At college orientation, incoming students get their first true glimpse of what their life is going to be like at their new home away from home. Welcome them with open arms and get the fun started with these ideas for running a successful orientation program!
Activities for the Entire Crowd
Start with the most important and beneficial information to share with all students and parents. This way, they'll both share in the excitement of being a new student!
- A Peek at Campus Life - Start your program off with a skit performed by the student leaders to give students a glimpse into what they can expect to experience on campus. SNL-style skits are a popular method, including as much humor as possible!
- Nutrition and Exercise - Educate and inform incoming students about all the ways to stay healthy at their new university. While a change in lifestyle can be overwhelming, it is important to know how to eat right and stay fit.
- Spare a Second for Service - Take advantage of the many sets of hands that are present at orientation, and put them to work for a good cause. Check out these volunteer opportunities and ideas for plenty of ways to help the community.
- A Lesson on Studying - College can be a big change from what students experienced in high school. From study tips to academic resources, provide information about how to prevent the books from piling up.
- Talent Show for Strangers - Encourage students to go up on stage and let loose by showing off an on-the-fly talent in front of their peers. Some may be a little hesitant, but that's nothing a gift card to the student stores or a nearby restaurant can't fix!
- Campus Traditions - Teach the newbies some of the campus traditions and songs so they have their wits about them the first time they experience the entire student body breaking out in chants and singing the alma mater.
- Risky Business - As fun as college may sound, there are some concerns when students might have a little too much fun. Make sure to present possible scenarios and campus resources like safe walk or blue light emergency phone locations to make sure students stay safe on campus.
