You graduated from high school and you are officially a college student, well for the most part. Right now, you’re in that in-between spot where you’re done with high school, but you haven’t started your college classes. What’s next is orientation.
Orientations begin as early as this week and trust me, when you go you will be overloaded with information. You will be ushered from building to building, talk to talk and session to session. If you walk away and aren’t in a daze, you didn’t do it right. Just kidding. It is easy to get caught up in the event that is orientation. But before you go, let me give you a few pointers.
· Complete all your paperwork/forms before you arrive (and take with you any forms that are to be submitted there)
· Confirm your final high school transcripts are being sent to the school where you plan to enroll
· Confirm AP scores, if applicable, are sent to your college/university
Orientation is usually the place where you will make your schedule for the fall. Depending on when you attend orientation, you may or may not have a plethora of options. Many of your courses will be dictate by either your class standing or major (i.e. freshman get what they get), but there are options for electives. Going through the course catalog for a variety of electives is your best bet. I suggest find 3-5 courses that you want to take in the event your first choices are already taken.
In many situations, your options will change at the beginning of the fall semester. You want to make sure you are prepared for an survive orientation. These are just a few tips for making the most of your freshman orientation. Last one, take a notepad and pen. You will most likely be provided an orientation packet, but having a plate to take notes is helpful.
I hope you’re still excited about orientation because it can be awesome. You will have a chance to walk the campus of your choice. You will meet new people and have new experiences. There will be social events in addition to all the academic activities that are scheduled during your visit. While you probably won’t remember most of what is shared that weekend, you will remember the experience you have. Make it the best experience it can possibly be.