Time management tips and professor office hours dominate freshman advice. At ULM, students find success while mastering two factors: the digital tools professors rely on and the physical spaces campus life revolves around. This guide moves beyond the basics to spotlight the essentials, from academic platforms every student needs to the buildings with all kinds of support inside. Students can access most websites through the quick-access tab on the left side of the screen at my.ulm.edu. While several websites are displayed, the ones students use most frequently are Outlook, DegreeWorks, Canvas and myPrint.
Outlook serves as ULM’s official email system, delivering important updates on news, campus events and other announcements. Users can pin important emails by clicking the pin icon, keeping conversations visible instead of being lost in their inbox. The sheer volume of emails can feel overwhelming at times, but checking your inbox daily is strongly recommended to avoid missing crucial announcements.
DegreeWorks provides students with a clear overview of their academic progress by organizing degree requirements into sections, such as the Undergraduate Core Curriculum, Required/Support Classes and more. It also displays classification (freshman, sophomore, etc.), major, academic standing and assigned advisor information.
MyPrint allows students to upload documents and print at any of the red shelf-shaped stations. Printing stations can be found across campus in spots like the HUB, Library and dorms. To print, visit myPrint on a device, select Web Print on the left, then click Submit a Job. Choose a location (the Library for color prints; myPrint virtual for standard jobs), enter your copy count, upload the file, and once submitted, release your print at any station.
Canvas is the central hub for course materials and assignments. After logging in, students interact with 3 primary features: the Dashboard, accessible as a list or card view via the three-dot menu, which shows grades and upcoming assignments; the Courses tab, offering quick access to syllabi, announcements and other materials; and the Calendar, which displays deadlines in a monthly format.
Mastering ULM’s digital landscape is only half the battle: the physical campus holds the other keys to success. From study sanctuaries to hidden resources, these are the places that will transform your college experience from overwhelming to empowered. The library, the seven-story landmark visible across Monroe, offers extensive study spaces and labs across its first six floors. In contrast, the seventh floor houses a terrace, offices and reserved meeting rooms. Beyond quiet workspaces, services include checking out print books at the circulation counter (with a current ULM ID), reserving group study rooms (accommodating two to ten people, ID required) and accessing photo copiers on the first floor and in the second floor Media Services.
Students preparing for professional opportunities can visit the Library’s Warhawk Wardrobe in Room 201E (second floor) to borrow free business attire for interviews and career events. Founded by Christine Berry Ph.D., this initiative is open Monday–Thursday, 8:30–10:30 a.m. and 12:30–2:30 p.m. Despite their similar names, the HUB and SUB serve very different purposes on campus. The HUB is a busy center with popular food spots like Subway, Chick-fil-A and Starbucks. It also houses the Pod convenience store, which sells snacks, chargers and cleaning supplies. Its first floor offers lounge areas, while the second floor provides study and hangout spaces. Far behind the HUB, the SUB—also known as “The Hangar” — primarily hosts campus events such as job fairs, silent discos and seminars on its second floor.
Schulze Dining Hall, located across the bridge from the library, provides an alternative to the HUB with daily service from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. for faculty and on-campus students (ULM ID required). Breakfast features waffles, cereal and rotating Main Dish station selections, while lunch and dinner shift to heartier options, including daily vegan and vegetarian choices. Though the Main Dish station options vary daily, staples such as pizza, salad bars and soup remain available. For those on the go, Schulze offers Styrofoam containers for takeout orders.
ULM partners with Ochsner LSU Health to provide comprehensive campus healthcare through two adjacent facilities: the Hawk Health Clinic and Self-Development, Counseling & Special Accommodations Center. Located together in one building across from Madison Hall (with separate entrances for each), these offices provide distinct services. The clinic welcomes walk-ins for check-ups, immunizations and minor illness treatment, while the counseling center requires appointments. To schedule an appointment, call (318) 342-5220.
While no guide can cover everything a freshman might need help navigating at ULM, this one provides the essential foundation to not just survive, but thrive. Remember: if you ever feel lost while navigating campus or services, just ask. Peers, professors and the hotlines listed on my.ulm.edu are all here to help.
