College orientation absolutely sucks. Two grueling days of being around people you do not know, in a place you have only been a few times. Unfortunately, orientation is not an optional event, everyone has to go through it. Of course, there are people who love the orientation experience. They love making new friends and becoming “popular” before classes even start. Then, there are people like me, who find themselves checking their phones every fifteen seconds to see if one of their friends back home texted or tweeted them.
The first day of orientation is incredibly awkward and uncomfortable. Prior to even getting in groups and playing the “who am I” game, you have to find your way around campus. Everything looks the same, and no matter how many college visits and open houses you have attended, you will require a map to get around. You rush to find an open seat in the back of the room to avoid being called on by the speaker, and get anxious when you get stuck next to someone you have never met before.
Figuring out your schedule and registering for classes may be the most stressful session of orientation. Most people do not know what the hell they want to do, or how they will accomplish it. Academic advisors will assist you in choosing classes that are nothing like the ones you took in high school. Basically everything you hear and see, is gibberish. Deciding whether or not morning classes are for you or not, or whether you will have enough time to study, party, and sleep, all revolves around your schedule. It is a key to success for time management. In order to effectively create your schedule, you must know yourself and your habits. If you do this, it will be a walk in the park.
The games and activities are the best part of orientation, not because they are fun, but because you can win prizes. Free college merch, sign me up! Whether you play Super Walmart or your group gets in a circle, links arms, and steps through a hula-hoop, you will find that your orientation leader is always more excited and enthusiastic than everyone else.
After sitting through countless lectures from both professors and student representatives, you will find that you survived the longest day of your life… well almost. Aside from quietly sitting in the dining hall during meals, possibly by yourself, the most awkward part of orientation is sleeping in a dorm room with someone you met that same day. I was lucky enough to get a dorm to myself after my roommate and her bag disappeared. She was there in the morning, and never returned that night. I barely questioned the occurrence because I enjoyed having the room to myself, however it was still very strange. I really do not know what I would have done if she did come back, I guess I will never know.
To everyone who has already suffered through college orientation, congratulations, you made it! Now you can have fun with your friends all summer and not worry about a thing until move-in day. Then the awkwardness and nervousness will all come back. To anyone who has yet to attend college orientation, do not be discouraged if you have a bad experience. Spending one night at school, listening to twenty different people talk about twenty different things, does not represent how college will actually be in the fall.
Good luck, and if your orientation roommate disappears, enjoy a good night’s sleep.
