College orientation.
The first real days of being a college student. Your to-do list? Getting acquainted with the school, finding friends, and making sure you know everything you need to know to have a successful start to your freshman year.
Most of us have never experienced anything like a college orientation, so it’s hard to know what to expect. Since I was totally nervous before my orientation, I read a bunch of blog posts and watched a bunch of videos. I felt like they prepared me well, but since every orientation is a little different, I thought I’d share some reflections and advice following the experience I just had at my own orientation.
College orientation is scary! It’s the first day in a new environment and an entirely new time in your life. However, the best thing you can do is just relax and take it all in. When you act like your true self, you’ll be starting to meet people with similar interests and similar personalities, who might end up being good friends down the line. You can’t do this is you aren’t being true to you!
Remember that you’re there for learning about your future school, so soak in as much information as you can about academics and don’t be afraid to ask questions! After all, this program is for you to learn and get accustomed to college life, so best to figure out now. Plus, if you have a question, its likely that others in the room have a similar question and are also scared to ask, so just ask!
Another thing to keep in mind is that you’ll want to dress comfy. You’ll probably be doing a lot of walking around, and a few activities, so dress appropriately! Especially if your campus is bigger, sneakers might be a better option than sandals. I’d also recommend wearing something that is cute (but also good for the occasion), since you may end up taking a lot of pictures.
If you’re going to an overnight orientation pack appropriately. While you’ll certainly need your basic essentials (anything that’s a part of your daily routine), don’t overpack! You’ll only be there for one night, and everything you bring you’ll also have to pack up and unpack when you get home.
Finally, don’t be afraid to “go for it” and make some memories! Everyone is going to be a little nervous, but remember that this is the start of your college career, and how exciting is that? College is all about trying new things and reaching outside of your comfort zone, and orientation is the best place to start. If you’re preparing for your college orientation, have lots of fun, and get ready to have the time of your life!
