Being a freshman again can be scary. Going from the top of the high school food chain to being the new kid again is a big adjustment. When I first stepped on my campus as a freshman I was terrified. I had no idea where I was going, or who I had to talk to in order to get my ID card. Turns out, physically moving in was only half of the battle, we still had orientation. I knew it was coming, but I had no idea what to expect. There are a lot of interesting kinds of people at freshman orientation, here are some that I encountered;
1. The Orientation Counselor (O.C.)
One of the first people you encounter at orientation is, of course, your orientation counselor! My O.C. was super nice and outgoing and really tried to make everyone feel comfortable. Most O.C.'s are extremely outgoing and will do their best to acclimate you to college life.
2. The Introvert
There are always people who are just naturally shy, especially in the craziness of orientation. While trying to include them in conversation is always a good idea, don't try to force them outside of their comfort zones. Not everyone is great at meeting new people, let alone an entire freshman class.
3. The Extrovert
The opposite of the introvert, the extrovert thrives on being surrounded my new and exciting people. They want to be friends with everyone and are more than willing to strike up a conversation with just about anyone.
4. The "What's going on?"
There will always be one or two people who never seem to know what's going on during orientation. Maybe they can never find their way around campus, or they just don't care enough to listen to all of the explanatory presentations.
5. The Homesick One
It is completely normal to be homesick. One faculty member at my orientation even went as far as to say "You've probably been living in more or less the same place for eighteen years. If you didn't miss it, I'd think you were weird". Some people simply adjust faster than others.
6. The "I've never left my town before"
How someone can never travel more that fifty miles away from home in eithteen years is beyond me, but there are always a few people. Whether they are commuters, or this happens to be their first night not spent at home, help them adjust. New places are scary for everyone, especially when going away for the first time.
7. The Awkward One
Not everyone is great at making new friends. Some people, no matter how extroverted they are, struggle with making friends. Maybe they aren't great at starting or maintaining a conversation, or they just don't fit in with your orientation group. Either way, make them feel welcome.
8. The Athlete
Especially with Division I schools, most fall athletes spend the majority of their summers at school. With nothing to do but train and play, they find time to really get settled and form friendships. Unfortunately, when it's time for orientation, this can create a mindset of "I already know everything".
9. The One Who Always Vanishes
In my group, there were at least two students who always disappeared. My O.C. was constantly calling them and trying to figure out where they had gone. While this was somewhat entertaining, it probably wasn't their best idea. Staying with your group allows you to get to all of the scheduled events and ensures you don't miss anything important.
10. The Stereotype
Whether it's the future sorority girl, the flirt, the "too cool for school" guy, the gamer, the nerd, or just your average student, you will most likely be able to fit everyone into some sort of category.
However...
I challenge you to not. Don't let your first impression of someone be the deciding factor in determining if you want to be friends. Get to know people, then focus on the people you're most compatible with. If you give everyone an equal chance, you'll be surprised at the friendships you will form.
