<p>Hi, D is our oldest child and is going to college in the fall. We are very excited. She has new student orientation scheduled for two days the end of June. What usually occurs at orientation besides classes being scheduled?
Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>It depends on the college. I’d call the school and ask – they probably have a schedule of events.</p>
<p>It does depend on the school but we had some parent sessions with the dean of students which were informative, and some question and answer sessions with current students. We also had a choice of several different presentations we could attend either alone or with our kids. I remember one hilarious one where current students did skits to introduce different activities on campus. And one of the final presentations done by the administration was pretty much telling us to let go of our students- not to be too involved but to let them grow. </p>
<p>While waiting in line to register during one of the days, D2 found a girl that seemed like a good roommate match so they asked to be assigned a room together. It worked out well and they’re still friends 4 years later. So that was a nice bonus to orientation. </p>
<p>All sorts of information can be presented. A chance to learn about the campus, perhaps see the dorm she will live in. Son’s public U (UW-Madison) has an excellent program for parents as well.</p>
<p>It’d be the most use checking in with your daughter’s school. Some universities provide an itinerary for orientation. It woouldn’t hurt to have your daughter ask her university’s official class FB page’s upperclassmen. </p>
<p>My D’s school does a two day orientation with a separate schedule for student and parents. They offer sessions about on campus living, academic department specifics, lunch and the students take placement tests for math. Kids stay on campus and have recreational activities after dinner. At the end of the second day, the students meet with their advisor and receive their schedule for the fall. </p>
<p>It really depends on the school and you may be able to find out more from the school’s website or the orientation registration confirmation e-mail. My D is at the orientation as of now. The school has a 2 and a half day orientation through out the summer includes financial session, placement exam, advisory meeting, class registration, meeting with the residential program, some clubs and student organization presentation, and many other student recreational activities. She really enjoyed the first day at the orientation yesterday and made quite a few new friends in addition to ~10 from her high school in the same session already. Most of the local students attend the early orientation sessions. The second day is more academic focus as she will have her first semester class registration and also have a program (engineering) specific session. My D actually choose not to stay in the dorm during the orientation to save some money. She is going to miss some great social opportunities besides just sleeping in the dorm. At least, she stayed till after 9pm last night and returned at 7:30am this morning. There are also a 2 day orientation for parents but I am not interested in it as we are in town and very familiar with the school already.</p>
<p>My advice is always “Take advantage of all the social functions at orientation…that is how you meet people”</p>
<p>I recently went to my school’s orientation and everything was rather simple.</p>
<p>Day 1
-Registration for students and guests
-Guests go to a separate area
-Awkward ice breaker games for students
-Official welcome from the school
-Touring campus and q&as from students
-Lunch (good for letting students mingle)
-Student IDs
-Explanations of important school opportunities (clubs, study abroad, internships, Greek life, etc.)
-Freebies
-Check out</p>
<p>Day 2
-Check in
-4 informational sessions (money management, scheduling courses, student health resources, school rules)
-Diversity event
-Check out</p>
<p>My group was mostly silent and since it’s a commuter school everyone mostly stuck to people from their high schools which made it slightly awkward for those not from the area. I also noticed that students who went with their parents didn’t mingle as much with everyone else. My only regret was not taking sun block and a bottle of water. All in all, I think those are the basics to most orientations.</p>
<p>Also, it was hilarious seeing parents, mine included, go crazy at the bookstore as they bought every school merchandise they could. </p>
<p>Both student and parents should take advantage of the incoming student orientation. I know many parents choose not to attend orientation with their children because they feel that they will inhibit their kids. However, if the university sets up the orientation for both children and parents, the experience is definitely informative and a lot of fun. </p>
<p>At BU, there is a 3 day orientation. The program is set up so that the students and parents are kept separate from the point of registration until they meet again for lunch on Friday at the end of the orientation. The first day is all about making new friends and having fun. Kids are broken down in small groups based upon their major and interests. They have ice-breakers, scavenger hunts through the city/school and to find out about what the school and Boston has to offer. At night the program offers a variety of activities for the kids to enjoy together. Day 2 is about getting acclimated to programs/services offered at school (Career Center, Office of Student Affairs, Health Services, Housing) and eliminating some of the concerns of incoming Freshmen through role playing as well as meeting with advisors and picking classes for the fall with a fun activity at night. Day 3 discusses money management, financial aid, finding jobs, paying bills and ends with a lunch as well as an explanation as what the process will be when they arrive in September.</p>
<p>The program for the parents mirrors the kids in that they are given the same information as the kids so that when your child calls for advice, you know what building/department/program to tell your daughter or son to call. The goal is to teach parents how to empower your child to be independent and take responsibility for his/her time at college. Parents also had social events scheduled throughout the 3 days and it was great fun to meet many other parents</p>