Orientation is much more than getting acquainted with a school. It's much more than learning where the food is, when to go to the gym, and how to find your classes. Orientation is a time to rediscover yourself. It's a time where friendship is born, where laughter lives, and where fear dies. Those first few days living on campus will build the foundation for years to follow. The first-years have this opportunity to start with a strong foundation. With the right guidance and understanding, students have the potential to fall in love with college right from the start.
As a sophomore and a peer mentor, I have had the opportunity to view orientation with two different lenses. I have bonded with other first-years during my orientation, and I learned more about myself. I opened up more than I ever thought I could as a first-year to people I had just met. Sharing deeper parts of my life helped me feel connected right from the start. Some parts of orientation were difficult, and I was discouraged at first. I thought orientation was for more outgoing individuals, which I later dismissed as false. Everyone has their own unique experience at orientation. Even though I was not best friends with anyone in my orientation group, I made a strong connection with my peer mentor who encouraged me to apply for a position. I was able to learn so much about the school, and the information I gained made me feel comfortable to start school in the fall. The thought of Stonehill being my new home filled me with excitement.
As a peer mentor, I had the pleasure of fostering an inclusive environment that I thrived in as a first-year. I was able to witness the first-years grow and open up about their lives. I felt completely invested in their love for Stonehill, and I wanted to do everything in my power to make them feel at home. I was inspired by the change in the first-years over the summer. They were so willing to contribute to discussions and activities when they returned in the fall. I reminisced about my fall orientation when I already felt like I was somewhere I belonged. When my partner and I facilitated activities, the two groups from the summer were eager to learn about each other and ready to start their college careers. It was truly an indescribable feeling. Everything just felt right in that moment.
I feel that without orientation, students are thrown into a completely new and strange environment. If students are not welcomed into a loving atmosphere, they will feel excluded. Without sharing parts of their lives, they will be deprived of new friends. Orientation welcomes students into an inclusive Stonehill community, which should always be the highest priority.
