Everything About Freshman Orientation

Going off to college is one of the biggest life transitions you’ll ever experience. Luckily, colleges don’t expect you to show up the day before classes and dive right in. They offer incoming students freshman orientation to help them make a smooth transition into college life. You might wonder what happens at Freshman orientation, and if it’s even worth attending. Freshman orientation might seem scary, or pointless, but it’s actually a great way to meet people and become familiar with your new college.

What is Freshman Orientation?

Let’s start with the basics. What does freshman orientation even mean? Freshman orientation helps incoming students get oriented, or acquainted with college. It may be held over one or several days, usually in the summer before the fall semester begins.

Your college may require you to attend some or all parts of orientation. We really recommend that you attend as much of your orientation as possible. It’s a good opportunity to learn more about your college and the unique services it offers.

There are tons of things that happen during freshman orientation, which we’ll cover next.

What Will I Do at Freshman Orientation?

Freshman orientation is all about getting to know your college as much as possible before you officially start.

What exactly you’ll do at your freshman orientation depends on your college. Most likely, your orientation will include a tour of the campus. You’ll see libraries, the fitness center, cafeterias and residence halls. Of course, it will take time before you really know your way around campus. But even a brief tour of your college will give you a sense of the vibe and campus culture. If you already know what classes you’ll be taking, orientation is a good opportunity to map out where the classes are located. This is much better than getting to school on the first day and having no idea where your class is!

Your freshman orientation will also involve informational sessions. At these sessions, you’ll learn about important policies at your college, safety protocols, and health services. You will also find out about clubs and organizations on campus that you can join.

Some colleges have students take placement tests during freshman orientation. Placement tests determine what your level is in a particular subject. For example, you may take a placement test in Spanish to determine if you should be in a beginner Spanish class or higher.

If your freshman orientation takes place over several days, you will have plenty of opportunities to have fun and make friends. There are orientation parties, icebreaker events, games and sports competitions.

What Questions Should I Ask?

Freshman orientation is THE time to ask all of the burning questions you may have about your college. Do not hesitate to ask questions, even if you feel like they are silly. Likely, other students have the same question but are scared to ask. Not sure what to ask? Here are 20 questions to get you started:

1. Where can I eat on-campus and what are the meal plans like?
2. How can I get around campus? Where can I park if I’m coming by car?
3. How do I request or change a roommate?
4. What are the current safety protocols?
5. What are the COVID-19 protocols? Is a mask required? Do I need to be vaccinated and boosted?
6. How can I add or drop classes?
7. How do I change my major?
8. How can I get in touch with my academic advisor?
9. What placement tests do I need to take?
10. How can I contact my roommate?
11. Do I need to purchase textbooks before the fall semester starts? Where is the book store?
12. How do I get involved in clubs and organizations?
13. How do I choose which dorm to live in?
14. How do I register for classes?
15. Where can I get extra help in my classes? Is there a tutoring center?
16. Is there a student health center? What about mental health services?
17. Where can I do laundry?
18. What work-study opportunities are there?
19. What are the library hours?
20. How can I get an internship?

How Should I Prepare for Freshman Orientation?

At freshman orientation, you’ll find out loads about your college. You should definitely go, and if you have a bit of extra time, it doesn’t hurt to do research and come prepared for the orientation. The more you know, the less overwhelmed you will feel. It’s a lot of information to learn in a short period of time.

Here are some things that might be helpful to do before freshman orientation:

• Read the pre-orientation information your college sends you. Your college may send you a checklist to complete before coming to orientation. You might have to provide immunization records, proof of citizenship, and register for placement tests.
• Check out the course catalog. It’s a good idea to start thinking about what courses interest you. Depending on your college, you may be able to register for classes at orientation. Jot down any questions you have about courses so you don’t forget to ask them.
• Make a list of places you’d like to check out on campus. Include places like campus stores and restaurants. Freshman orientation is about having fun too!
• Come with a notebook or another device to take notes. You’ll be learning so much during orientation and definitely won’t be able to remember it all.

Finally, make sure you come dressed in the proper attire. Before leaving for orientation, check what the weather is and dress appropriately. The last thing you want is to be uncomfortable. Keep in mind that you’ll be doing a lot of walking outside. If it’s the middle of summer and it’s going to be hot, bring a hat and water bottle and don’t forget to put on sunscreen. Bring an extra layer to put on for when you’re indoors and the AC is on full blast. If it’s a cold day, dress in layers and a warm jacket. And if necessary, bring along an umbrella.

10 Reasons You Should Attend Freshman Orientation

Still not convinced that you should attend your freshman orientation? While it might not be mandatory at your college, we can’t emphasize enough that it is worth going to. Here are ten reasons why freshman orientation is a great way to prepare for college:

1. Get to know your college campus better. Campuses are big, spread out places! During your campus tour, you’ll find out where you can hang out, study, do sports, grab a coffee, and so much more! You might even learn some history about your college.
2. Interact with professors. There will be professors on hand to answer your questions. Who knows, you might even be in one of their classes.
3. Learn about college resources and services. There are so many different ones available to help students. Orientation is a great opportunity to find out about them and ask any questions you may have.
4. Get help registering for classes. Registering for classes, especially the first time, isn’t something that’s obvious. At freshman orientation, you’ll get assigned to an advisor who will be able to assist you in registering for classes.
5. Sign up for some of the many diverse clubs and organizations in college. It’s a great opportunity to explore and find something that interests you.
6. Take placement tests to figure out what level you are in a subject.
7. Learn about your school’s COVID-19 protocols.
8. Complete any required paperwork.
9. Experience life in the dorm. If your freshman orientation is over several days, you’ll spend the night in a dorm room. This will give you a chance to see what it’s like to live in a small room with a roommate.
10. Make new friends. Perhaps you won’t make any BFFs, but even having a few acquaintances before leaving for college can help you feel more confident when you get there.

Final Thoughts

There is no better way to prepare for college than by attending freshman orientation. It was designed for students like you, who are about to make a huge transition and could use all the extra support. Take advantage of the opportunity to get to know your college better and make new friends along the way.