<p>My S roomed with new freshmen for Orientation and they were all friendly. He had met some kids in his day sessions and everyone (!) exchanges Facebook info and cell #s. So by dinner time, they all kind of texted and FB’d and let each other know where they’d be. If you are a student who is typically a little slow to socialize (nothing wrong with that at all!), you may want to just re-invent yourself for that first day. Why not? Just smile at someone that looks like your type of person in your Orientation group (maybe 25 kids or so) and say hi. I think everyone there feels pretty open to meeting new people so it isn’t as awkward as this sounds. Most likely, others will approach you. The idea would be to get their numbers or ask if they could call you when they go to dinner. In any event, there are hundreds of kids feeling just like you so don’t worry.</p>
<p>FauxNom, I agree with your take on the TO vs. SCA “turf war”. LOL. They are only trying to help “their” students and each has so much to tell the kids they want first crack at you. My advice is to make sure you get the info from TO (which will include the class details for all the COREs. They have different themes, reading lists, and profs. The good news in TO is that the great majority of profs are phenomenal. But you may prefer the subject matter or books in one class over another. Or need a certain time of day or day of week. </p>
<p>The trick with registering for TO classes at Orientation–have all your decisions made BEFORE you show up to registration. As soon as you enter the room, there will be computers to use and those who are still juggling schedules will not be the first to get online and sign up. The system opens only a few spots in each of the TO courses each registration day in order to be fair to those with later reg dates, but that means some very popular classes get “locked out” in a short time. </p>
<p>Most TO kids are advised to take 2 TO classes first semester: CORE 102 and CORE 111-writing. As for SCA Production and Crit. Studies majors, they are encouraged to get their GEs (or TO CORE) classes out of the way as soon as they can. Like FauxNom’s S, some take 3 COREs–but that is a very very heavy load. Get ready to work hard right off the bat, but also, to be inspired and enriched and have your head explode with ideas–in a good way.</p>