It's that time of year again, graduation season! As all of these seniors say goodbye to their high schools, they begin to embark on the journey of college. The first stop on the college express is orientation. This is the point where you realize that its real. Yes, you're really a freshmen in college and time does fly by.
The purpose of orientation is to not only give the students a feel for what it's like actually going to school there, but it is also meant to give them connections with faculty, staff, and other students for their future college career. These connections will become important when they come back in the Fall, especially as a source of comfort. Having friends or knowing a couple people in a new and unfamiliar place always helps make the transition easier because you find that sense of comfort in knowing at least one or two faces.
Last year I had so much fun at orientation, that it encouraged me to apply to become a student orientation leader this year. This allows me to lead my own group around campus, and introduce them to the start of their college years. A lot goes into planning what seems like a small event, as well as extensive training. Us orientation leaders had to move in one week before the first actual orientation for a week full of twelve hour training. This included training on everything from how to check students in, to something very serious.
Although we have long days and can become overwhelmed, we also have to set aside time to bond with our staff. Without each other, and becoming this family, we wouldn't be as strong as we are. The kind of crazy team bonding we do not only allows us to make a fool of ourselves and get a laugh, but we are also able to let our guards down and show our true selves. These memories are priceless. Although we lack sleep the majority of the time, and we sometimes get cranky, we choose each other. We choose those sleepless nights and playing card games because we get to create something special, a family.
We put all this effort in and more because we want our incoming students to have the best possible experience they can. By showing them what it's like to start over and embrace who you are, we not only make them confident, but we also make them realize that life is what you make it. You get out of it what you put into it. Sometimes, things are not easy and you have to do a little digging, but it's all worth it in the end.
To those kids who ask, "Do I have to do this?" during a session, I just laugh to myself and think that without my own orientation I would not be the person I am today. It led me on a wonderful journey giving me some of the best friends I could ever ask for and more. To those kids I say, come out of your comfort zone, you would be surprised what it can do for you!
