First coming to college (especially to ONU) can be a really exciting time. You get to meet other new students, do fun and silly things, and learn more about campus. But what about your orientation leaders? You know, those upperclassmen who have already done everything you've done and now choose to do it again. As someone who has been on both sides, I feel that being an orientation leader has taught me to enjoy everything I thought was "too cool" to as a freshman.
As a freshman, I didn't participate much in orientation activities, and quite frankly I didn't want to. I thought all this silly stuff was way too lame for me, and I didn't need to do them because I was in band and had band friends. But now, as an orientation leader, I see the error of my ways. Although a lot of the stuff we do is silly and crazy, it really helps you get out of your comfort zone and meet people and have actual fun. Coming into training, I didn't know many of the OLs, but being in a group where we all decided to participate led me to come out of my shell and not be the party pooper. As an OL, I have randomly electric-slided, danced like a fool, and yelled and cheered constantly, and being positive and commiting to fun has really been what has made me feel so welcome at ONU, even if I'm doing the welcoming.
Also, now that I am an OL, I am able to tell people my passions and get them passionate about those things as well. Granted, I couldn't do this as a freshman because I was so new, but orientation gives me an excuse to tell people what kind of people go to ONU and the great stuff that I want to do in my adult life.
But I think the best thing about being an OL is the students. My goal in life is to impact others in a helpful and supportive way. Being able to be the person that new students can go to for advice or to learn stuff about campus is really great, and I love being that person. I love being an OL because I get to lead people and excite them. I get to give these new students the support they need going into college. I think that by being an OL, I not only learned more about myself, but more about how to talk to others and how to encourage.
No, I don't get paid with money, but I get paid by comforting my fellow students. The hours may be long and stressful, but knowing that I can get someone else to love ONU as much as I do makes it all worth it, and I would never take back this experience.
