What to Do Before Classes Start 

Classes start Wednesday, August 26. Here's everything to handle before that first week hits. 

You've got the housing sorted. Now comes the rest: course registration, coordinating with roommates, prepping for Bozeman's fall weather, and actually showing up to class ready. This checklist covers the stuff nobody remembers until it's too late, plus the boötes-specific setup you need if you're moving in near campus. 

Quick Answer: The Fall Semester Prep You Need to Finish 

Get your course registration locked in, confirm your boötes move-in date and time, coordinate essentials with roommates, set up your student ID and campus tech, grab Bozeman-specific gear (hiking boots, rain layers), and run through the boötes amenity tour during your first week. Everything else flows from those steps. 

6 Weeks Out: The Registration and Academic Side 

Check Your Registration Window 

Registration opens by student classification, so log into your MSU student account and find your exact registration start date. Missing your window means fewer course options, so mark it on your calendar. 

Plan Your Course Schedule 

  • Look at your syllabi once courses are live; confirm labs, recitations, and exam times don't stack on top of each other 

  • Check MSU's academic calendar for add/drop deadlines, midterm dates, and finals week (this fall, finals run December 14–17) 

  • Look at your class locations on campus; if you're off-campus at boötes, know the walk or drive time so you're not late on day one 

Meet With Your Academic Advisor (if needed) 

If you're undecided on major, changing programs, or need course substitutions, meetings book up in late summer. Grab a slot now if you need one. 

4 Weeks Out: Housing and Roommate Coordination 

Confirm Your boötes Move-In Date and Time 

Call the leasing office at (406) 545-3177 or use bootesbozeman.com/contact to nail down your exact move-in slot. Coordination matters if you're moving in the same week as the university's official move-in period. 

Lock In Your Roommate Group 

  • Confirm everyone in your unit is actually coming back or are you changing up the group? 

  • If you need roommates, ask boötes about their roommate matching program so you're not living with someone random 

  • Sync calendars now: move-in dates, start date, and who's arriving when 

Coordinate What Roommates Are Bringing 

This saves space and money. Examples: 

  • One person brings the TV and speaker system; someone else handles shared kitchen items 

  • Divide up groceries you'll share (oils, spices, snacks) 

  • Decide together on shared study space setup 

Ask boötes About Parking and Garage Access 

If you're in a 4-bed townhome with an attached garage, confirm how access works and get your spot assigned before move-in. If you're bringing a car to on-site parking, register it ahead of time. 

3 Weeks Out: Bozeman Weather and Gear Prep 

Pack For Montana Fall

Late August in Bozeman runs warm during the day but drops fast at night, and early September brings rain. 

  • Bring layers: a light jacket or fleece for mornings and evenings 

  • Rain jacket and umbrella for afternoon thunderstorms (common in Montana summers) 

  • Hiking boots and a decent backpack since trails around Bozeman are the main weekend move 

  • Sunscreen for high elevation (Bozeman sits at 4,844 feet) 

Know The Weather Pattern

Bozeman's fall season swings between warm days and cold nights until you hit mid-October. Plan your wardrobe and outdoor plans accordingly. 

2 Weeks Out: Campus Tech and Student Life 

Activate Your Student ID and NetID 

These come in the mail or get issued at orientation. You need your NetID to: 

  • Access course materials on the MSU portal 

  • Register for classes 

  • Use campus WiFi 

  • Access the fitness center and campus amenities 

Set Up Your MSU Email and Learning Management System 

Fall courses use the MSU LMS (learning management system) for syllabi, assignments, and grades. Log in once before classes start so you know how to navigate it. 

Get The MSU App 

Download it on your phone for campus maps, dining hours, event calendars, and emergency alerts. 

Familiarize Yourself With Campus Resources 

  • Writing Center hours and location (free tutoring for papers) 

  • Library hours and study room booking 

  • Counseling and health services (both free for students) 

  • Recreation center hours and memberships 

1 Week Out: The Final boötes Checklist 

Confirm Your Exact Move-In Time Slot 

Text or call the boötes leasing office one more time. Late-August move-in runs busy, and showing up at the wrong time means a long wait. 

Test Your boötes Smart Home Tech Before You Need It 

Once you get your keys: 

  • Log into the smart home app so you know how to lock/unlock, adjust temperature, and control lighting 

  • Test the washer and dryer on a small load 

  • Make sure WiFi is connected to all your devices 

Set Shared-Space Expectations With Roommates 

Before everyone's tired and stressed: 

  • Agree on quiet hours 

  • Divide up chores (kitchen, bathroom, common areas) 

  • Set a guest policy 

  • Decide on shared fridge/freezer organization 

Pick Up Essentials Before Move-In Day 

Hit a Bozeman grocery store the day after you arrive so you're not ordering takeout for your first week. 

Your First Week On Campus 

Walk or Drive Your Commute to MSU 

Time the route from boötes to your first class. Parking near campus fills up fast during the first week, so knowing whether you're walking, biking, or driving (and where to park) saves stress on day one. 

Take The boötes Amenities Tour 

During your first week, explore: 

  • Year-round spa, cold plunge, and infrared sauna 

  • 24-hour fitness center and studio classes 

  • Study pods and group study rooms (you'll need these for midterms and finals) 

  • Gourmet demo kitchen for group meals 

  • Game lounge, pizza oven, and outdoor common spaces 

  • Bike and ski storage 

Register Your Bike and Get Comfortable On Campus Routes 

Bozeman is a bike-friendly town, especially in August and September before snow. Boötes has dedicated bike storage, so lock it up and ride around campus and downtown. 

Go to Your Professor's Office Hours (Even if You Don't Think You Need To) 

Showing your face in office hours during week one builds rapport. If you hit a rough week later in the semester, your professor already knows who you are. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

When Exactly Does the Fall 2026 Semester Start? Classes start Wednesday, August 26, 2026. Most students move in the week before. 

What if I'm Not Ready to Move In the Week Before Classes Start? Contact the boötes leasing office right away about alternate move-in dates. Most student housing communities have move-in flexibility, but earlier is easier to coordinate than last-minute. 

Do I Need to Bring My Computer to MSU? Yes. MSU courses use digital course materials, the learning management system, and online quizzes. Most students bring a laptop or tablet. 

Is There Anything boötes Provides That I Don't Need to Bring? Yes. Skip furniture, a washer and dryer, and major appliances. Your boötes apartment is furnished and includes in-home laundry. Bring bedding, personal decor, bathroom essentials, and kitchen items instead. 

How Do I Register for Classes if I've Already Moved Into boötes? You can register from anywhere with internet. MSU's portal works on your phone or laptop, so don't wait to move to campus. 

What Should I Do if I'm Feeling Overwhelmed Before the Semester Starts? That's normal. Break the prep into small steps instead of trying to do everything at once. The checklist above is ordered by when each piece actually matters, so follow that timeline. 

Does boötes Help With Roommate Matching? Yes. If you need roommates or want to swap, ask the leasing office about the roommate matching program.

 

Ready to move into boötes before the semester starts? Schedule a tour or contact the leasing office to lock in your move-in date. 

boötes is an Equal Housing Opportunity community.