10 Tips to Make the Most of Your Orientation Experience

1. Embrace the cheese

From icebreakers during small group to orientation advisor skits, New Student Orientation is certainly a cheesy experience, with many different moments that you may be tempted to roll your eyes at. In order to get the full Orientation experience, you must embrace the cheese and you will brie sure to have a grate time.

2. Talk to different organizations and departments on campus

Once first-year students have checked into their Orientation session, they can stop by the campus services fair. Here, students and families have the opportunity to speak one-on-one with different departments and organizations and learn about all of the amazing resources that Binghamton University has to offer.

3. Bring questions

Orientation is the perfect time to get answers to your pressing questions! Following each presentation, students and family members have the opportunity to ask questions of representatives from campus offices and organizations. Small group sessions are also a great time to ask questions—Orientation Advisors are prepared and excited to assist students in any way possible.

4. Take notes

Each student is provided a note sheet in the left pocket of their Orientation folder. We recommend jotting down important and relevant information during presentations, particularly during academic advising sessions.

5. Be open to meeting new people

Each student will be automatically placed in a small group, led by an Orientation Advisor, with other peers. The small group session gives students an opportunity to connect one on one with other students ready to begin their Binghamton experience. Be open to conversation and connection!

6. Wear comfortable clothes & check the weather (lots of walking, scavenger hunt, etc.)

Wearing comfortable clothes is a must for Orientation, as students and families will be walking between various locations on campus, and have the additional opportunity to attend campus tours. Orientation is a rain-or-shine event, so make sure to check the weather prior to your arrival and prepare accordingly.

7. Check Out Late Nite

Late Nite occurs from 8:30-10 p.m. on the first day of first-year Orientation and provides students an opportunity to get a taste of the Late Nite events that will take place during the academic year. At Orientation, students will be able to eat pizza, play video games, bingo, and more with their new friends. During the school year, Late Nite shows new release films on Friday nights and has carnival-style large events on Saturdays—all free for students!

8. Be on time

Perhaps the most important way to ensure that your Orientation experience is meaningful is to show up on time! We recommend that students and families arrive around 8:30 a.m. so that they have plenty of time to park, check in and enjoy the campus services fair.

9. Live in the moment

It can be easy to get distracted during Orientation and become overwhelmed, losing sight of the sessions you are in. However, it is beneficial to take each session one at a time and be both physically and mentally present for each activity at Orientation so that you glean as much information as possible.

10. Take a deep breath

Orientation is not a stressful experience; it is informative, exciting and fun! Beginning your Binghamton experience may feel daunting, but keep in mind that all students attending your session are in the same boat—new to the school and welcomed by all of us at Binghamton Orientation!

Mel Carousso is a senior psychology major, minoring in education and writing, and a member of the swim team.

Eli Engler is a junior majoring in chemistry, minoring in education, and a member of the Binghamton Scholars Program.