some tips when you go to orientation

Colleges and Universities A-Z Florida State University
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<p>don't worry too much about who you will have to room with. you're only going to be there two nights. chances are, you aren't going to run into many, if any, problems with him or her. my roommate was also an honors student, and we had a lot in common, so we had a lot to talk about.</p>

<p>bring earplugs if you need silence to fall asleep. my roommate kind of snored and people were being really loud in the hallway. they were opening and slamming shut other peoples' doors. also, you can hear the shower run or the toilet flush. and the mattresses are not exactly the definition of comfortable. so be prepared to not get much sleep at all.</p>

<p>the orientation leaders give you stuff to do after the last sessions of each day, but i recommend you just go back to your room and try to sleep. haha</p>

<p>i guess you wouldn't have to worry about that as much if you're going to have your parents drive you back home, but my parents couldn't attend, so i had to drive by myself, and it's not a good idea to drive in heavy rain for 5+ hours when you're running on little sleep. i almost got in a car accident on two separate occasions. it was very scary.</p>

<p>don't be afraid to strike up conversations with people in your group or on your floor or just random people as you are walking from place to place. it's really not that hard. and a lot of times, you will have people approach you. i met a lot of people, just not many i would befriend. but it was still fun learning about where other students came from, what they plan to major in, etc.</p>

<p>try to get ahead of everyone else when you're going to the dining halls or getting your FSUcard and Suntrust account or when you're going to sign up for classes. the lines can get long.</p>

<p>never forget to carry your holopaw with you (schedule of events). i left it at wildwood on the second day of orientation (along with my CIRP survey), so i had to constantly ask my orientation leader or other students what to do or where to go next. and i had to do the CIRP survey during some session with my orientation leader, so i didn't get to hear a lot of what he was saying.</p>

<p>if you have any questions about orientation, ask them here. i might be able to answer.</p>

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<p>You’ve got some good tips. I especially like getting in front of the lines; and also, catching up on sleep when you can. I never quite figured out how to get in front of the dining line without running and pushing and shoving and looking like a jerk. I think the best way to get in front of lines is to just show up a little early for events. Wearing a watch, and using a dayplanner helps get you where you need to be at college on time…and helps getting you first in line.</p>

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<p>Were there towels/shampoo and stuff like that or we have to bring that.</p>

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<p>All good tips, except I would encourage people to go out and do things after the day’s activities! I went on the ghost tour and played apples to apples with some people in the SLC, and it was really fun :] I got enough sleep and met some really cool people :]</p>

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<p>You have to bring EVERYTHING you need. They provide the bed/mattress only and the toilet paper, just like they do during the school year.</p>

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<p>I was thinking of bringing my laptop to check out ratemyprofessor before I sign up for classes. Will this work?</p>

<p>Also what did you do about all your AP classes that you are waiting scores on. I’m waiting on Physics,Calculus,Eng Lit, Economics, US Govmnt.
Scores don’t come till July, well past my orientation.</p>

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<p>you have to bring all of that.</p>

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<p>enough sleep for me is not 4 hours or so. i was pretty much brain-dead for both days of orientation. i just couldn’t focus or think well with that little sleep. but if you can handle it, then go for it. :)</p>

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<p>i didn’t see anyone with a laptop, but i suppose you could do that. i’m just not sure how and if you can connect to the internet. i guess you could use their wireless network? i know they told us that we could go to the “cyber cafe,” but i didn’t do that, and i don’t really know where it is. i checked ratemyprofessors from my iphone and from the computer i used to register. you should also check SUSSAI, by the way. [url=<a href=“http://wapps.oddl.fsu.edu/sussai/main.jsp]SUSSAI[/url”>http://wapps.oddl.fsu.edu/sussai/main.jsp]SUSSAI[/url</a>]</p>

<p>it helps if you can figure out what classes and teachers you want before going to orientation. it makes the process easier and quicker. but you still might run into problems. for example, i wanted to take a criminology class, but when i tried registering for it, it told me that the remaining open seats were reserved for majors in criminology.</p>

<p>i would think you would sign up for the classes that you’d take if you never took those ap exams or didn’t pass them. once you get your scores, you can make changes in your schedule accordingly. ask an orientation leader or adviser when you are there.</p>

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<p>S took his laptop and avoided the l-o-n-g lines to register in the computer lab.</p>

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<p>What things do I absolutely need to have?</p>

<p>I know the list says:</p>

<p>Photo Identification (so you can get your FSUCard)
Pen & paper
Umbrella
Comfortable walking shoes!!
Lunch money
Book bag for orientation materials</p>

<p>Anything else you’d recommend?</p>

<p>And to cjm, do you know if the dorm had wireless? I’m considering bringing a laptop as well.</p>

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<p>well, you definitely need photo ID</p>

<p>you need a pen because there are a few papers you have to fill out. you don’t need to bring your own paper unless you want to take notes.</p>

<p>no one used an umbrella. that might have been nice when i was there, though, because it rained a lot. lol</p>

<p>DEFINITELY comfortable walking shoes. you will do a ton of walking.</p>

<p>you will probably need some money for food. when you get to orientation, you are given a wristband to eat in the dining halls for free, but the food is mediocre, and you might want to eat somewhere else a few times. but there are like one or two times when you have to go to the dining halls.</p>

