<p>I've been asked to give advice for a college orientation program and would really appreciate hearing about your experiences.</p>
<p>What was included in your program? What worked? What didn't? What would you have like included that wasn't?</p>
<p>Did you feel it was worth it to attend? </p>
<p>If your parents went, what were their experiences like, and did they think it was worth it?</p>
<p>Thanks so much!</p>
<p>I just attended my orientation 2 days ago. It was supposed to last from 8:30am-6:00pm, but instead only lasted until about 4:00. We started with 1 hour of check-in time/breakfast. We also had our pictures taken for our student ID cards at that time. There were a few booths open with representatives from a few of the departments (english, athletics, etc) where they were passing out flyers. Then we broke into groups by what major we are and had a 1 hour campus tour. Following this we listened to one of the Deans speak about the school and tell us how excited and proud they are that we chose their school. This wasn't really important. We had a short ice-breaker after this which was pretty nice because it loosened most people up. Then we ate lunch in the residence hall cafeteria right before a tour of the dorms. Then the main part of the day followed: 2 hours for course registration. This was not handled all that well. They had about 3 staff members helping 30 of us in a computer lab that could not accomodate all of us. Most students were completely confused on how to sign up for courses, let alone decide which courses they wanted to take. I was a little more prepared solely because I had attended a 2 hour advising session with an advisor a few weeks before hand. After registering for classes we had presentations about financial aid, computing resources, and campus safety which were all really beneficial. At the end of the day we picked up our student ID cards and were allowed to go home.</p>
<p>I would have liked for the orientation to allow for many of the student organizations to hold information booths. I also think there should have been more activities held geared toward getting the students together in conversation. I actually met and formed 4 close friendships while I was there just by starting up conversations myself. I also just found out that myself and another kid at orientation have been approved to be roommates next year after requesting it yesterday! My parents did not attend even though there was a separate parent orientation being held at the same time. They will attend another session next week instead. Hope this helps!</p>
<p>NYU's CAS orientation was a pretty awesome experience, i think. It was a total of three days (actually more like 2 1/2) and even though it consisted of welcome speeches and placement tests, it turned out to be fun. Everyone seemed rather nervous during the beginning of the first day because we were all strangers, but then we got randomly divided into groups of about 10 with 2 student orientation leaders per group. The student orientation leaders were all extremely outgoing, friendly, funny, and helpful, which made the atmosphere casual and laid-back so we stopped feeling nervous halfway through day 1. We got to know our groups pretty well throughout the three days, because we held frequent getting-to-know-you meetings and activities as well did our course programming together. I think it was a clever move on NYU's part to arrange the breakdown to smaller groups, because it at least gave us a little feeling of belonging while we were there. I think orientation was definitely worth going to (although i don't know if it was worth the money...$280+plane tickets). after attending it, i feel a lot more confident and excited about the upcoming year.</p>
<p>My friend attend frreshman orientation at Howard University she said it was four days. She said on the first day they checked into the residences halls. Then after checking in they went to a lecture type thing at the school of bussiness then had to take placement tests then they were introduced to their chaparones. After they ate dinner then they went to some kind of math workshop. After which they had those "getting to know you" exercises </p>
<p>they had breakfast then broke down into prospective schools and walked arond and met professors and their advisors then they had brunch then registered for classes met with student clubs, athletic coaches, ROTC and the health center. Then they had dinner then they had to practice skits about the transition from high school to university or something then had a party in the bowling alley</p>
<p>They had an english workshop and then study skills workshop, then brunch then they went to the bookstore to buy books and such then a tour of DC. Then they preformed their skits.. </p>
<p>then it was pack up and leave day, basically take your stuff and go home. But Orientation had a cost, but i am not sure how much i am sure they had a one day oriendtation though. i'll be attending next year since i am an '06er</p>
<p>UChicago orientation is the week before classes start (freshman move in a week early). Since its a private institution with students from all over, it saves the students from having to buy airline tickets just for a day or two of orientation.</p>
<p>State schools however, with thier much larger class sizes comprised mostly of nearby students, are much better off spreading out their orientation into groups that come over the summer for a day or two (since most of the students can arrive by car easily).</p>