College Life

So you have ended up here, searching frantically over the internet for a comprehensive guide to freshman college orientation. You may be a parent, friend, or even the incoming freshman who feels a little nervous about staying overnight with a new group of people you have never met. Well hopefully I can assuage your fears. As an incoming freshman myself, (who has already participated in Freshman Orientation), I wanted to help you by telling you about how a regular orientation schedule will go and a few tips about what to bring on the trip. 

Okay, so you have signed up  or are about to sign up for freshman orientation on your university's website. What now?

Wait nervously and think and overthink about what to bring? How about you just sit back and relax because Freshman College Orientation is a fun-filled experience that serves its purpose to, not only introduce you to the campus, but allow you to encounter a small dose of college life for two or three days. For example, my university hosted various orientations over the beginning of the summer that were three days and two nights. Seems pretty intimidating when your university tells you that it’s mandatory and that you will be rooming with someone you have never met before, but don't fret! This experience will surely be one you will remember over the summer as you begin your journey to your first day of college. 

First things first, if you are signing up for orientation, I cannot stress this enough, make sure you sign up for an EARLY DATE! Signing up for an early orientation will ensure that you will be one of the first to CHOOSE YOUR CLASSES AND MAKE YOUR SCHEDULE. Believe me when I say that I learned from experience, that when you attend a late orientation date, many of the class slots are taken, or many time slots are unavailable making for a very strange schedule your first semester. (I have both a morning class and an afternoon class because it was the only thing available.) In my experience, colleges do realize that it wouldn't be fair to students who attend the late orientation dates to not have any classes available, therefore they reserve a few spots for classes that are available, but these spots are very limited. So if you take any advice from this page, it is to make sure to try and get as early an orientation date as you can, it will save you the hassle of stressing over the classes you have to schedule or be completely (for lack of a better word) screwed over and have to take an elective instead of a required class for your major. Now that you have registered, make sure you have the orientation date written down and that your parents and yourself are completely free from any other appointments. Orientation is very time consuming and is worth focusing on completely because, after all, you will probably be living at this university for four years. 

Second: Start packing! No, I am kidding. If you want to pack weeks in advance, then by all means, go ahead. But really, packing shouldn't take so long. The following is a list of everything that I could think of to bring to Orientation to be fully prepared:

Starting with ID and materials: 

• ID (license, ID, passport)
• Backpack or purse*** Super important to bring because by the end of Orientation you will be drowning in papers and information. You really don't want to be hanging on to papers in your hand for two-three days. 
• Pen/Pencil, forms upon forms to fill out...
• Umbrella/Rain Poncho/Rain Jacket, trust me you will be one of the most envied people there if you have something to keep you dry from that really random rain storm

Clothes/Suitcase:

• Suitcase.. Okay, so odds are you are so confused about the size of the suitcase you should bring or if you should really bring that silly patterned one from fifth grade that you took on your first overnight school field trip... It is your choice and feel free to pick whichever suitcase your heart desires. Unless the college specifically identifies a size of a suitcase that you should use, you can bring a large backpack (looking at all the guys out there that can fit everything in such a small bag) or a large suitcase (that can fit two small people and whole bed linen set). I chose a typical black carry on size luggage bag with wheels. 

What to Put in the Suitcase:

• ·         Bed sheet! Twin XL, any pattern you feel comfortable with.

• ·         Blanket, You can bring the thin that typically goes with the bed sheet or bring your own fluffy one (which is what I chose to do) College dorms tend to get cold sometimes and if you are one of those people who gets cold easily, (ahem…) I suggest bringing the fluffy one because it will keep you warmer and probably make everyone jealous that they didn’t think to bring it. TIP: No space in that suitcase? Put your folded blanket inside your pillow.

• ·         Pillow with Pillow cases, pretty self-explanatory, unless you like sleeping without a pillow

• ·         Towel: I chose to take one towel because you can use it three times as long as you hang it to dry. But if you prefer, and have the space, go ahead and take two.

• ·         Toiletries: I personally took one of those hanging toiletry bags because it makes the organization process so much easier with all the little places to put things, but you can take your toiletries however way you want.

o   I suggest travel size shampoo and conditioner,

o    body wash,

o    a loofah or wash cloths,

o   Body lotion

o   Toothbrush and toothpaste (mouthwash)

o   Makeup (I only brought the essentials because unless you want to wake up earlier than 7 AM after being so tired and do a whole makeup routine… You, my friend, are an overachiever. I brought primer, face powder, kabuki brush, small eyeshadow palette, mascara, blush, eyeliner, setting spray, lip gloss)

o   Brush or comb plus hair ties, bobby pins, accessories

o   Any other personal thing or necessity (medicine, vitamins) I suggest bringing some Advil because it might come in handy for that random headache that refuses to go away

Finally, the Clothes:

• ·         Dear readers, please don’t bring any easily wrinkled clothing unless you want to walk around with lines down your shirt.

• ·         It’s college! Dress how you like! No, I am so serious on this one. College is a really relaxed atmosphere (at least at this point).

o   What I suggest:

o   Bring clothes for all your days plus an extra outfit just in case. You can re-wear your pajamas or bring a set for each day.

o   Jeans, they match with basically anything, and you can’t go wrong with a stylish pair of jeans and a cute blouse.

o   Shorts, Oh man, I live in one of the hottest places in the United States, so I definitely had to bring shorts. Considering I am not the boss of you, I won’t tell you what style of shorts to bring, but in the interest of helping you, I took some midi-length printed shorts, and midi-length green trouser button shorts. Both were (in my opinion) cute and can be paired with a simple blouse.

o   Blouses and/or t-shirts. I took some simple blouses, but for the last day, where I was meeting with the financial advisor, I took a more professional looking blouse. (It was not a button up or collared shirt, so don’t overthink it. )

o   Jammies

o   Shoes: I guess I like to suffer for style because I didn’t take walking shoes. I took sandals (two pairs) and it was fine. If you are willing to compromise comfort for style, you can go my route, or take NIKES and your feet will thank you. (You can take whichever brand you want/have, but it just so happens that I have NIKE Juvenate shoes that feel like soft clouds and yea.. they are pretty awesome.)

o   Socks, for your shoes.

o   Jewelry (I took a few bracelets and a necklace)

o   Sweater because let’s face it. It gets so cold in those really big auditoriums. 

Good Lord, I almost forgot the phone charger and wallet:

• ·         Don’t forget the charger for your device and your wallet (with money, because you will want to buy souvenirs and shirts representing your school! Also, there may be times where you may have to buy food for yourself. TIP: Bring your own snacks and waterbottles! This will save you some money. Crackers, peanuts, gum, chips, little cookies, and two or three waterbottles, or a refillable water bottle!

Now, go enjoy orientation. Meet new people and maybe get their instagrams and snapchats. You will learn so much about the campus and the available opportunities you will have when you start school. Take this time with your parents (or whoever you decide to bring, friends, aunts, uncles, anyone) to really learn about where you will soon live. Take advantage of the opportunities they have at orientation like opening a bank account, getting the student ID, signing up for classes, signing up for a meal plan, and just learning your way around. College doesn't have to be intimidating; go out there and explore the world. And as always, be Valiantly You.