As the winds of summer (hopefully) start to cool, our Fall 2022 term comes closer to beginning on The Hilltop, and has already started for some! Whether you are a new Mustang just starting your journey or returning for another year, we’d like to give you a few pointers that can help make your return to campus as simple as possible so you can enjoy all of the experiences SMU has to offer!
Check Your SMU Email
We know there are so many ways to get in contact nowadays, but be sure to keep an eye on your SMU email address, as it is the only address where you will receive official University communications. Be sure to set up your account on your computers and mobile devices for easy access, and don’t forget to update your bulk email subscriptions.
Find Your Way
Need a hand navigating campus? Try the interactive map at smu.edu/map. It works great on mobile devices and is your up-to-date source for building locations. And don’t hesitate to ask your fellow students and faculty/staff for directions. You might just meet a new lifelong friend. Paper maps are available across campus, as well.
Get Microsoft Office
Don’t forget to install Microsoft Office on your devices (up to 10) by visiting smu.edu/office365. It remains active as long as you’re an active SMU student. Smartphone and tablet apps for Office are also available, so you can access your documents anywhere!
Also, additional software and hardware discounts are available at smu.edu/techbuys.
Need More Ports?
If you are finding yourself needing more wired connections in your room, be sure to have the proper equipment. Wired and wireless routers are prohibited on campus, so you must use just a simple Ethernet switch to add additional ports to your room. These are usually called “unmanaged” or “dumb” switches that do no routing.
Please be aware that if you are found using a wireless router, the networking in your room will be disabled until the router is removed.
Connect Your Consoles & TVs
Of course, we can’t be all work and no play! To connect your TVs, game consoles, and smart devices (Amazon Alexa, Google/Apple speakers, etc.) to the network, you’ll need to register them here. Once registered, it will remain connected to the network for 365 days until the device needs to be registered again. Please only use SMU_Guest wireless for devices that can not connect to the secured wireless network (PerunaNet).
Don’t Forget Your Tutor!
You have a tutor available to your 24/7/365 with LinkedIn Learning! LinkedIn Learning has hundreds of courses on topics ranging from Adobe Photoshop, Python programming, public speaking, and interview skills. It’s free for you as a student, so take advantage of this great value. Here are a couple of courses to get you started:
Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing
With easy-to-understand examples, Grammar Girl Mignon Fogarty shares ways you can instantly make your writing better, including using active voice, writing with rhythm, and using commas like a pro. She also dispels a few common grammar myths, gives pointers for breaking up run-on sentences, and much more. Watch just one video or the whole series of these quick tips any time you want to improve your writing skills.
Learning Microsoft 365
Get a tour of Microsoft 365, the cloud version of Microsoft Office. In this course, David Rivers shows how to access your Microsoft 365 account and work with apps—both desktop and browser versions. Dave demonstrates how to create and work with files in OneDrive and sites in SharePoint. He also introduces the basics of working with Teams, the chat/collaboration tool that has become the hub of Microsoft 365.
We’re Here to Help!
And don’t forget that we are here for you during this busy time and throughout your academic career. You can visit our IT Help Desk in person within Fondren Library West near the Starbucks, call us at 214-768-HELP(4357), or send an email to help@smu.edu. Live chat is also available at smu.edu/itchat.
