Beginning your freshman year at college is a huge part of your life! You’re probably moving out and living away from home for the first time ever and starting school in a place and with people you are unfamiliar with. Because of this, freshman year of college can also be a very daunting part of your life. But don’t worry – college admissions knows this, and New Student Programs are here to make your transition to college as seamless as possible! One thing that virtually every new student goes through is orientation. Orientation is a great opportunity to familiarize yourself with the school, the campus, and the people! Here are my tips on how to have the best college orientation possible!
Come with an Open Mind
College is a time to meet new people and try new things. Oftentimes, you will be pushed out of your comfort zone (in a good way!) and will have to put yourself out there! Orientation is the best opportunity to start doing this – you can talk to new people, do new activities, and involve yourself in new clubs. However, if you come to orientation with the intention of sticking to everything you know and love, you won’t have as good or as fun of a time. Orientation is all about exploring new options at a new school with new people, so you have to come with an open mind if you want to make the most out of it! If you are open minded about college and starting this new journey in your life, you will most likely meet new people that you might never hve hung out with otherwise, join clubs that were never offered at you high school, and challenge yourself in ways you never thought you could!
Don’t Be Afraid to Embarrass Yourself
Icebreakers are a must for orientation. As cheesy as they are, they’re a great way to get to know your orientation group and – you guessed it – break the ice! However, these icebreakers can be kind of awkward and embarrassing if you make them that way. You’ll probably be asked to share some fun facts about yourself or say something silly, so take these opportunities to showcase your personality! If you spend the entirety of orientation thinking these icebreakers and games are “uncool,” you’re only going to have a bad time. So, don’t be afraid to be silly and childish and engage in these activities! No one is going to think less of you for committing to these activities – you are simply making the most of your college experience!
Make Connections
Orientation is the perfect time to make friends. I have found that orientation groups are usually made up of a diverse selection of people, so you are bound to find someone you like and want to get to know better! Some of my closest friends now are people from my orientation group, so trust me when I say that these are connections that will last your entire college career! Even if no one in your group is exactly like you, don’t be afraid to branch out and talk to someone that you generally wouldn’t have talked to in high school. College is all about meeting people unlike yourself, so take advantage of that and broaden your horizons! Don’t sulk in the back because no one in your group is like your best friend from home. Make the most of the opportunities you have been given and use orientation as a time to find your people.
I hope these tips help you have the best orientation possible as you begin your college career! College is a difficult time for every new student, so don’t be frustrated if you’re having trouble stepping outside of your comfort zone. Every freshman goes through this state of anxiety when thinking about going to a new school and meeting new people, so just remember that this is normal. Orientation is curated to give you the best transition to college as possible, so take advantage of the opportunities you are given, and you’re bound to have a great freshman year (and the other years that follow)!