It’s not even my Orientation, and I’m already excited for Orientation Week! As an upperclassman, I am extremely excited to welcome all the new first years and transfer students to our campus. There are a few tips I would like to share to make sure you have a fun, successful Orientation week.
1. Go to every event.
Often, students read the title of an orientation event and think it does not pertain to them or that they know 100% they will not be interested. Don’t forget, you just got to Rochester! GO TO EVERYTHING. You never know if you will find an interest, learn something new, or make a friend. Go to all the lectures, events, and shows you can during orientation week because it’s your chance to see the campus and meet new students.
2. Don’t stress about unpacking right away.
Initially, spend some time setting up your room, but don’t let that keep you away from fun orientation activities. You will probably end up moving your room around 100 times during your first month in the dorms, so unpack and set up in baby steps.
3. Don’t do anything you’re not comfortable doing.
I get that you are in college for the first time, but don’t do anything you’re not comfortable doing. Stay safe, and remember you’re in college to study, work hard, and gain a valuable education from the University of Rochester.
4. Ask for numbers.
Get the phone numbers of the people you meet. You never know when you will need to get in contact with them. But more importantly, you can hit them up and ask which events they plan to attend during Orientation week, and where they will be sitting. This is a great way to hang out with the new friends you make.
5. Be yourself.
These are students you are going to be with for the next four years, so be yourself, and act normally. Don’t feel like you need to be fake in any way. I know you may be nervous meeting so many new people, but it’s so important to just be yourself and naturally find those people who you get along with and make you comfortable.
6. Don’t stress about classes starting.
Enjoy your week! Classes will start eventually, but the first few weeks of the semester are going to be slow. You’re not going to have a huge exam on the first day of classes, so don’t freak out. I will say, though, that you should get rest before the first day of classes! Depending on your schedule, you might have a long day to get through.
7. Get that free stuff!
Orientation week is filled with fun Rochester giveaways. Collect them, keep them, treasure them. It’s fun to get some new blue and yellow stuff for your room. And when you move out at the end of the year, take it home, and start a collection of Rochester memorabilia. Years from now, it’ll be fun to show your own kids the cool things you have from your college years, and of course, all the memories that went along with it.
8. Spend time with your roommate.
After classes start, you and your roommate may not get a chance to see each other as often, so take this week to spend some time with the people you will be living with. It is really important to be on the same page as the person you’re living with, so make sure you communicate and try to get to know them.
9. Don’t be late to residential life meetings.
These are extremely important. Don’t be late to any residential meetings and make sure you know when and where they all are. Ask your Residential Life Team (Residential Advisor, Dandelion, and First Year Fellow) for meeting details and instructions if you are unsure. These are also important because they let you know more about all the fun activities that are coming your way.
10. Have some fun!
Enjoy this week because honestly, it is one you’ll remember for a long time. I still remember everything I did and who I met during Orientation. It’s a chance to get comfortable with not only people, but also the campus itself. The U of R is a beautiful campus with so many historical buildings and areas. The Orientation staff works extremely hard all summer putting this week together, and year after year, they excel at what they do. Enjoy all they have planned for you!