It's only a few days away from my favorite time of year: Turning Titan.
Three years ago, when I came to campus for check-in, I had no idea what to expect. I knew that this was orientation, and that I would be surrounded by my fellow first-years students almost constantly, sitting through seminars and learning about how to transition into campus life. I was dreading it. I told myself that I would be bored, and orientation was totally pointless. Thinking back on it, what I really was doing was trying to distance myself from orientation, as I was terrified that I wasn't going to make any friends.
Turning Titan ended up being way better than expected. I ended up wanting to go to the events planned, and learned that maybe I could see myself on this campus for the next four years. And, surprisingly, I formed some strong relationships with my peers and professors, many of which have evolved to some of the most impactful I've ever had.
This year, rather than moving onto campus early, and seeing the events from the outside-in, I am an orientation leader. I get a group of students to introduce to Wesleyan's campus, and show them all the ways to love this school.
So here it is: my advice to all of us participating in Turning Titan this year, first-years and returning students alike.
1. Actually go to what is planned.
Shocker, I know. But, the faculty who have planned this whole week have put in great time and effort into making a week that will be meaningful to all the students, faculty, and staff involved. Plus, between the breakout sessions, late-night events, convocations, meals, and meeting with advisors, a first-year student has the opportunity to see the many resources that campus provides: a place to have fun, to study, to reach out and receive help, to meet new people and build friendships based not only in common interests, but common values. So, even though the summer reading discussion may sound like a complete drag, at least you can spend more time getting to know your peers - the people who will (assumedly) be spending the rest of your collegiate career with.
2. Keep your door open.
Although you don't need to physically keep your door open (admittedly, that does make this whole piece of advice a lot easier), keeping your door open literally lets some pretty cool stuff walk right into your life. Whether it be a friendly face coming around to say hi, or maybe a person on your floor who you'd rather never see again, an open door shows that you're reaching out, that you're ready for new experiences and for new people. Who knows? You may just end up having a movie night sharing some laughs with some new people in your dorm you would have never met otherwise. And, try not to be show-offish, and remain reserved from first-year students. Trust me, you think you look cool, but you don't. What really looks cool is being friendly, walking up to other people and starting the conversation. That's, like, really cool.
3. Keep an open mind.
A lot easier said than done. Especially when in breakout sessions, discussing the tougher points of campus-life with your orientation groups, you'll probably hear a few opinions that you never heard before. Usually, that unfamiliarity turns into judging them harshly, and writing off a person entirely before getting to know them. Remember - our school is a place of learning. Not just about academics, but about living on your own, and learning how to appreciate another person's point of view, even if it doesn't match up with your own. And even if you vehemently disagree, you can still use the opportunity to learn how to handle those situations cordially and with tact, which turns out to be a more valuable skill in our world after college.
4. Show a little spirit.
Especially for returning students. Yeah, you may be a little miffed at the university for any number of reasons, and you may feel like a giant nerd for showing a level of school pride you would never show during the actual school year. But, when a first-year who is uneasy about their decision to attend IWU (cough cough, me) sees those upper-division students excited about Wesleyan, and wanting the first-years to have an amazing experience, well, school spirit really changes their mindset. Rather than them viewing their orientation as the beginning of a terrible mistake, they figure (Hey, if all these people are so excited about this, then maybe there's good reason to be excited, too." And that can make or break an entire college career. A little #TGOE goes a long way.
