Attending your college orientation is something really exciting -- it's a step into the future and it's an important part of getting started at your university. Mine was just like that, and I decided it would be fun to share some of my feedback and thoughts on how orientation went for me so that I could help someone else out along the way.

I'm attending San Diego State in the fall and just had my orientation a few weeks ago. I attended alone, without my parents.

The first thing I want to share is that attending alone has its pros and cons. The great part is finding your independence and being able to find some form of being comfortable with being alone, making a plan on your own, and taking care of yourself. However, I look back and would have loved having a parent there, simply because you get a lot of information, it's a long day, and the orientation was somewhat parent-orientated; for example, at lunch, after the parents had their session and we had ours, students went back and ate with their families.

The second thing to know is that while every orientation is different, it isn't like a big welcome fest. You arrive and for me, you sit in lectures for a while, many hours in fact. You learn about classes, your major, graduation requirements, sexual harassment, and campus policies. You get some lunch, go to some more informational meetings, and then you register for your courses. Expect information, expect productivity, but don't expect a preview of college life entirely.

That brings me to my next point- orientation is overwhelming. Maybe it was just me, but all of the information they throw at you is a lot to take in. It's all highly important and critical to your success, but all of the realities of what I was about to embark on- four years on my own as a college student- hit me like a truck at orientation. If this happens to you too, and you're feeling lost or panicked, the best thing is to remember that you wouldn't be standing at your orientation if you weren't ready. The school let you in for a reason- you're ready and can handle it all.

Moving forward, because you can handle it, remember to take charge of what's going on. By that I mean to take notes, ask questions, and get the information you need. On top of that, if you're able to learn about student organizations, get involved. What I started telling myself was that if I didn't ask the question I needed the answer to, no one was going to come figure it out for me. Or if I didn't put my name down at the Associated Student booth, no one was going to do it for me. Regardless of if you attend orientation alone or with family, it's your job to take charge of the situation.

And that brings me to my final point -- I did take charge and although it was scary, it felt really good. Orientation forced me to grow up a little, I think. I had to manage my time on breaks, get my ID card on my own, and handle it all on my own. I thank myself now for signing up for Green Fest and filling out an Associated Students interest form, and for talking to leadership program representatives. I made it to an optional dorm tour, checked out the library, communicated my questions, and really began familiarizing myself with what would be my home for the next four years. It was terrifying and exciting.

What I'm getting to is this- orientation is a lot different from what I expected it to be. But the reality is this- it taught me to be prepared and to take charge of my life as I move into these next four years. Enjoy your orientation and use it to your full advantage, because that will play a role in the course of your college experience.