
- Alternative Testing (Test Accommodations)
- Course Substitution Evaluation
- Laboratory Assistance
- Notetaking
- Preferential Seating
- Reduced Credit Load Recommendation
And MORE…
Downloadable video guide (PDF)
You can download a PDF version of the Academic Resources video.
Understanding Academic Misconduct
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Resources from Video
Links included in the video:
- Learn more about academic misconduct from the Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards
- The Writing Center can help you understand assignments, cite your sources, and meet the standards of academic integrity.
Downloadable video guide (PDF)
You can download a PDF version of the Academic misconduct video.
Preparing for your Classes
After you have reviewed the Course Enrollment Orientation Module and added some classes to your schedule, it’s time to start preparing for them to begin.
The US Classroom
You may find that some aspects of the classroom in the United States are quite similar to how things are back home. Other things might be very different. Be sure to check out each one for more information.
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Instructors & Teaching Assistants (TAs)
Instructors lead classes at UW-Madison. In addition to your instructors, some larger classes will also have teaching assistants (TAs). Teaching assistants often guide discussion or lab sections, and sometimes assist the instructor with grading.
Each week, your instructors and teaching assistants will hold office hours to help answer questions outside of class. These office hours will be listed on your course syllabus. We recommend visiting office hours if you have questions.
Course Components - Lecture, discussions, and labs
These are common components of courses in a US university. Your individual classes may vary, so see the course description for more information:
- Lecture – A lecture is usually lead by the instructor of the class. Some classes only have a lecture section, and others have additional mandatory components as well. In larger classes, the lecture section is usually time for the professor/instructor to provide broad course content. Exams are often also scheduled during the lecture section.
- Discussion – In classes with more students, you might have separate discussion sections where the course material can be discussed in a smaller break out group. These sections are often taught by teaching assistants, and are meant to further understanding and discuss key issues covered in the lecture.
- Laboratory – Most often included in science or engineering classes, labs serve much like discussion sections and allow for hands-on practice of the content covered in the lecture.
Textbooks
Check your Student Center, Canvas account, course description, or syllabus for textbook information. You can purchase your textbooks online, from the University Bookstore, or from other local bookstores in Madison. Some classes have printed course packets instead of textbooks, which you can find at local print shops.
Syllabus
You should receive your syllabus for each class on the first day or beforehand from your instructor. Your syllabus will include the course meeting times, professor office hours, homework, grading information, final exam time, and other very important information.
Be sure to keep copies of all syllabus to give to your home university after you return. It may be difficult to obtain a new copy of lost syllabi after the fact.
Homework
In the US university setting, you will likely have a large amount of homework and projects to do outside of class. You should plan on spending several hours each week per class to complete these course requirements. All homework and exams should be listed in the course syllabus, which you should receive the first day of class.
Attendance
Unlike in some other countries, course attendance is very important during your time at UW-Madison. It is a visa requirement to attend classes regularly. Attendance is also sometimes factored into your course grade. Some professors allow excused absences with doctor’s notes or other proof, and others do not.
Refer to your course syllabus for more information about your specific course requirements, and ask your professor what they prefer you do if you need to be absent due to illness or other urgent matters.
Final Exam Schedule - Check before classes start
The final exam information (if any) should be included in the course description. Before your classes begin, be sure that you do not have overlapping final exams or other scheduling issues. It can be difficult if not impossible to reschedule final exams. You may have to change classes if you have two final exams scheduled at the same time.