For the past three weeks, I have had the incredible honor of being an orientation leader for my university's leadership program. My co-facilitator and I introduced a total of 26 students in two weeks to the culture of our university, lead them through team building activities, and watched them learn in informative sessions.This opportunity has served as an incredible way to meet a few friendly faces of the incoming class of 2020 as well as an unforgettable opportunity to learn and grow as a leader and as an individual.
1. Be intentional.
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My co-facilitator and I were assigned mentors for the orientation process. One of the most memorable conversations I had during my time with orientation happened with my mentor. She told me that the majority of being an orientation leader doesn't happen during the weeks of orientation; in fact, the majority of my job will happen after the students move in and begin their freshman year.
She urged me to continue to foster these connections with the students I had the privilege to lead. I fully intend on heading her advice and I cannot wait to build stronger relationships with these students. I cannot wait to see my students again in the fall, get lunch/dinner/coffee with them, and watch them grown as students and as individuals.
2. You know have found the right school when you can fall in love with your school over and over again.
One day, I had to step out of leading an activity to take care of some administrative/office paperwork across campus; as I was walking back from the Student Affairs Office, I stopped dead in my tracks in the middle of my campus and just did a 360 degree turn. I appreciated the magnificent architecture of every single building and thought of all the memories I've created on those very sidewalks. I was falling in love with my school all over again.
Even as a rising Junior, I'm still so undeniably sure that I've found the right school for me since I can have these moments of serenity on my campus. Working for orientation has helped me fall in love with my school all over again and has reminded me that it really does become so easy to take what you have for granted when you're so busy in your day-to-day. Never again will I take this campus for granted.
3. The generation(s) behind yours are just as important as "your generation".
"Class rivalries" in terms of generation differences are only human in academic settings. But, in reality, we're all human; we all live on the same planet; we all make mistakes; we all have something that ignites the fire in our hearts.
Leading these students through different activities and sessions has allowed me to get to know them on a very personal level. I am forever indebted to my job as an orientation leader for this opportunity, as these students have taught me way more than I could have ever taught them.
4. It is okay to be different. In fact, it should be encouraged.
Could you imagine what this world would be like if everyone was the same? Really think about that for a second. Life would be so boring. I mean, it would be absolutely dreadful.
My co-facilitator and I really stressed individuality as well as being respectful and tolerant of other people's backgrounds and/or opinions. Going off of that, it is so important to foster different talents and abilities. Because of this, we were privy to what made these individuals shine and what made them who they were.
5. You can really never reinforce your campus' traditions enough.
Having a job with orientation was a great way to have a say in what younger generations know about the traditions of a campus. In all honesty, there's no better feeling than letting your students be privy to something that most of campus might not even know about the university/college.
My co-facilitator and I also aimed to teach our students skills that we wish someone had taught us as incoming freshman in order to ease their transition into being college students. Teaching these students about our traditions also served as a great reminder to us about what our campus stands for.
6. Some of the most stressful jobs are the most rewarding jobs.
It comes as no surprise that working a 10-12 hour day is stressful and exhausting, but orientation has been one of the best jobs I've ever had. Although I didn't quite make it through the three weeks without having a nervous breakdown, I still sincerely think it was all worth it in the end. There is really nothing better than giving advice to those who need it the most and for being there for a new generation of university students as they transition into a new chapter of their lives. Nothing compares to the excitement a new student experiences when they're exploring their new, 4-year home for one of the first times.
7. Showing the way is a million times better than telling the way.
There's a huge difference between telling a student where a building is and what it has in it and actually showing them where certain offices are. As stated above, this was a very important goal of both me and my co-facilitator was to teach our students valuable lessons and give them vital advice as they make their transition into becoming college students.
8. College can be really difficult, so it is important to keep the people who make you the happiest closest to you.
It also comes as no surprise that college can be stressful and isn't even remotely close to the initial orientation experience (usually). That's why it's so important to keep those bonds formed during orientation alive and rely on those friends to support you in any and all things. These are the people who will continuously show you the joy in the small things and help create those moments that keep you going through busy and stressful days.
Although this list does not even begin to scratch the surface of everything that being an orientation leader has taught me, this list could not have been made possible by the students that i was lucky enough to meet. If any of my students happen to be reading this article, this article is for you. Thank you for all of your laughter, all of your smiles, and all of your growth. Thank you for teaching me more than I could have ever taught you. See you in the fall, class of 2020!
