Back to School: What to Expect at Your College's Orientation Week

If you are going off to college for the first time, especially at a school where you don't know anybody at all, new student week can be a little bit intimidating. This is because you will have to get to know the campus, your roommate, your floor mates, pick classes, learn college policies, be away from home for the first time, and so much more, all during the week right before school starts.

However, there are a number of things that you can expect during any college orientation week or new student week, and knowing these will help you be prepared for what you will encounter.

College Orientation Week: Expect Lots of Icebreaker Games

The wonderful thing about your college orientation week is that very few of the students know each other, and there are a number of activities you will participate in that will help you get to know your classmates. They will be silly games, mostly involving names, or funny things that might be a little embarrassing to you, but enjoy them.

Just remember at the end of the week when you are getting tired of the games that everybody else is in the same boat, has played the same games a billion times before, but is still interested in knowing what your name is and what you are like.

College Orientation Week: Far Too Much Information to Absorb

During your college orientation week, you will have a lot of information tossed at you. The good news is that people don't expect you to remember everything you heard. Don't feel bad if you can't remember everybody's name, or if you don't know exactly what classes you need to take to finish your major. There are plenty more opportunities to get this information later, as long as you pay attention to where the resources are (or ask your RA if you forget).

College Orientation Week: Lots of Options

You will find during college orientation week that there are so many options for activities to get involved in, both during the week itself, and for the duration of the school year. Don't worry about picking exactly the right things, or about doing everything, because it is just the first week. You will have a full four years on campus to get to know people, find the activities you are passionate about, and anything else that may be fighting for your attention during new student week.

College Orientation Week: Expect Fun Memories

Lastly, regardless of what happens during your college orientation, expect that you will have a lot of fun memories from that time. The friends you meet may not be your best friends during college, but you will be able to look back at the end of your time there and remember that night you stayed up late talking together during orientation.