<p>I was pretty nervous about my freshman year, so I signed up for STEP as soon as I read about the program. It said that STEP would do an alternative orientation for the ones who are in it. so my question are:</p>
<li><p>Does anyone participated in STEP before, and does it help you (making friends, managing your classes better, etc)</p></li>
<li><p>What’s the orientation like? </p></li>
<li><p>If I get in, would STEP do a very similar orientation just like the regular ones?</p></li>
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<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I did STEP back in '07…
- It does help you familiarize yourself with the campus. You get 3 meals a day for a month AND free bowling once a day. It didn’t help me make friends. I didn’t really fit in, but I already met friends off Facebook (plus the 30 or so high school students that enrolled into Davis that year). Even if you don’t make friends that you hang out with in STEP, it’s still pretty cool.</p>
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<li><p>Orientation is just like what you would experience if you went to the regular orientation. You register for class in the middle of STEP. You pretty much will get the bottom of the barrel for classes because your pass times will automatically adjust to whenever STEP is (STEP is usually after everyone has had their pass times)</p></li>
<li><p>Yep</p></li>
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<p>One HUGE benefit is that you get 4 or 5 quarters of priority registration. That alone makes it worth attending STEP. I didn’t really enjoy STEP much. The classes were SO easy because they were geared towards bringing your mindset into a college level. I didn’t make any friends that I hang out with today. You’ll make a TON of acquaintances at the very least. Plus, the weather is so hot that it’s miserable being outside. You get to live in Segundo North for the month that you’ll be in STEP.</p>
<p>If you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to ask! 
I’ll be working in the dorms next fall so I may meet you all (if you ever encounter computer problems) =P</p>