5 Ways to Make the Most of College Orientation

Starting your freshman year of college can be both an exciting and nerve-wracking experience. There's so much to do in preparation for the beginning of the semester, including what seems like endless piles of documents to fill out.

In spite of all the tedious paperwork, college orientations can be very useful. It can help the whole freshman year process feel less angst-ridden and more organized. This is a time when questions can be answered in person, and you'll have an opportunity to get a better feel for the people and places that you'll be in close quarters with for the next few years. When used wisely, college orientation can be an invaluable introduction to a successful collegiate life. Here are five tips to help you write a discursive essay and make the most of the orientation experience so you'll be prepared to enjoy your time on campus and in classes from day one.

Read the day's schedule and notes

The notes, forms, and bulky packets of information can certainly get a bit overwhelming. After a while, you might feel the temptation to skim over a lot of it. While some parts of the orientation packet maybe not be information that's necessary to help you get through the day, a lot of time and effort is put into creating the day's events. You don't want to risk missing an important meeting, panel, or other events—that may suggest to fellow students or faculty that you have a problem with following directions or that you're not very organized.

Come prepared with questions

Chances are, you have a million questions about the upcoming year. Take the time to write down a few of your most important concerns to ensure that you get the most benefit out of any question and answer sessions. Also, by having a few questions handy, you can use them as conversation starters while waiting in lines or exploring the offices and classrooms around campus.

Be friendly and participate

Faculty members and student coordinators often create group activities or games to help make orientations more fun. Ultimately, the goal is to encourage new students to get a head start on meeting friends and mentors or otherwise making connections. You may show up to orientation with your own agenda of things you'd like to do, but avoid skipping the planned activities, and don't complain about having to participate in group ice breakers or games. Doing so will likely cause you to stand out as someone who's not a good team player.

Be prepared to take good notes

Even though your orientation packet probably contains a large amount of information about what to expect, it's a good idea to bring a notebook or tablet to help you keep things organized and easy to find. As you tour the campus during the day, jot down notes about names, places, faculty members, and specific instructions. This may eventually save you a lot of time and help you become a "go-to" person for information in your first few weeks on campus.

Research before meeting with an advisor

Whether you're very clear on what program of study you'd like to pursue or you're undecided, it's a good idea to do some research before meeting with any professors or advisors. Know the necessary prerequisites for the classes you're considering and be aware of course timelines and schedules. This can enable you to ask useful questions that may save you time in the long run, and it may possibly help you get a head-start on registering for the right classes at the right time.

The bottom line is that preparation is key. It's normal to jump into orientation weekend with excitement (or even a little dread), but staying focused on the main reason you're there may help you to start your college career on the right track. The sooner you feel well-informed about the most important academic and administrative aspects of the upcoming year, the sooner you can start relaxing and enjoying the more fun and entertaining parts of college life.