For many high school students (at least in the Dallas Area) this past week was filled with many exams and graduation ceremonies, and now many of those students have begun a 2.5 month wait until their first day of college. As an Orientation Leader at my University, throughout the summer I help facilitate Freshman Orientations, welcoming new students to campus and helping them schedule classes. This will be my second year as an Orientation Leader and I've compiled a list of tips and advice for incoming students at Orientation.
1. Meet People!
When I was a freshman, meeting other students at orientation really wasn't high up on my to-do list. I was there to get information about the school and register for my classes. It didn't help that a lot of students from my High School were also attending this University because I felt that I didn't need to meet people. At orientations, you will have opportunities to meet new people who share the same interests as you, and who may be taking the same classes as you. Speaking from personal experience, it's also a good idea to meet people for the simple reason that you won't have to eat lunch by yourself. Trust me, you don't want to do it. It can be kinda awkward and embarrassing to talk to strangers, but its nothing compared to the awkwardness and embarrassment of eating lunch all by yourself.
2. Actually Listen to the Presentations
I guarantee you we don't just come up with these speeches and presentations to bore you or kill time. You can learn all sorts of information by actually paying attention to the speakers. And if you can't pay attention, still be respectful by not sleeping or texting because people put a lot of hard work into this.
3. Browse clubs and organizations
Many schools will have organization fairs during orientation where club members will come out and share information about their organization at a booth. There may be a ridiculous number of groups, so don't get overwhelmed. Some schools may have a list of all of the organizations or an organization fair map, so you can quickly look up clubs that interest you. A word of caution as well: don't sign up for too many clubs because when classes actually start up you'll probably be busy and not actually have an abundance of free time to spend in clubs. I recommend joining at least 2 clubs (1 academic-based club and 1 interest-based), but definitely no more than 4 or 5. When looking around, also take into consideration how often groups meet. Some clubs meet once a week, while others meet only monthly or bi-monthly, and the meetings may only be 30 minutes long, or they could last 3-4 hours. This may not matter much to you as a Freshman, but later on, if you want to take a leadership role in the organization, they may have additional meetings that you have to attend. Just try to be realistic, and if you find that you do over commit your time Freshman year, don't be afraid or ashamed to quit a club or two, everyone will understand and you'll likely feel a lot better.
4. Learn how to Schedule Classes yourself
One of the most frustrating things that I experienced last year as an Orientation Leader was when family members would come in with their students and try to tell them what classes to take and when they should take it. I'm not saying all family members were like that, but there were definitely enough of them like that to make me a little wary whenever a bunch of family members came into advising with their students. Many family members were great though, very hands off, and only making a few suggestions here and there. What many family members didn't seem to realize is that their students will have to do this by themselves for the next semester and the following 6 semesters (assuming a standard 4-year graduation track). I also understand the family members' concerns. They're worried about their student getting a "worse" professor, or getting stuck with Saturday classes, or not being about to graduate soon enough, or not being able to get into a graduate school or health professions school. As hard as it is to let them take control, you have to trust in your student and his or her adviser, because the adviser will do his or her best to keep your student on track.
5. Take Orientation as a opportunity to familiarize yourself with campus.
Although you might not have your whole class schedule or know where your classes are yet, orientation is a fantastic opportunity to take in as much of campus as you can. Go check out the Student Union, the Library, the Gym, and any other unique places on campus. This is where you'll be spending a lot of the next 4 years of your life (again, assuming a 4-year track) so why not get to know it? You can also use this as a chance to meet current students and ask about their favorite places on campus and if they know any of the school's "best kept secrets."
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