<p>I'm scheduled to have orientation tomorrow and Friday (two of the hottest days of the year so far! Hooray!) and I was wondering if it was absolutely mandatory for freshmen to stay overnight in the dorms. I live less than an hour from College Park, and I think it's unnecessary to spend the night when I can just as easily go home and come back the next morning (I understand that many people live too far away to go home, so obviously it's not unnecessary for them). I have a friend who had orientation a few weeks ago, and he said the whole thing was run by college kids who couldn't have cared less if people left. Is this for certain? </p>
<p>Also, what time does day 2 start, so I know what time to be there the following morning? Thanks!</p>
<p>I went to orientation earlier this month. My impression of the orientation was that it was very fun. I could do without the overly optimistic and peppy supervisors. But it is their job and they cannot act like how they would normally be. You will play some awkward games that makes everyone slightly uncomfortable, but everyone is willing to talk to you. I met some really interesting people during these two days. You can, in a sense, not stay overnight, but be aware that you probably paid for that room even if you don’t use it. The supervisors are seniors and juniors who are trained to have a lot of information and happy to talk to you, very friendly. On Day 2, they wake people up at 6:45 am (that was hard to get up lol) and the new schedule starts at 7:45 so get their around 7:20 and walk to the dorm building and wait there for your supervisor (that’s what I did lol). They actually do care if you leave the group because they check the name and usually do not leave until they know where you are. This is because for those two days, the seniors cannot lose you, or it would end badly for them. It kind of felt like babysitting but I get where they are coming from. So long story short, you do not have to stay in the dorm, you can go home. On your first day the first thing you will do is drop off your luggage. Just accept, or decline, the room and tell them you will not be using it, you won’t have complications. Hope this long paragraph helps you for tomorrow! Have fun!!</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the tips! It all went great.</p>
<p>You should plan to stay for all the evening activities, though, which get over around 10:00 or so. Driving home then and then back to campus by 7:20 a.m. the next day? Your call.</p>