Orientation Questions for all Incoming Freshmen

<p>Hey, I'm a rising sophomore at Cornell. I know Orientation packets were mailed out. If you have any questions about what orientation is like feel free to ask me and me (or prob some other student) will gladly answer. </p>

<p>I am also doing this thread because orientation will be affecting me as well since I'll be coming back early and will be on the freshman campus. I figured the questions I need answered will be done by you all. </p>

<p>Orientation is soo confusing and the bunches of RAs and OLs trying to make this comfortable for you will not help. The first day you will either feel like crying, sleeping, screaming, running back home(even if ur from CA), maybe happy 'cause you have some friends already there, or for others who have yet to learn to deal with stress, you'll feel like finding a party and getting smashed. So if you have your package or even if you haven't received it yet, let me help you clear up the confusion. </p>

<p>Oh and parents feel free to ask any questions, and don't worry I won't mislead your children I am a trained host and Orientation Leader if that helps ;) lol</p>

<p>how required are the "required" activities?</p>

<p>well it depends. For your college, go, because you usually have to sign up for something or get some papers. OL meetings are annoying after the second time, but make an effort. If the effort is too straining, forget about it. Sometimes OL meeting conflict with other things. </p>

<p>But specifically what required activities are you talking about?</p>

<p>if you have no clue about how things work at cornell (i.e. never visited before, dont know anyone at cornell) i would strongly recommend to attend the activities that are required...but dont sweat them that much, i mean i didnt even attend my meeting with my student advisor (but that's cus i was in ilr)...</p>

<p>just play it by ear...and you should be fine...</p>

<p>I would definitely recommend going to at least the first OL meeting, especially if you don't know many people yet. Not only will you find out info from your OL, but you will meet the other freshmen in your orientation group, so that can't hurt. </p>

<p>I was an OL last year and basically everyone in my group showed up to every meeting- we all really enjoyed it. My freshman year, basically my OL only showed up to 1-2 meetings so, in that case going was useless. But at least give it a try.</p>

<p>Other than that and any important academic meetings, do whatever you want.</p>

<p>are there a lot of parties during orientation week? i really want to go out during orientation, but am afraid that i wont have anyone to go out with!! :(
what was your orientation like (anyone)?</p>

<p>there are a lot of collegetown parties, and cornell events. for either one, if your roommate is cool go with them, or your neighbors in your dorm, or people you meet during the day. </p>

<p>just meet as many people as possible lol and try not to be stressed.</p>

<p>basically just go to all the things that are mandated by your particular school and your OL meetings (a lot of OL leaders are in fraternities/sororites and will invite you over to their house or place in collegetown and tell you about the parties going on for the week.) Also, just go to any event that interests.</p>

<p>umm i barely went to anything lol, but i was a transfer. that book thing i don't think is required because its not for a class so it's not like they can fail you for anything. </p>

<p>yeah you will see hoards of freshman coming from north campus into collegetown for parties so don't feel weird about going. you should go to your first couple of OL meetings because then you can meet more people. remember everyone is in the same boat.</p>