Finally, a summer full of goodbyes, shopping for dorm room essentials, and anticipation is coming to an end. College orientation is an exciting initiation into freshman year and an opportunity to learn about extracurricular activities, make friends, and get acclimated to your new surroundings.
While it may span just a few days or a week in total, college orientation is packed with information and experiences that can set you up for success over the next four years.
Planning ahead and diving into the details of the orientation schedule is just one of many ways to prepare for college. Although every school operates differently, here are some key college orientation tips and things to expect when you arrive on campus.
When Does Orientation Take Place?
Some college orientations happen in the middle of summer, while others take place right before the beginning of the semester. The earlier variety is typically conducted in smaller groups and may be organized separately for specific programs or majors.
Midsummer orientations often give students the opportunity to stay in the dorms ahead of moving to campus. This can be a useful test run to get acquainted with the dorm life and mingle with fellow incoming students.
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What Is an Orientation Schedule Like?
Once the college orientation schedule is available, look out for which parts are mandatory, such as taking a student ID photo and registering for classes, and any optional social, extracurricular, and informational activities that sound interesting or helpful.
College orientation is a time to make friends and get acquainted with college life, but knowing where the dining hall, laundry room, student transportation, and other services are located also comes in handy.
Having a game plan for the orientation schedule will give you an opportunity to invite new acquaintances to attend an event or activity together. At the same time, allowing yourself to go with the flow a bit might alleviate some of the stress.
Compared to a strictly regulated high school schedule, college students are given much more discretion in making decisions for themselves. While this newfound freedom can be liberating, it can present challenges for balancing academic responsibilities with the fun, social aspects of college.
Orientation is a chance to get acclimated before the pressure of staying on top of schoolwork arises.
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What Happens at Orientation?
The full scope of college orientation will vary by institution. However, there will likely be a mix of instructional and social activities to round out each day. Some topics that are typically covered include:
• School rules, policies, and code of conduct
• Meetings with an academic or department advisor
• Guided tour of campus
• Skits and role-play activities
• Ice breakers with a residential advisor and dorm floormates
While some sessions may feel tedious, making a good first impression on a residential advisor, professor, and peers can be invaluable.
Learning About Extracurricular Activities and Campus Life
College orientation usually includes a range of informational and fun activities to introduce students to campus activities. Many student clubs and organizations have tables at orientation or early in the semester to meet and attract incoming students.
Depending on school size and culture, the number of offerings and niches can be vast compared to high school, including intramural sports, Greek life, theater troupes, and culture clubs.
Learning the Lay of the Land
After the guided tour, you may want to spend some time going over (and memorizing) how to get to the dining hall, student center, and your classrooms — this can save you lots of time and potential embarrassment from being late on the first day of classes. Classrooms may be organized by department in different buildings across campus.
During college orientation, you may also be able to join group outings to explore your college town or sign up for guided shopping trips to pick up groceries, cleaning supplies, and other dorm essentials.
Moving Into the Dorms
At colleges that hold orientation directly before the beginning of the semester, you may be able to sign up in advance for a block of time to park and transport your belongings into your dorm room.
With many students and families arriving on the same day, the scene can be a bit of a frenzy. Keep an eye out for registration emails prior to orientation to snag a good move-in time.
Mid to late morning is often a safe bet to get ahead of the crowds and summer heat. Also, packing efficiently can save time and stress on move-in day.
Beyond studying and sleeping, dorms are a social hive for freshmen students. A helpful college orientation tip: Setting up a welcoming, furnished dorm room is a great way to prepare for movie nights and parties with newfound friends.
Recommended: College Freshman Checklist for the Upcoming School Year
Downtime for Socializing
The orientation schedule tends to wind down in the afternoon and early evening, allowing students plenty of time to hang out and get to know each other. Keeping that in mind may help you resist the urge to skip important orientation sessions to meet up with new roommates and friends.
What About Parents and Family?
While starting college is an exciting time, it can also feel bittersweet for students, parents, and other family members. To honor the occasion, many colleges incorporate group activities, lunches, and festivities for students and families to partake in together during the first day or two of orientation.
Before saying goodbyes, parents and family members may be able to join a separate orientation to prepare them for the transition. Usually, these sessions are intended to provide guidance to support students and offer insight into their child’s life at college.
They are also an opportunity for families to meet other families, as well as learn about resources and noteworthy events, such as family weekend and homecoming.
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Paying for College
College orientations may also offer sessions about navigating the financial aid system. Tuition, books, and other educational costs aren’t cheap, and everyone’s financial situation is different.
Financial aid sessions may cover aid distribution dates, when tuition is due, how to pay tuition, and how to add money to student accounts for incidentals. Parents and students may want to attend this session together to ask questions that come up during the discussion.
Fortunately, there are a variety of ways to pay for higher education. In addition to saving for college ahead of time, there are several options to consider when creating a plan.
Scholarships
Scholarships are awarded to students by community organizations, private foundations, nonprofits, colleges, and other groups. The criteria for earning a scholarship varies, though many focus on academic achievement, financial need, or program of study.
According to Sallie Mae’s “How Americans Pay for College” 2023 report, approximately 61% of college students received scholarship money during the 2022-2023 academic year.
Many scholarship applications open before college starts, though there may be additional opportunities once college begins. Researching scholarships in your hometown and college is a great place to start.
Online resources, such as collegeboard.org and SoFi’s Scholarship Search Tool, keep an updated list of scholarships as well. Applying early for scholarships may be an advantage, as some large awards may have early deadlines. For instance, some scholarships stop accepting applications during the fall for distribution the next school year.
Grants
Like scholarships, grants are financial awards given to students to pay for their education — they do not have to be repaid. The main difference is that grants are usually based on need instead of academic merit. By completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you can find out what aid you are eligible for, including the federal Pell Grant Program or state-wide grant opportunities.
Work-Study
Many college students pick up a part-time job to help pay tuition and living expenses. One way to secure work is through Federal Work-Study , a program that employs qualified college and graduate students in on- or off-campus jobs. Pay varies, but participants will earn at least minimum wage.
Work-study eligibility is based on several factors, including family income and enrollment status, and is offered as part of a student’s financial aid package.
A job is not guaranteed even if work-study is awarded. Early application is key because a school’s program funds may be limited and jobs are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Student Loans
Whether or not you receive a scholarship, grant, or work-study, there are several student loan options you might want to consider applying for.
Federal student loans, which are either subsidized or unsubsidized, are offered as part of a student’s financial aid package. If you qualify for a subsidized student loan (which is based on need), interest won’t begin to accrue until six months after you graduate. With an unsubsidized federal student loan, interest begins to accrue right away (though you can defer making any payments until six months after you graduate). Interest rates on federal student loans are fixed; for the 2023-2024 academic year, the rate for a subsidized or unsubsidized federal loan is 5.50%.
Private student loans from banks, credit unions, and online lenders may help fill any remaining gaps in paying for college. These loans are not subsidized or need-based, and their interest rates may be fixed or variable.
To apply for a private student loan, you generally fill out a loan application either alone or with a cosigner. Rates vary depending on the lender but borrowers with excellent credit typically qualify for the lowest rates.
Just keep in mind that private student loans may not offer borrower protections, such as deferment and income-driven repayment plans, that come with federal student loans.
If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.
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Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs.
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