Do I Need to Go to Orientation?
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard this question - “Do I need to go to Orientation”? My team helped design and coordinate New Student and Family Orientation for 15 years so I’ve worked with thousands of new and transfer students and their families. Every year we would get calls and emails from students and families with this question. After all, they had come to campus already for a tour so why would they need to come back for Orientation? This post is to dispel myths about Orientation and hopefully convince you about the importance around Orientation so you can discover that the answer to this question is a resounding YES!
So what’s the purpose behind Orientation? Trust me, it’s not just another campus tour so let’s explore the top reasons for attending and having an outstanding Orientation experience.
Building social connections: Orientation allows students to meet and interact with other incoming students, as well as current students, faculty, and staff. It's a great chance to make friends, form study groups, and build a support network that can be valuable throughout their college journey. Students will also meet with Housing staff, who will provide critical support throughout their first year.
Learning about academic programs: Orientation typically includes sessions where students can learn about the various academic programs, departments, and majors offered by the college. This helps them make more informed decisions when it comes to choosing their courses and declaring a major. It’s a great way to connect with faculty and staff who will ultimately make a significant impact on your educational experience. Some of these people may become lifelong mentors and champions.
Understanding college policies and procedures: Orientation provides valuable information about college policies, procedures, and academic requirements. Students can learn about important deadlines, registration processes, campus resources, and student services. Being aware of these details from the beginning can help students avoid any confusion or potential issues later on.
Exploring extracurricular activities: Colleges often showcase their clubs, organizations, and extracurricular activities during orientation. Attending these sessions allows students to explore their interests, join student groups, and get involved in campus life outside of academics. Engaging in extracurricular activities can enhance personal growth, leadership skills, and overall college experience.
Accessing campus resources: Orientation offers an opportunity to learn about the various support services available on campus, such as academic advising, career counseling, health services, libraries, tutoring centers, and more. Understanding and utilizing these resources early on can greatly benefit students in their academic and personal development.
Addressing concerns and asking questions: Orientation provides a platform for students to ask questions, clarify doubts, and address any concerns they may have about college life. Whether it's about housing, financial aid, campus safety, or any other topic, students can get the information they need to feel more prepared and confident before starting college.
Becoming familiar with campus: Orientation provides an opportunity for students to become familiar with the layout of the campus, including academic buildings, residence halls, libraries, dining facilities, and other important locations. This helps them navigate the campus more efficiently when classes begin. Here’s a quick story about this. In our Orientation program we used to have a campus tour on day two and many students skipped out. So, we made a small change to the program and we called it “Find Your Classroom”. And wouldn’t you know it, participation skyrocketed! Yep, one small change led to a huge improvement in our program and students rated it highly.
Registering for Classes: Some institutions run what’s called a SOAR model. SOAR stands for Summer Orientation and Registration. This means you attend during the summer and this is when you actually register for your classes. Obviously this is a significant draw as the earlier you attend there is a good chance that there will be more flexibility with the number of classes still open and available. The longer you wait, the fewer choices you may have.
Overall, attending orientation before going to college helps students and families transition smoothly into their new academic environment. It provides them with crucial information, resources, and connections that contribute to a successful and fulfilling college experience.
Does Orientation Make a Difference?
Of course I’m biased, but I think Orientation is incredibly important and definitely makes a positive impact. I could share anecdotes about students who found their best friend standing in line at the Post Office or picking up their books at the bookstore. Or students who connected with an Orientation Leader who ended up being someone they could call and get tips to make it through the first year. But let me share some data that backs up the importance of Orientation.
Each year we did assessment and tracked students who attended and didn’t attend Orientation. We would have an incoming class of first-year students number about 800 and there would be another 200+ transfer students. After years of tracking the data, we found that students who attended Orientation retained at a significantly higher rate (15+%) going from year one to year two. This is a huge difference. Now, I know this isn’t a causal relationship, meaning there could be many reasons for a student to retain and many reasons for a student to stop-out. But the data clearly showed a relationship between attending Orientation and retention. So Orientation is not only important for the students and families, it clearly is important for the institution itself.
One Size Doesn’t Fit All
Different schools may offer different types of Orientation programs. Here are types you may find at your particular school. If you aren’t sure, then call them and find out what they offer.
First-Year Orientation: This is the most common type of orientation program and is designed specifically for incoming first-year students. It focuses on introducing students to the college experience, campus resources, academic expectations, and social aspects of college life.
Transfer Student Orientation: Transfer student orientation is tailored for students who are transferring from another college or university. It addresses the unique needs and concerns of transfer students, including credit transfer, academic planning, and adjusting to a new campus environment.
International Student Orientation: International student orientation is designed for students coming from other countries to study at a college or university. It provides information on immigration regulations, cultural adjustment, language support, and resources specific to international students.
Parent and Family Orientation: Many colleges offer orientation programs specifically for parents and families of incoming students. These programs provide information about campus services, academic expectations, financial matters, and support resources available to students. It helps parents and families understand how they can support their student during their college journey. Families also have an opportunity to connect with key staff so they know who to contact with questions they may have.
Online Orientation: Some colleges offer online orientation programs for students who are unable to attend an on-campus orientation or prefer a virtual experience. Online orientation may include videos, interactive modules, and virtual meetings to deliver information about campus resources, policies, and procedures. At Fort Lewis College, we hosted an online program called Pre-Campus Academy starting in July. It featured numerous online modules, launched on a weekly basis, and students who completed all the modules and attended Orientation were put in a drawing for a $500 scholarship.
Undoubtedly, if you are about to start your first year of college, you’ve already been getting emails and mailings about Orientation. Summer before college is busy but don’t delay in registering and making sure you put Orientation on your calendar. Is it just for the student? Are parents and families invited? Are there additional Orientation experiences to consider? For example, some schools run pre-Orientation programs where students can go on a backpacking or rafting trip, climb a mountain, take tours around the community, and learn school traditions. Fish Camp at Texas A&M is just one example of the many different pre-Orientation programs out there. Be sure to talk to your school as these programs are often very popular and can fill up early! Note that some may have an extra fee to participate.
In the end, Orientation is about setting the student up for success. As my high school basketball coach once told me “You don’t know what you don’t know. Make sure you show up.” That’s a good life lesson.
If you’re reading this and you’ve already gone to college, did you attend Orientation? Why or why not? I’d love to hear your thoughts below about your experience and what you remember.
I empower college-curious and college-bound students and families with the knowledge, tools, and confidence for college success. I will guide you through the complexities of college admissions and beyond, so you can create your boundless life.
Have a question or comment? Please leave it in the comment section below or contact me at mark@mastalskicoaching.com.
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