5 Tips for a Successful College Orientation
After you’ve applied, been accepted and paid your deposit, the next step on the list to prepare for fall is to attend orientation. More than just another campus tour, at a successful college orientation you will make new friends, register for classes and become acclimated to your campus community.
1. Start at home
It might sound strange, but the trick to a successful college orientation doesn’t start at college at all; it starts at home! Your university will provide a list of items to complete before orientation. Requirements might include submitting a health form, housing questionnaire, and financial payment plan, as well as activating your college email account or completing course placement tests. Review the orientation information packet to find out what your college requires.
Don't wait until the last moment to begin filling these out! Completing these in advance allows you to focus on the other information they provide you once you get there.
2. Bring a parent
You're going to receive a lot of information! Bringing a parent with you helps with remembering all the details and making sure you've completed the right forms to be on track to start in the fall.
Plus, there will be separate sessions for your parents. They will learn about FERPA (the student privacy act), billing, how best to support you in your transition to life in college, and meet your classmates’ parents.
3. Attend an early orientation
By attending an early orientation, you will have the first pick of classes and housing.
Many colleges have mandatory courses for all first-year students, but you will also have some choices into what classes you take in the fall. Classes can fill up fast, so you will want to register while there are still openings.
4. Connect with others
The most exciting part of orientation is getting to know your college, its traditions, history, cheers and your future classmates. Between meetings and while you are waiting for sessions to start, visit with the people around you. Participate in the “get-to-know-you” sessions, as you might just meet your future roommate! Connect with the people you meet on social media and stay connected to them all summer. You can build friendships before you even arrive on campus!
5. Plan Ahead financially
You’ll have the opportunity to finalize many details so that on your first day on campus as a student, you will be ready to hit the ground running. Meet with people from the business office to set up a payment plan for tuition, room and board. Stop at the bookstore to pick up textbooks or at least a new sweatshirt. Additional informational sessions will explain academic expectations, school policies, the honor code, and all the other necessary factors to living in community.
At Bluffton University...
Orientation consists of a summer orientation featuring class registration, student ID creation, and sessions designed to support students, as well as a fall welcome week where new students participate in activities and events designed to help them belong on campus. Learn more about orientation at Bluffton here.