When I was a freshman in college, I too had to attend orientation. I was never talkative during orientation, I never got out of my comfort zone, and I never understood how much work orientation leaders go through to make orientation so functional and almost flawlessly smooth. Over the course of two semesters, I made a lot of friends and relationships and finally became comfortable enough with my surroundings to decide I too, wanted to be an orientation leader. I filled out my application, interviewed with many people I knew and respected, and eventually became an authentic orientation leader at Nazareth College. And after a full week of orientation for the class of 2020, there is a lot to talk about.
First things first, as an orientation leader, I had to attend numerous educational sessions on topics ranging from how to manage the emotional distress of an incoming freshman/transfer student to the use of diversity and inclusion on campus. In total, I attended around thirteen of these educational sessions as well as two panels of students and faculty talking about similar subjects. These sessions were only during a span of three to four days mind you. The rest of the time we had was used to prepare for the new, incoming students and free-time was scarce. I had never considered how much work I was going to do until the Thursday when the new students moved in. At that point, my job only got harder.
I am not here to tell you how I felt about my group of freshmen, nor am I here to tell you any specifics about their experiences. What I am here to say is that being an orientation leader does in fact pay off. Moving new students into their dorms and meeting your group for the first time is a great feeling. Our group of orientation leaders was among the first people the new students met on campus. First impressions are important and it was prevalent as it has ever been. All I can say is that I tried my best in showing my freshmen that I can be a resource at any time and hopefully I allowed them to become more comfortable in the new college setting. Quick side-note, I did not do any icebreakers with my freshmen; my partner and I preferred to simply talk to them as people and to not alienate them with strange games
.Overall, being an orientation leader is exhausting. I saw a lot of people taking naps wherever and whenever all over the college. After being at college a week before everyone else was there and being such an important resource for all freshmen, not just the ones assigned to me and my partner, was truly inspiring. I loved being in charge of a small group of people while still allowing them to branch off and do their own thing. I loved answering questions to confused and lost souls that were obviously wandering around campus with no sense of direction. I loved connecting with a ton of people in a whole new scale that I have never felt.
