<p>I’m in the college of letters and science. First day of orientation for me is July 18th. Anyone else going that day? Will there be any placement tests scheduled? Last year, people had to take math and english placement tests. Do we still have to take any, or was this year the first year they implemented the online test? Do you need to take an english placement test if you passed the ap lang exam (or the awpe equivalent)?</p>
<p>How does the touring work? Are you put with a group for 3 days? How many people?</p>
<p>And on a more curious note, how ‘private’ are the showers? I heard that some showers are CO-ED…that’s awkward. And some showers use a community drain, so some people have to stand on the gunk of other people. From where I come from, a lot of guys like to mess with each other, such as stealing their clothes, so they have to walk naked through the halls. Is college the same? lol</p>
<p>Heat. It’s very hot and humid in Davis right now. Probably in July too. I just went to my L&S orientation but it’s probably very different from the freshman one because ours is only a day long and we don’t need tests or anything . . . the one thing I can tell you is that if you don’t want to get sunburned bring some sunblock or something, don’t wear heavy clothing, bring/drink a lot of water. Seriously. Some people in my group almost fainted because it was 101 on the day we went and we had to walk across campus twice in the sun. Ugh.</p>
<p>Yep I went to the transfer orientation on the 28th and it was hell (especially because at one point I had to go up 4 flights of stairs after walking a distance in the heat). </p>
<p>We were usered from one place to another as they kept a really tight schedule. I can’t imagine doing that for 3 days. Hopefully, as a freshman you will have more down time.</p>
<p>If you can get past the heat you will notice that the actual campus is really nice. A pleasant mix of modern and more classic architectural styles (modern is starting to dominate) set around manicured, grassy areas and tree lined lanes. I took pictures somewhere and people thought I was at an amusement park.</p>
<p>A tip: if you have to walk almost instantly after lunch (I did) eat lightly. I think the combination of food, heat , and walking created problems for the tummy and almost half the people in my group had grumbly tummys that could be heard in the silent hall where we were usered LOL.</p>
<p>Lucky you if it isn’t that hot, bring lots of water and dress as lightly as possible if it is^^</p>
<p>Wow, I’ve never heard of Davis being particularly humid. HOT, yes!! But I always thought it was a DRY heat. Maybe there’s more humidity right now? Yikes! Maybe this was another reason my daughter chose to attend Cal Poly SLO over UC Davis. ;)</p>
<p>Be careful in that heat!</p>
<p>**enchantedIvy said:</p>
<p>Heat. It’s very hot and humid in Davis right now.**</p>
<p>2Leashes: i find it puzzling that u often are on the DAVIS board mentioning that your daughter “chose slo over davis”. in this case, these students are talking about the weather. exactly why u find it relevant to even mention your daughter is… curious behavior for an adult…to say the least. </p>
<p>different strokes for different folks. may u and your daughter be happy with her decision.</p>
<p>The only classes that are in session during the peak heat are summer or special sessions so I don’t think most really experience it. Regular school picks up right at the cool down in fall and ends when it starts to become warm. The town is pretty/cute and the people are very nice (despite the rumors that say otherwise).</p>
<p>Another thing to note is that yes, it does get hot, but there is such a thing as central air conditioning. Most, if not all, houses in the valley have a cooling system. And freshman have really nice, air-conditioned halls^^</p>
<p>However, I went to use the bathroom (in the hall), saw a male/female sign on the door, sighed, and found a female-only place. . .out of habit.</p>
<p>I’m currently a third year right now, but I still remember my orientation pretty well. And as other people have previously mentioned, it is quite hot in Davis. But you’ll be in the dorms with ac so you’ll survive! Unless you opted to not use the housing. We were in Tercero my year (Kearney and Laben- the newer ones).</p>
<p>So basically, orientation is divided into 3 days (though more like 2 1/2). You check in, they give you your room key and your meal card and a folder of papers and a book listing all the classes at Davis. Then you go and have your ID picture taken and you meet up with your Orientation Leader. The first day is pretty much getting all the freshmen pumped for their first year (for example, the Aggie Pack showed a video in Sci Lec and taught the cheer), and meet with your major advisers. Your O leader talks about fulfilling your requirements and GEs and such and they tell you how to pick your classes and how to register for them on SISWEB. Your O leader will tell you which placement tests you need to take. Placement tests take place the morning of the second day. Not sure if the English one is offered, it was only math and chem when I went. But if you passed the AP English or AWPE, you don’t need to take it. And the second day is pretty much more presentations (talk about financial aid, sexual harassment, campus safety). Finally, the last day, you meet up with your O leader in the morning and pick your classes (you can always change your schedule later, so don’t feel bummed if you don’t like your schedule). And that pretty much sums up orientation (my experience anyway, I don’t know how much has changed in the past year). </p>
<p>And to answer your other questions, the tour (if you signed up for it) was given at the very end. I didn’t go on it (I had a train to catch), but all I know was that it’s given at the end when everyone’s leaving. </p>
<p>You are put into a group of roughly 10-12 with your O leader. I think they group you by last names, cause my group has mostly L last names. </p>
<p>As for showers go, they are pretty private. Each one has their own stall with a door you can lock (so your clothes will be locked in with you) If you feel you have to stand in the gunk, just wear shower flip flops. I don’t know about co-ed, but I had a girls bathroom and the guys had their own bathroom.</p>
