Just Got Back From Freshman Orientation...

parent2noles
Fri, 26 May 2006 16:26:07 +0000

The students stay in Salley Hall on the west side of campus, across from the under-construction Psychology Building and near the College of Medicine.

The freshmen check into Salley the evening (5-7 PM) before the first day of Orientation and have planned activities to attend sans parents. Be sure to bring bedding (pillow, sheets, blanket) and personal toiletries (including soap, towel, shampoo) for them. This check-in at Salley Hall is where kids and parents recieve materials and a briefing for the next two days.

Day 1 starts at 9:00 AM in the Union Ballroom and pretty much goes to 9:00 PM that night. Lots of information sessions and walking. Kids are quickly directed into student-specific activities, and eat in separate dining facilities on campus. Very busy days, but interesting. As we are alumni, we knew most of the information, but it always helps to catch up. Kids have social activities on campus after hours.

Day 2 starts with breakfast on campus at 7:00 AM (got to get the kids up early to check out of Salley and store belongings before 7:00!). Kids then meet with their advisor and develop workable schedules (start working on this the day/night before). They then receive computer access to registration and register online.

My daughter had no problem getting the classes she wanted. Schedules can be further tweaked at home via Internet for some weeks. Honors kids have some separate social activities.

Yep - dorms are assigned next week. You receive a card in the mail giving you your dorm/room assignment and the name and contact info for your roommate.

We liked the presentation the Dean of Undergraduate Studies gave and also the one given by the Thagard Health Center Director the best. They were both funny and smart, and really know how to run things in a large university. (Be careful to pay attention during the small group presentations as they may call on you - I started to doze a bit after lunch and quickly was ‘volunteered’ to participate! Good natured, though)