Now, the orientation process can be intimidating for students that are just leaving high school, so (as always), here are a few tips to make the process easier:
1). A lot of schools do an overnight program (you stay in a dorm with other new students)--prepare yourself for the fact that you aren't going to get ANY sleep! My school does course registration on the second day of this program. Exactly how coherent do you think you're going to be making decisions about your courses when you're sleep deprived? Functioning in a state of sleep dep is a skill you won't truly master until the end of your freshman year--so plan ahead! Think about the classes that you need and want to take and write them down...but be flexible and be willing to be guided by an advisor!
2). Do you have questions about your degree program? Write those down too! You're going to spend a lot of time being moved from one location to another (a sensation of sheep-like lassitude is common) and you're going to get a veritable avalanche of information thrown at you. Each time you sit down at another presentation, pull out your list of questions. You may find that a large percentage of your concerns are addressed long before you speak with an advisor!
3). Resist, whenever possible, allowing your parents to do things for you! Clearly, there are limits to this (allowing your parents to buy your books, any and all school-related clothing items, and expensive technological toys is a complete given) but your parents should NOT be planning your class schedule. Now is the time for you to start taking ownership of your education--and yes, that is a phrase you will hear from me often throughout your 4 years in college. If your parents start to question your decisions after you've created your schedule, repeat after me, "My advisor and I determined that these were the best possible classes based on availability and my interests." **And please remember that as soon as you register for classes, you are protected by FERPA (Family and Education Rights Privacy Act). That means that I (your advisor) can NOT talk to your parents about your schedule (or anything else that was said in my office) without your express permission.**
4). Take care of all your unfinished business. Make sure you get your student id (yes, they all look like that...no one has a "good" id picture), sign up for your dining hall meal plan (less is more...and you are seeing the best the dining hall has to offer during Orientation...the food is going to go downhill once you get on campus in the fall), make sure you know where you're living (if you haven't gone inside the dorm...do so), get your parking pass (if applicable, they sell out quickly!), and make sure the financial aid office has your FAFSA on file (stop in to the office and make sure they don't need any tax forms to complete the awarding process!)
5). Keep yourself organized! Take a folder and a notebook with you to Orientation. Your folder should include the following items:
- your student id# (this should be on your acceptance letter),
- any AP/IB scores you have (the scores for your senior year are not typically available until July--give us your best guess!),
- any Dual Enrollment (classes you took in high school that gave you college credit) transcripts,
- SAT scores,
- completed placement tests (math, chemistry-if applicable, foreign language-if applicable),
- your list of questions for advising,
- your list of potential classes for the fall,
- a to-do list (I'm a big fan) of things you need to get done during Orientation (i.e. Housing deposit, meal plan, financial aid, etc.)
Doing all of this will help you feel a bit more prepared for Orientation...and it will likely make your Orientation experience more enjoyable!
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