Orientation season is in full swing, and along with that comes confused incoming freshman, overprotective parents, and tired orientation leaders. As an orientation leader myself I get to see all the different incoming freshman, get to hear the questions they have, and talk down the parents who try to take over their orientation. If you are coming to a university this fall, pay attention to the next few things I'm going to say because here are five things you really need to know about freshman orientation.
1. It's okay to not know anyone
Don't freak out if you don't know anyone at your orientation, it's okay. It's okay even if you don't meet anyone at orientation, you will have plenty of time once school actually begins to meet a ton of people and make new friends. The day of orientation you'll be busy having a ton of information thrown at you, meeting with your advisors, and having your parents or guardians fuss over you to worry about meeting your best friend that day.
2. Let your parents fuss over you
Let your parents take the pictures they want and let them ask the "embarrassing" questions. They do this because they care and are super proud of you. Despite what you think, most parents aren't trying to embarrass you, they just want to know what you are going to be okay when the time comes in the fall when you are on your own.
3. Go to all of your meetings
I cannot stress how important this is. I know that it seems like the day is jam packed with so many meetings, but all of them are so important. I can't believe the number of students I'll see when I'm on a break at Starbucks who aren't in the meetings I know they should be in. If you have a meeting with your college, go to it. If you have a meeting with a writing advisor, go to it. If you have a meeting with your advisor, go to it. Orientation is designed solely to help you as a student have the most knowledge coming into college as possible. Meetings would not be scheduled throughout the day if they weren't important for you to go to!
4. Don't be afraid to ask for help
Never be afraid to ask someone about any questions you have. Especially the orientation leaders, we are all current students and it's what we're there for, we wouldn't be there if we didn't want to help you out! Don't be afraid to ask about the best way to get to a building, about different classes, or even just about what it's like to be a student on campus!
5. Be proud of your school!
Get pumped because this is the place you're going to be spending the next years of your life. You'll meet new friends, experience new things, and learn more than you can imagine. College can be some of the greatest years of your life, so get excited, and be proud of your new school!
