(written by Jay, College Outreach Specialist, Center for College Planning)

Hello, 2010 graduates! My name is Jay Hauser and I’m one of the College Outreach Specialists at the Center for College Planning. I was reminiscing the other day in one of our staff meeting (my boss may call it daydreaming) and was thinking that just a little over 15 years ago I was graduating high school just like you (even if we are in two separate generations!). Thinking back to the year I graduated from high school Bill Clinton was President, Shaggy was on top of the charts with Mr.Boombastic, and I thought wearing tight-rolled stone washed jeans and Benetton Rugby shirt was cool.  Wow.  Was I wrong!

Today, you may be thinking we are very different, but would you believe we actually share some similarities?  Fifteen years ago I was excited but I had no idea about the journey I was about to begin. I had no idea what college was going to be like, how I would fit in. 

So what do you do to help figure out what college is going to be like?  Attend college orientation!

College orientation is more than an introduction to the college of your choice; it’s a starting point to the next two to four years of your educational experience.  Orientation usually includes:

• Panel discussions on campus and residence life
• Sessions on academic and school life
• Financial aid overviews and discussions
• Study abroad presentations
• Placement exams for different subject areas
• Chances to meet your college advisor or peer leader
• Social events to meet new people

For many of you, orientation is also a chance to meet new classmates and even find a potential roommate. It may also be a great  opportunity to scout out places to socialize - a coffee house, restaurant, or off campus hangout. 

One of the most important pieces of advice I can give you is that all college orientations will differ.  Some colleges will offer multiple orientation schedules throughout the summer; others will be a one shot deal.  Logistically they will all differ as well.  For example, many colleges now make it a family orientation where they will include your family in the process as well.  Some even take it a step further, like Boston University and UCLA who have sports and art and craft sessions for younger siblings. 

When booking your orientation, read all the materials the college sends to you to make sure you are getting everything you need.  And, here are five pieces of advice when you are thinking about attending your freshman orientation, here you go:

1) It’s a new environment, no one knows each other. Orientation can sometimes create socially awkward moments. If you're feeling a little shy, not sure how to approach people, maybe feeling a little overwhelmed with the large group, keep in mind that everyone is new. Get engaged into the environment!  Make a point to socialize, take advantage of mixers, games, and activities.  If you haven’t already, get connected to a social media network like Facebook to stay in touch with the people you met at orientation. 

2)  Complete the orientation checklist. Get your student ID card, creating a school email account, and registering for classes are the building blocks for the rest of your college years. Whatever the expectations are for your school’s orientation, meet them!.

3) Take your placement exams. Some schools will have you take placement exams during orientation.  For some reason they usually start at 8:00 in the morning.  Placement exams are how a college determines where you are academically – and might help you to take a higher level course or to drop an entry level class.  

4) Go to as many things as possible.  Would you rather learn how to use the campus library while relaxed and meeting new people, or later in the semester when you're really stressed, tired, and backed up against a deadline for a really important project? Take advantage of everything during orientation, because when you go back in the fall you will not only have classes, but you will be busy fitting in to a new environment, making friends, and living on your own.
 
5) Ask for help when you need it. Everyone on campus, from staff, students, and faculty, knows that orientation is a time for learning new things and getting familiar with your new home. College personnel will work very hard to make sure you have the best experience possible. 

So today as you start your college career, I am inspired by the words of one of our greatest American literary writers, Henry David Thoreau, who said, “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams, live the life you’ve imagined.” I encourage you to live the life you’ve imagined.

Wishing you the best,
Jay Hauser