College orientation is something almost every student looks forward to and if not, they still have to go. Orientation is the key to staying alive the first day of school. During orientation, you get a glimpse of what your life is about to look like for the next four or more years. You get to pick your classes, tour campus, and learn tips and tricks to help you through the journey. Orientation is a need for every student, my orientation was a roller-coaster, but helpful, and I’ll tell you why.

My orientation was very nerve-racking, but fun. Orientation for me was split into two separate days. The first day was like going up the hill of a roller-coaster, soon to be zooming down out of nowhere. During the first day, bright and early, my family and I were speeding to the University to make it to orientation on time. We were in panic mode around campus trying to find the building we were supposed to check into. After we checked in I was able to take my ID photo, and just like everyone else, I was unsatisfied with the outcome. We were then guided to a massive room with over 300 chairs, leaving us to find a few. After listening to people talk about things that I still don't understand the large room of excited, nervous, and soon-to-be students were separated into small groups. The small groups were made up of random freshmen into groups of about 20.

The small groups were a saving grace for me. The small groups gave us students a chance to relax and take a step back from all of the college stress. The group gave us a place to joke around and enjoy our time. We introduced ourselves so we would have familiar faces to look forward to when we arrived for school and we played games to get to know each other. The small groups gave us a chance to breathe, and it was well needed each time we got together.

After the first small group, we took a tour of campus and scheduled classes, which was the most stressful part. Just when you think you can wake up at noon to start your day, you find out your classes won't line up in your favor. The dream of waking up at noon has now turned into 9 a.m. Although you have to get up early, the excitement of college overcomes the dread of waking up before the afternoon.

Once we figured out our classes, we went to a huge building with clubs and a checklist of things to do. Within the checklist, the items consisted of getting a parking pass, putting money on the university's card, and getting your I.D. card for college. Suddenly, the top of the hill was in sight and soon after the roller coaster came flying down, and the stress overcame some students - myself included. With the checklist slowly getting checked off, and club after club asking for us to join, the coaster flew down the track at record speed.

Luckily, after the fast and sudden downfall, the small groups met back up. The small group gave us a chance to ask all the questions we couldn't before. We were able to get an idea of where our classes were and how to get there. The group also gave us a chance to see who were in classes together, which was very nice. Finally, the first day was over.

The second day was a breeze compared to the first. The day was only a half day which was already a refreshing thought. We began the day in the small groups, giving us our final chance to ask any questions, and to participate in a final fun activity all together. Most of us asked what our twitter handles were, exchanged phone numbers to stay in touch, and we all worked together on the activity. From there we were guided into the massive library to log into our university accounts and to get to know how to navigate them. The next thing I knew we were taken to our families and heading back home.

Orientation flew by, but the stress came home with me and it felt like it would never go away. The advice they gave all of us was the best piece of advice I think we could've gotten throughout the entire debacle. The administrators suggested that we look over everything, then put it away. We should write down our questions and then, a week or two before moving in, find the answers and take care of all of the issues. The stress soon went away knowing I had time later to stress out. The stress can wait, because everyone has a summer to enjoy, school will come soon enough.