<p>Wow thank you so much for that well-thought-out response. It really helps! With all the hectic activities, do you get a chance to befriend others? Is there free time?</p>
<p>Don’t worry, you get PLENTY of free time. If you’re lucky, you can befriend your roommates. I was in a triple during orientation, and both my roommates were really easy to get along with. I’m currently living with one of them right now, because we happened to stay in touch. At night, the O leaders will take a big group of students to go to the ARC one day, and the other day they took them to the MU/Arcade. I’m pretty sure you’ll befriend people there. </p>
<p>Also, it depends on how social you are. If you’re comfortable jumping into a group watching TV in the lounge, or knocking on your neighbor’s door and striking up a conversation, or going to meals together, then go right ahead! It’s easier to befriend people in your group too. Remember, you’re not the only one that wants to meet people at orientation! </p>
<p>Also, the presentations (financial aid, campus safety) are not mandatory, unless you’re really interested in hearing more. It may seem like a hectic schedule, but you actually get a lot of down time. I found myself wandering around campus and a group of my floor walked over to the dairy facility to look at cows.</p>
<p>Friends will pop up at the most unexpected times. I befriended someone while we were both waiting for our trains at Amtrak after orientation. Hope you have a great time at orientation and then you can share your experience with others as well!</p>
<p>Ok, I’m somewhat worried from the last few posts. I signed up for the 1 day orientation because of the price. I figured that I would just drive home afterwards (I live about an hour away) and come back the next couple of days in the morning. Is this how it works if you only signed up for the 1 day orientation?</p>
<p>However, will I be missing a lot of “bonding” by not spending the night there, or be missing some really important information/tests/class signup stuff by not doing the full 3 day orientation?</p>
<p>Does this also mean that during the day they’ll split me off from the group while they eat and I’m shoo’d away like an abandoned puppy?</p>
<p>I honestly think you’d greatly benefit if you just go to the orientation for all 3 days. My friend went to his orientation a week or so ago and said he met some really cool people. So when fall comes around, you already have people you know, and you’re not starting from square one. If money is an issue, doesn’t FAFSA got you covered? What’s a few hundred bucks to start off college without missing out on anything you may regret. Afterall, if you can afford the tuition, I’m sure orientation won’t be a problem. That is assuming money is the problem though, for staying overnight and all.</p>
<p>As mentioned above, you’ll need to take some placements tests if you have not already, AND you need to sign up for classes, get your ID. Other stuff is just getting to know your way around Davis, and procedural stuff. If you really cannot stay over, for whatever reason, then you have the option to just go attend to the important matters.</p>
<p>IMO, the money is going into the experience. Everything else, you’ll eventually get to anyway.</p>
<p>What happens if you do not go to orientation? How do you get registered for classes and get all the information beforehand? I do not think I could get off work and am only interested in taking any placement exams/getting my classes anyway.</p>
<p>I had a great time at orientation. I’m from socal and it was my first real experience of being far away and by myself, so to me it was an exciting experience haha. But I honestly wouldn’t get too stressed about orientation. I don’t know anything about the 1 day orientation and I don’t know anyone who chose that option (i don’t even remember it being an option when i signed up for my date). I don’t know what they do, but I’m guessing you at least take your exams and sign up for classes?? Registering for classes on sisweb is not that difficult at all, and I’m sure if you have problems, people on this board are more than willing to point you in the right direction.</p>
<p>And I’m sure you’ll meet lots of people in that one day. Don’t get too worked up about “bonding.” Many people bond with their floormates when they move in and usually RAs set up opportunities for the entire floor to hang out. Also, if you think you missed something presented at orientation, ask your RAs when you move in! They’re really helpful in providing basic information and about classes/units, campus life, etc.</p>
<p>@ theReach & TheCrimsonQuill, what was it like?? What kind of dorms did you get to stay in? I know some people have already given some detailed answers, but you guys have the most recent experience. Glad you guys enjoyed it though, that makes me less nervous about mine next Sunday!</p>
<p>Well, since you don’t accept private messages, I’ll answer here. First of all, I just happened to be over here because a friend’s daughter is attending Davis and her computer is down. I told her I would check the forum for any updates or tips she might want to hear about. </p>
<p>As for mentioning my daughter in relation to the weather, it was simply chit-chat. She would have done fine at either school. And, I don’t recall being over here *often *mentioning that she “chose SLO over Davis”. Probably more so after she made her decision. But, she could only choose one and CPSLO just happened to be more affordable and had her major. Does it feel less puzzling to you now? ;)</p>
<p>**calamami wrote:</p>
<p>2Leashes: i find it puzzling that u often are on the DAVIS board mentioning that your daughter “chose slo over davis”. in this case, these students are talking about the weather. exactly why u find it relevant to even mention your daughter is… curious behavior for an adult…to say the least. </p>
<p>different strokes for different folks. may u and your daughter be happy with her decision.**</p>
From where I come from, a lot of guys like to mess with each other, such as stealing their clothes, so they have to walk naked through the halls. Is college the same? lol</p>
Glad you guys enjoyed it though, that makes me less nervous about mine next Sunday!</p>
First of all, I just happened to be over here because a friend’s daughter is attending Davis and her computer is down. I told her I would check the forum for any updates or tips she might want to hear about. </p>