Just when your mailbox thought it could take a breather from all those college brochures and viewbooks, another barrage of envelopes is beginning. These days, however, the mail is probably all coming from one school—the one you’ll be attending this fall! Your chosen college is preparing you for a smooth transition to campus this fall. Keep your eye out for information on "orientation", which is a period (usually before the start of the official academic year) when freshmen and transfer students spend some time on campus before classes begin in order to get acclimated to their new homes.
Sure, you might have ruled the school as part of the Class of 2009, but come fall, you’ll be a lowly freshman again. Whether you are going to a small college that fits on a city block or a large one that could house your high school in its sports complex, you’ll need some guidance learning the ropes. Enter Orientation, a highly orchestrated day or days of events that help newbies, like yourself, get acquainted with what will be your home-away-from-home for the next four years.
Think of Orientation as a GPS device that will take you through your first days and weeks at college. Orientation is so much more than showing you around on campus—that’s what maps are for, after all. Instead, administrators and upperclassmen are there to help you understand the ins and outs of campus life and get you acquainted with the usual (like the best time to hit the cafeteria) and the unusual (like what to do if you get the flu).
From silly icebreakers that encourage you to get to know your classmates to more serious discussions about how to stay safe on campus, Orientation is both fun and informative—which is exactly the point. Colleges and universities want their students to be happy and well-informed, which is why schools usually pull out all the stops to welcome new students. In fact, some schools, like the University of Kansas, view Orientation so seriously that they have taken it from a single event to an ongoing process, providing a knowledgeable staff that is available to freshmen and transfer students during their entire first year on campus.
College is a four-year-long investment, which is why it’s wise to spend a few extra days getting to know your new campus. For many students, Orientation is a great way to relieve some of the anxiety they might feel about leaving home in the fall because it takes away some of the mystery about campus life. Got questions about college? You’ll find the answers during Orientation, along with new friends and the beginning of a whole new chapter of your life.