<p>and i’d recommend bringing a backpack. it’s easier to carry stuff on your back than carrying everything in a bag with your hands.</p>

<p>you should also bring snacks and water for convenience. your room will have a working refrigerator you can put drinks in to keep cold. bring a large bag for dirty clothes and towels.</p>

<p>if i think of anything else, i’ll post again.</p>

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<p>I’ll probably bring my laptop too cause I definitely don’t want to wait in line to register for classes.</p>

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<p>Matt125- S stayed in Wildwood for orientation and he said it was wireless. To register, he just went into the hallway of wherever the registration computers were.</p>

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<p>You can use your FSU ID to sign on to the FSU network anywhere there is wireless. My D definately checked out the ratemyprofessor! She went to “course look up” to job down names of profs esp for ENC 1101/1102 and other gen ed courses so she had some times and some names before she went in to actually register. She did that the night of the first long day, so the next day she has some ideas for when she went in to register.</p>

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<p>CREATE YOUR FSUID PRIOR TO ARRIVING ON CAMPUS
Your FSUID is the unique login ID assigned to you. This login will allow you to register for classes, check your grades, make payments, use the wireless network, and access a host of other electronic resources on campus. Getting your FSUID set up is easy. Simply go to [Blackboard</a> Academic Suite](<a href=“http://campus.fsu.edu%5DBlackboard”>http://campus.fsu.edu) and select “Activate your FSUID”. You will be prompted to enter some identifying information before being asked to create a password. Your FSUID will be given to you at the end; please do write it down so that you will have it at the ready.</p>

<p>CONFIRMATION BROCHURE
You should have received a mailed confirmation brochure with directions to campus, parking pass, and information about the orientation check-in location and time. If you do not have this information or need an additional copy, it can be downloaded from <a href=“http://www.orientation.fsu.edu/pdfs/fticconfirmation.pdf[/url]”>http://www.orientation.fsu.edu/pdfs/fticconfirmation.pdf&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;

<p>ACADEMIC PREPARATION
Please review the Academic Life section of our NewNole website in advance of Orientation: [fsu.edu</a> | Academic Life](<a href=“New Student & Family Programs”>New Student & Family Programs).</p>

<p>If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us by phone at 850.644.2785 or by replying to this email, leaving the subject line intact.</p>

<p>Sincerely, </p>

<p>Patrick M. Heaton, M.Ed.
Assistant Dean of Students
Director of New Student & Family Programs</p>

<p>Florida State University
Dean of Students Department
A4320 University Center
Tallahassee FL 32306-2443</p>

<p>Phone: 850.644.2785
Email: <a href=“mailto:orientation@admin.fsu.edu”>orientation@admin.fsu.edu</a>
Website: [fsu.edu</a> | new student & family programs](<a href=“http://nsfp.fsu.edu%5Dfsu.edu”>http://nsfp.fsu.edu)</p>

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<p>I don’t want to have it with me the whole time there and prefer to leave it in my car till needed.
Specifically when will I need to get it, which day what time? </p>

<p>Thanks for the list Jman. I think between that one and ratemyprofessor I can come up with a list of who to try to avoid.</p>

<p>Next question:
What about meal plans? did you sign up for them then? which one is the most flexible.</p>

<p>Lastly: Cars, freshmen & parking. Any info?</p>

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<p>you would need it on the last day of orientation; that’s when you register. according to my holopaw, it is at 11:15 am. there won’t be enough time between that session and the session before it to get your laptop. there should be plenty of time between the advising session (well for me there was) and the session before the registering session to go to your car though.</p>

<p>i didn’t sign up for a meal plan when i was there. i think you can do that anytime. my orientation leader suggested getting a block plan. i think i’ll get the 125 block. i really don’t want a meal plan, but landis requires one, so…</p>

<p>my orientation leader said parking is very limited. i’m not going to bring one. they have a bus system. he said, if you do plan to bring a car, be prepared to be a taxi driver from friday to sunday since a lot of people will want rides to places. lol</p>

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<p>Is there a list of which summer classes are available to freshman?</p>

<p>Do they tell you how to register online if you bring a laptop? Or is it recommended you just do it with the guidance counselor or w/e. I hate lines though, and would love to just be able to do it on my computer.</p>

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<p>[Course</a> Lookup Search Form](<a href=“http://apps.oti.fsu.edu/RegistrarCourseLookup/SearchForm]Course”>http://apps.oti.fsu.edu/RegistrarCourseLookup/SearchForm)</p>

<p>You can look up courses anytime. Registration windows are controlled by the registrar. For incoming students, your ID will be unlocked to be able to register starting only during your assigned time during your registration. Then the window closes, but reopens again. For summer it will reopen the day before or the day classes start for drop/add (for summer C it reopens the Saturday before classes start this year.) For fall it will reopen again July 13th. </p>

<p>If you are a summer C start, you register only for summer classes at orientation, but your adviser helps you plan for fall. You can register for fall on July 13th. During the time the window reopens you can change anytime. You can watch daily for closed classes to open a slot. This happens as grades come in for summer A/B, and as students drop classes for other reasons including AP scores, CLep scores, etc. </p>

<p>At orientation they will show you how to access the registration process. It can be done from any computer, but the window opens up during the sessions where they show you how. If you want to bring your laptop and have wireless access, you can.</p>