Orientation Questions!

Student Lounge College Life
1

I’m pretty sure I’m like any other freshman that is super nervous for college orientation day or anything related to college. I shouldn’t be as nervous but since i’m the first out of my family to go to college I don’t really have anyone to personally lean on, so I just have questions about orientation, for those who have experience.

1- Is it okay to just pack my pillow, my sheets and clothing into a duffle bag or small suitcase?

Because from the schedule outline that was online, students are checking into the residence halls they are staying overnight the minute they arrive on campus.

2- It’s not weird for parents to tag along, is it?

I know they will have a different schedule for parent orientation but i’ve recently been in an accident so i’m not recommended to drive too far out for the time being (my uni is 2 in a half hours away).

3- Do you get split into random groups or will they do it according to your major?

4- Do schools have booths open for clubs and organizations?

I don’t know if they do it during orientation or if it’s like the first week of uni.

These are all the ones that I have at the moment, thanks in advance!

2

These questions are all really specific and vary depending on which college you’re talking about. If you don’t specify, how are we supposed to know?

3

I’m attending WCU, NC.

4

Yes, you can choose either. I brought a suitcase and carried my pillow in blanket in hand. Generally, when you check in, you receive your room assignment and key, then you are able to drop off your things.

It is not weird. Parent are able to attend their own orientation. When you get on campus, I wouldn’t count on seeing them again until the end of orientation.

This would be a question to ask. My university said that groups would be placed in majors, but during orientation we found that it wasn’t really the case. It’s no big deal if you’re not with someone in your major.

This would be another question to ask. My university had booths of organizations and clubs during the day. If your university does not do this, do not be worried. There are plenty of chances to be exposed to the groups they have to offer. I’m sure the university website has a page for all of their clubs and organizations.

http://www.wcu.edu/admissions/new-student-orientation/first-year-orientation/index.asp

5

Speaking from my orientation experience:

  1. Either one would be acceptable.

  2. It’s not weird, and can actually be helpful if your parents accompany you for some parts of the event. However, you are usually encouraged to spend more time with your future peers than your family.

  3. At my orientation session we got split into multiple groups. On the first day, we were put into a random “ice-breaker” group just to get to know each other and become familiar with some of the basics. The second day, we were assigned into groups based on our major, where we got the chance to meet our academic advisers and professors and sign up for first semester courses.

  4. My school usually promotes most of its organizations on the first week of school, not during orientation, as many of the groups are run by current students. At orientation, we were informed about OrgSync (the main website portal for joining student organizations) and were encouraged to join and see what was available.