How to Make University Orientation a Fun Activity

The new student orientation program can be challenging as it is the first chance to engage new students from diverse culture and expectations. If you are able to execute the orientation function in an effective manner, then the results of your efforts are rewarded.
Here are some interesting suggestions which can make your university orientation a full-time fun activity:

• Involve Social Media: 

This orientation is all about welcoming a big batch of incoming students together at one platform. Social activities at orientation encourage incoming students to interact with current students. Such interactions act as an ‘icebreakers’ for new students. They can talk to orientation leaders, student panels or meet with members of social clubs and societies. For instance, orientation leaders can share their first-day college or university experience candidly to ease the nerves of new students. Another idea is to introduce all university clubs and societies in an ‘involvement fair’ featuring their activities so that students can seek interests. This is also an interesting time to connect participants with their fellow peers so that you can ask them different questions.  
Bonds developed during orientation can help students survive the first few days at university, till they figure everything out and meet new people. If they move around on their own, they are more likely to ‘miss out’ all the fun time moments. 

   

• Building Community through New Partnerships: 

An important aspect of new student orientation is to welcome fresh participants welcome into their community. This means making students excited about the campus and participating in university traditions. A university photographer can take photos of students with colorful mascots and decorative backgrounds with their new friends. You can post these photos on the university’s social media account. It is a great way to encourage students to join the campus’s social media platforms and make them ‘feel at home.’ 
Nowadays, prominent food chains also set up their stalls which offer delicious cuisines for students and their families to make their day memorable. Special food packs and dinner preparations are also done on the occasion which reflects the loud chatter, friendly laughter and amazing food offered at the institution’s cafeteria.

• Providing a Supportive Environment:  

An important responsibility for the new student orientation day is to make students and their families comfortable and make them feel like they are being supported. This is the time when the university has set up various ‘help desk’ stalls to provide simple and efficient procedures related to course schedules or direct them to their advisor.  Another way to make their day more relaxing is to give new students access to their financial aid counselor alongside the course they want as families are always anxious about paying for university and need some reassurances during orientation.
The new student orientation is one of the most important areas in student affairs which brings all the academic departments together and makes them feel valued and supported.