Last week, I attended two days of college orientation to prepare me for my next four years at the University of Iowa! Those 48 hours were fun, exhausting, and informative, and I highly encourage those who have a chance to go to their own orientation to do so. I ended up meeting a ton of new people and learning a ton of new things; these are just a few of the things I learned during my time at orientation!
1. You have way more options for classes than you could ever imagine.
On the second day of orientation, we picked our classes for the fall semester, and MAN are there a lot of options. In high school, it's pretty easy to tell what courses you need for the year, with only a handful of options to pick from in a few categories; in college, you have many different courses in hundreds of different groups. While some of them are major-specific and certain courses are outlined for you to take, your general education options are seemingly endless.
2. Advisors are one of your biggest resources.
I had never met my advisor until it was time to pick classes, but she (and her coworker who assisted her that day) already had a solid basis of who I am as a student because of my test scores and other high school information. She gave me helpful suggestions about classes to take as a freshman, and actively tried to know more about me so that she could help find me classes. Your advisors also help you explore study abroad options, give you good resources to succeed, and help to keep you on track for your major and other desired fields of learning. Basically, they're the superheroes to help you get where you need to go.
3. You'll make a ton of new friends without really trying to.
Going into orientation, I only knew a few people from the Class of 2021 Facebook group- and none of them made it into my orientation group. I was put into a group of almost twenty people, and I was really anxious to talk to new people and try to get to know them. By the end of the two days, I ended up making a few new friends, and I'm super glad I talked to them! Everyone at the school you go to is coming from a new place, and the odds are that they won't know more than a few people. Everyone wants to make friends, and you shouldn't worry about being someone you're not in order to do so.
4. Sensible shoes are important.
The University of Iowa's main buildings, called the Pentacrest, are on top of a hill. And I'm not talking about a little hill- I'm talking about a hill that makes you feel like you shouldn't have skipped leg day. You'll do a ton of walking during college, but orientation is built around seeing the campus and learning where you need to go, so it's basically a constant trek. Shoes that you can walk a few miles in without being in pain are the way to go, and it's important to choose function over fashion.
5. You can be both excited and loath to move to a new place.
I'm ecstatic for college, and orientation has further reinforced my excitement for it. But even if I'm happy to be going to college, I know it's still going to suck when I have to pack up all my things and leave my people in Denver. Orientation is about focusing on the positives and readying yourself for a new life, but they don't really prepare you for the bittersweet feelings you face.
6. Getting involved is both easy and important.
You'd have to try very very hard to not know about the different organizations you can join in college. During my orientation, they take you to several different talks and an info fair, where different clubs and student organizations have tables filled with information on how to join. They essentially hurl options at you, and give you tons of chances to get involved with them. Joining groups will help you to adjust to your new surroundings, give you purpose, and introduce you to new people, so there isn't really a reason to not be part of something.
7. Having a strong study and work ethic is highly necessary.
The general rule is that you should study 2-3 hours outside of class for every hour you spend in classes. Basically, you have to stay focused and dedicated enough to get your work done and prepare yourself for the courses you're taking. Personally, I'm really bad at studying for things, so I know I need to work on my studying skills in order to be successful. College is structured much differently than high school is, and your professors won't make exceptions for people who are unprepared because they didn't spend enough time on the materials.
8. Free time is abundant.
In high school, you're in school for most of your day, even more so if you participate in extra curricular activities. In college, you're in class for only a few hours per day, or not at all (on Fridays I have one 50 minute class, score). You basically get a chance to live your life and do what you want, which comes with benefits and risks. Free time is great, and you should use it as you wish, but remember to use it wisely.
9. Lots of people are here to help you.
You've got a ton of people on your side in college. Your professors want to help you understand the material and for you to succeed; advisors want you to stay on track to graduate; your peers want you to be happy and healthy. There are lots of individuals who can assist you to achieve greatness and be successful in college, you just have to reach out to them and voice your needs.
10. You have tons of chances to try new things.
In college, for better or worse, it's all you. Your parents don't get to help you pick classes, or sign you up for clubs, or dictate what sports you play. You basically get free reign to join whatever organizations you want, from picking a class in a new subject to dabbling in a sport you never got to play. This semester, I have classes in ballet and criminology, both things I have never studied before. In college it's up to you to make decisions about how you spend your time, and you might as well try something new while you can!
