New student orientation a rite of passage

Orientation is as much a rite of passage as it is tradition here at IU.

From walking the campus with parents in small groups to trying to find the way to the right floor in the library to sign up for classes for the first time, orientation is an experience every student goes through.

It is a chance to get to know fellow incoming freshmen as well as for students to introduce themselves to the campus on which they will spend the next few years preparing for their future.

“Hopefully orientation will give new students a taste of IU and help them get more comfortable,” Director of New Student Orientation Melanie Payne said. “We want to give them comfort and confidence. After all, it is called orientation, not just registration.”

The orientation staff has many ways of getting participants involved, and these activities can also educate students on things they could do while at IU.

One example Payne gave was students having discussions on past travel experiences, which directly leads into opportunities to travel once here at IU, such as studying abroad.

“We’re helping them to get to know each other and then relating those discussions to opportunities here at IU,” Payne said.

Orientation leaders themselves said they know how it feels to be incoming freshmen.
“I know how it feels to be scared to come to a big school and not really know what to expect or know a lot of people,” said Amanda Stahl, the student coordinator of New Student Orientation.

This summer is Stahl’s second year as an orientation leader.

Having just finished her freshman year, Claire Pileri said she was intimidated by the IU’s size after graduating from Carmel High School in Carmel, Ind. But she said she believes the orientation process is very helpful for anyone with any trepidation about the large school experience.

“Orientation just helped me feel more comfortable with the school and its size,” she said. “It also made me realize that most of the upperclassmen were very friendly and willing to answer any questions I might have.”

Overall, the orientation process is in place to give incoming students the tools and information they need to make the IU experience enjoyable and individualized, Payne said.

“Our size allows for all types of experiences,” Payne said. “It can just be so many things to so many people. You really can make it your own.”