What are College Orientations? | Everything You Need to Know

What is an Orientation Programme?

Check: Checklist for Indian Students Going Abroad

Who are College Orientations for?

College orientations, which are typically organised to explain the academic policies, rules, and expectations, introduce students to the campus environment, and provide information to them about student services, clubs, and resources, are typically organised for:

• Newly admitted students
• Parents and guardians (some colleges and universities also invite parents to give them a campus tour and demonstrate what the typical academic journey of their child will look like and how it will shape their careers). 

Though the newly admitted students, parents and guardians are the main recipients of the college orientations, teachers, senior students, and support staff also participate to make the event more meaningful. 

What to Expect in a College Orientation?

The college orientation days are packed with events, introductions and procedures. Here are the key aspects of college orientations that you can expect on an orientation day at college. 

• Welcome and Introductions: You'll likely be greeted by college administrators, faculty members, and current students.
• Campus Tour: Students get a guided tour of the campus, learn about academic buildings, dorms, dining halls, and locate other important facilities such as the library, health services, and recreational facilities.
• Academic Information: You'll learn about your academic program, the expectations for the completion of your program, course offerings, course registration, academic advising, and support services.
• Student Life: You'll hear about student organisations, clubs, and activities available on campus.
• Socialisation: Orientation days provide opportunities to connect with your classmates, make new friends and get in touch with the old students (or seniors) at college. 
• Meeting with Faculties: Orientations are a great time to connect with your faculties to discuss the course components, degree requirements, and academic planning. Orientations also give you the opportunity to explore various existing student organisations, student clubs and extra-curricular activities available to them at their college. 
• Housing and Dining: Information about housing options (on-campus or off-campus) and dining plans will be provided.
• Financial Aid and Scholarships: You'll learn about available financial aid options and how to apply for scholarships.
• Registration Process: You'll be guided through the registration process for classes.
• Safety and Security: The college will discuss safety measures and resources available to students.
• Q&A Session: You'll have the opportunity to ask questions about any aspect of college life.

Also Read: How to Select the Right College Abroad?

Sample Schedule of a College Orientation

Here is a sample schedule of a college orientation:

• 9:30 AM - 10:15 AM: Check-in, welcome and introduction sessions.
• 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM: Meet with professors from your major, tour facilities.
• 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM: Lunch
• 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM: Meet with your academic advisor and schedule classes
• 3:30 PM - 4:20 PM: Next steps and closing

How to Prepare for an Orientation Programme?

Students can prepare for the orientation programmes at colleges beforehand. To do so, they can follow the points given below:

• Register: Many colleges set several dates for orientation. So, select the date that fits your schedule well and then register online. Before the start of the orientation, some colleges may require you to submit a photo for photo id, immunization records, and documentation of transfer or dual credits.
• Pack smartly: There might be a case when your college orientation date coincides with the move-in dates. So, bring everything that might be needed for the dorm room. For overnight orientation dates throughout the summer, bring a photo ID and a bag that includes clothes, toiletries, and other necessary items. The experts recommend wearing comfortable clothes and footwear on orientation day.
• Prepare a checklist: You can also make a checklist of the questions that can be asked during an orientation programme. These questions can be; how does the college communicate with the students in case of an emergency, what is the financial aid available towards the tuition fees, what are the security methods for residence halls, what latest COVID-19 protocols are being followed, etc.

Also Read: 10 Practical Tips for International Students to Manage Culture shock

Things to Remember Before Attending College Orientation

Orientation programme in college are all about basic introductions and about the college, the applicant is about to attend. Here are a few things to remember before attending college orientation programme below:

1. Do some research

It is easier and less stressful to attend orientation if you have an idea about what you are going to be doing there. Do make sure you check all the information that your school publishes online about the orientation process so you know what to expect there. That way you are prepared if it involves discussions based on readings you were supposed to read or bringing complete paperwork like vaccination records with you.

Many colleges abroad get you to register for classes at orientation. If you already know what you will be majoring in, check out which ones you need. If you are not sure about your major, figure out which education classes you are interested in so you don’t go through the registration process without any knowledge. The recommended way to prepare for registration is by checking the online course catalogue of your university to get more details about classes and then make a list of the ones that interest you.

2. Prepare yourself

Orientation is the time to get acquainted with your university campus and what life is going to be like. At the orientations, most colleges get you to pick classes for the semester. You can meet your academic counsellors and advisors and then plan out your major. You will also probably attend sessions to learn things like general rules and policies, the honour code, etc.

You want to make sure you wear comfortable clothing, bring a water bottle and have a pen and notebook. You should keep your phone silent during information sessions. That way you will not be distracted from knowing the essentials during the session. During evenings, colleges hold fun sessions that consist of activities like parties or opportunities to play games.

Check: Ready to study abroad? Expect changes and prepare for a new lifestyle

3. Explore the campus resources

As a college student, you will have access to various resources of the colleges such as cultural centres, career services, libraries, and more. While you are attending the orientation programme, make sure to keep checking these campus resources so that these can be used later while attending the classes.

4. Explore the options

At orientation, there will be a lot of information about different clubs you can be a part of. So it is a great opportunity to figure out what you will be getting involved in. If your school is big on sorority or fraternity life, orientation will have some informal activities going on and you will probably be able to speak with some sorority representatives. This will help you learn how to register and what some of the different sororities are like.

5. Be actively social

Remember that everyone is as new to the college as you are and probably is just as nervous about meeting people. Everyone wants to make friends, to interact with others as much as they can. Try starting a conversation with someone you have never met. There will be plenty of activities provided by orientation leaders to help all get to know each other.

Once you are out socializing, make sure to talk to a lot of people rather than just to your core peer group. If there is an option, stay overnight at the dorm instead of staying at a hotel. It will give you another opportunity to bond with your classmates and a chance to experience what it is like to live on campus.

6. Get to know the community

Entering a college opens new horizons. Getting enrolled in a college abroad means you will be entering a new community. So, it is important to know the community. During the orientation programme, you may get time to explore the off-campus. Go to a nearby café or a restaurant and explore the surroundings. This will be the community where you will spend some of your years, so it is better to be aware of it well in advance.