<p>Could someone who has been through a Freshman orientation tell me what the 2 days consist of for both student and parents? Thanks</p>
<p>Well, there are various activities. In the beginning of it you will be watching presentations about the university. Then you break up in small groups of, eh, 20ish people and discuss Mason and get to know fellow classmates. You get to eat at South Side. If you opt to stay the night (or just stay late) they had a movie playing by a projector, karaoke, sports, food, etc. in Presidents Park – good time to meet other people. Then at the very end you will meet an advisor in order to schedule classes. You won’t be with parents much of the days, though occasionally you will meet up throughout the two days.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info bigwig and what do the parents do for the 2 days? I didn’t realize the students register for classes at this time too.</p>
<p>If I was at school I could dig out the orientation book and list the programme from last year, which I can do tomorrow evening. My mom says it was much better and more welcoming than brothers orientation at another university. Anyway, parents watch presentations, go to their kids advisor for Q&A sessions, eat at SouthSide, etc.</p>
<p>I figure incoming freshman and/or parents are curious about the schedule, so this is what it was last year. (* indicate when students were with parents) too much time on my hands</p>
<p>Students:</p>
<p>Day 1
*8:00am - Pay for overnight stay if student opts to do so. Venues are located in the Center for the Arts with information about various student activities</p>
<p>*10:00am - Welcome in Center for Arts Auditorium followed by Patriot leader welcome</p>
<p>10:30am - meet with Patriot leader and break into small groups. This is where students get to ask questions, get to know other people, etc.</p>
<p>11:30am - Lunch at Southside</p>
<p>12:45pm - Presentation on why go to college. (in my opinion this was probably the most boring part… if I remember correctly)</p>
<p>1:15pm - Go to your academic advisor. They will provide you with information and answer your questions.</p>
<p>*2:00pm - Go to two of four seminars about either 1) Student Involvement 2) Leadership development 3) Recreation Facilities 4) Student Athletics</p>
<p>*2:45pm - Skits by Patriot Leaders (these were actually pretty good)</p>
<p>4:00pm - Small group meeting 2</p>
<p>*5:00pm - Presentation on dining followed by presentations on making mason “your home”</p>
<p>*6:00pm - 7:30 - Family Dinner outside clock tower. (at this time students can take the math placement test as well)</p>
<p>7:30 - “Park After Dark” - athletic games, karaoke, free food, movie, etc.</p>
<p>Day 2
*8:30am - Breakfast in Center for the Arts (Not that great)</p>
<p>*9:30am - “GMU WHAT?” Presentation on Fight song and etc.</p>
<p>10:00am - Small group 3</p>
<p>11:00am - Seminar on either 1) career services 2) veterans affairs 3) ROTC 4) Global education 5) teacher education</p>
<p>11:45am - Some presentation in Center for the arts</p>
<p>12:30pm - Academic advising</p>
<p>1:00pm - 4:00pm - Course Registration</p>
<p>After that you are pretty mich free to go (actually get your Mason ID first). They had free lunch at a Bistro from 1pm to 4pm, the math placement test could be taken, and between 2:00 and 4:00 you could get your Mason ID, student account and etc. There were optional tours at 3:00pm.</p>
<p>Family and Parents:</p>
<p>Day 1
*8:00am - Pay for overnight stay if student opts to do so. Venues are located in the Center for the Arts with information about various student activities</p>
<p>*10:00am - Welcome in Center for Arts Auditorium followed by Patriot leader welcome</p>
<p>10:30am - Parents stay in auditorium as students leave. Overview of opportunities your child will have at Mason.</p>
<p>11:30am - More sitting in the auditorium about general education.</p>
<p>12:00pm - Go to your child’s academic advisor. They will answer your questions and etc.</p>
<p>12:45pm - Lunch at Johnson Center</p>
<p>*2:00pm - Go to two of four seminars about either 1) Student Involvement 2) Leadership development 3) Recreation Facilities 4) Student Athletics</p>
<p>*2:45pm - Skits by Patriot Leaders (these were actually pretty good)</p>
<p>4:00pm - Q&A session in Dewberry Hall</p>
<p>*5:00pm - Presentation on dining followed by presentations on making mason “your home”</p>
<p>*6:00pm - Family Dinner outside clock tower. </p>
<p>Day 2
*8:30am - Breakfast in Center for the Arts (Not that great)</p>
<p>*9:30am - “GMU WHAT?” Presentation on Fight song and etc.</p>
<p>10:00am - Something in Dewberry Hall about sending your child off to college. I believe this is the time they let parents do arts and crafts with pipe cleaners about what you think of your child or something, haha.</p>
<p>12:00pm - Eat at Southside</p>
<p>1:30pm - Session about preparing you for kids transition.</p>
<p>The end.</p>
<p>Now you have to wait for kid to finish waiting in line to register for classes and waiting in line to get his/her ID. They did have something going on in the JC after this. I don’t know what. May want to bring a book or something in case you do have to wait.</p>
<p>Oh and yes, since advising does occur during orientation I suggest going to the earliest one possible.</p>