Getting Started with Discord: A Complete Guide for Campus Collab Members

Getting Started with Discord

Welcome to Campus Collab! Discord is where our community comes alive. If you're new to Discord, don't worry—this guide will walk you through everything step by step.

What is Discord?

Discord is a free communication platform that combines text chat, voice calls, and video conferencing. Think of it as a mix between Slack, WhatsApp, and Zoom, but specifically designed for communities.

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Step 1: Create Your Discord Account

Desktop: 1. Go to [discord.com](https://discord.com) 2. Click **"Open Discord in your browser"** or **"Download for [Your OS]"** 3. Click **"Register"** (top right) 4. Enter your email, username, password, and date of birth 5. Complete the CAPTCHA verification 6. Check your email and click the verification link

Mobile: 1. Download Discord from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android) 2. Tap **"Register"** 3. Follow the same steps as desktop

💡 Pro Tip: Choose a professional username—this is how everyone in Campus Collab will see you!

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Step 2: Join the Campus Collab Server

Once your account is ready:

1. Click this invite link: Join Campus Collab Discord (replace with actual link) 2. You'll see a preview of our server 3. Click "Accept Invite" 4. You're in! 🎉

First-time users: Discord will ask if you want to download the desktop app—we recommend it for the best experience.

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Step 3: Set Up Your Profile

Make a great first impression:

1. Click your profile picture (bottom left) 2. Click "Edit User Profile" 3. Upload a profile picture (helps people recognize you) 4. Add an About Me (mention your field: Design, Business, Tech, etc.) 5. Click "Save Changes"

Optional but recommended: - Set a custom status to share what you're working on - Choose a profile banner (available with Nitro, but not required)

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Step 4: Understand Server Structure

Our Discord server is organized into channels. Here's what you'll see:

📢 Announcements - **#welcome** - Start here! Introduce yourself - **#announcements** - Important updates from the Campus Collab team - **#events** - Upcoming workshops, panels, and community events

💬 General - **#general-chat** - Casual conversations - **#introductions** - Tell us about yourself! - **#questions** - Ask anything—no question is too basic

🎨 Disciplines - **#design** - For designers and creatives - **#business** - Marketing, strategy, entrepreneurship - **#tech** - Development, data, AI, and all things technical

🛠️ Projects & Collaboration - **#project-showcase** - Share what you're building - **#find-collaborators** - Looking for team members? - **#feedback** - Get constructive input on your work

🎓 Resources - **#opportunities** - Jobs, internships, competitions - **#resources** - Curated learning materials - **#office-hours** - Weekly Q&A with community leads

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Step 5: Introduce Yourself

Head to #introductions and post:

``` Hi everyone! 👋

I'm [Your Name], a [year] student studying [field] at [university].

I'm here to [learn design/build projects/connect with others].

Currently working on: [brief description or "just getting started!"]

Feel free to reach out—I'd love to connect! ```

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Step 6: Customize Your Notifications

Don't want to be overwhelmed? Customize what you see:

1. Right-click the Campus Collab server icon 2. Click "Notification Settings" 3. Choose: - All Messages (get notified of everything) - Only @mentions (only when someone tags you or @everyone) - Nothing (check manually)

💡 Tip: Set important channels like #announcements to "All Messages" and casual channels to "@mentions only."

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Step 7: Use Channels Effectively

Replying to Messages - **Desktop:** Hover over a message and click the reply arrow - **Mobile:** Long-press a message and select "Reply"

Reacting to Messages - Add emojis by clicking the smile icon or typing `:emoji_name:`

Mentioning Someone - Type `@username` to notify them - Use `@here` for online members only (use sparingly!) - Use `@everyone` only if you're a moderator

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Step 8: Join Voice/Video Channels

Perfect for co-working sessions and events:

1. Find a voice channel (e.g., #co-working-lounge) 2. Click to join 3. Mute yourself by default (click the microphone icon) 4. Unmute when you're ready to speak 5. Turn on video (optional) by clicking the camera icon 6. Share your screen using the screen share icon

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Step 9: Explore Campus Collab Bots

We use bots to enhance the experience:

• **Campus Bot** - Welcome messages and community stats
• **MEE6** - Leveling system (earn XP by being active!)
• **Carl-bot** - Reaction roles for interests (coming soon)

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Step 10: Stay Safe & Respectful

Discord is a safe space when we all contribute:

✅ Do: - Respect everyone - Share helpful resources - Support fellow members - Report inappropriate behavior to moderators

❌ Don't: - Spam messages - Share personal info publicly (use DMs) - Promote unrelated products/services - Post NSFW or offensive content

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I change my server nickname? 1. Right-click your name in the member list 2. Click **"Edit Server Profile"** 3. Enter your preferred nickname 4. Click **"Save"**

Can I use Discord on multiple devices? Yes! Discord syncs across desktop, mobile, and web.

How do I send a direct message (DM)? 1. Click someone's profile 2. Click **"Message"** 3. Type your message

I'm not seeing all channels. Why? Some channels are role-locked. As you participate, you'll unlock access to more areas!

How do I leave a server? Right-click the server icon → **"Leave Server"** (but please don't! 😄)

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Next Steps

Now that you're set up:

1. Introduce yourself in #introductions 2. Browse channels and see what interests you 3. Ask questions in #questions 4. Check #events for upcoming sessions 5. Join a co-working session to meet other members

Welcome to Campus Collab! We're excited to have you here. 🚀

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Have feedback on this guide? Let us know in #questions!