You’re finally done! You’ve walked across the stage, received your high school diploma and you’re ready for the next chapter in your life. To prepare for college, you’ve visited the campus, taken a tour and listened to the recruiters talk about all the amazing opportunities your university has to offer. What more is there to do but pack your bags and hit the road?
Well hold on. There is one more important step you need to take, and that’s orientation. New Student Orientation is an incredible opportunity for you to meet other students, become familiar with campus services and get a feel for your new home. Starting college is more than just taking classes (although don't get us wrong, that's a big part!). It's also joining a community, and college orientation is the best way to fully prepare yourself to become part of this community.
But you don’t have to take our word for it. We asked some of our former orientation leaders what their advice was for new students. These students have been where you are now, experiencing the anxiety of starting school, worried about fitting in and finding their way, and they offered some tips to help you navigate orientation.
Be open-minded
The number one piece of advice our orientation leaders offered was to go to orientation with an open mind. You have no idea what you don’t know, so show up ready to learn. You'll have a chance to learn from both peer orientation leaders as well as meet with campus experts and advisors who can answer questions ranging from the best places to eat on campus to which classes to take and everything in between.
Can't be there in person? Connect online
What about online orientation? Can you become part of a community if you aren’t even there? Absolutely. Even online orientation students can make valuable connections, receive important academic advising and have opportunities to ask any questions you have before heading to campus.
Online orientation will prepare you for August when you are able to be on campus, and you can be confident that you'll show up prepared and ready to start classes.
Ask questions
“Orientation is made just for you, so ask all the questions you can think of,” says Amber Robinson, a sophomore orientation leader.
Orientation is a busy time, so to make sure you don't forget any important question, make a list before you arrive. Want to know what technology you need? Ask. Interested in how to get involved in intramural sports? That’s why we're here. Orientation is your chance to learn about your college community and how to be successful!
Take advantage of small groups
During orientation, you will have several opportunities to meet with both current and new students. The current students will serve as guides to help you find your way. They can answer your specific questions about transitioning to college, the best study spots in the library or the student union, or how to connect with professors and prepare for college classes.
The new students you meet during orientation could end up being some of your best friends. Orientation leader Michael Harbert says that if you are, "confident and active with your orientation group, you will build long-lasting friendships.”
We want our students to arrive on campus prepared, and orientation is the best way to do it.
Nikole Nichols, M.Ed., works in the Office of New Student Initiatives, which coordinates programming to make sure new students at the University of Nevada, Reno succeed academically, socially and emotionally in their first year of college.
Request more info
Do you have more questions we can answer? Are you interested in receiving additional information about the University, the admissions process, applying, financial aid or more?