6 Steps to Surviving Your University Orientation

You got into university… CONGRATS!

Since you accepted your offer you’ve probably received a ton of emails, most of them about O-Week.

O-Week is the official start of the university semester and hosts a range of activities to help introduce new students to uni life.

We’ve created a step-by-step plan to help you navigate your way through the madness of O-Week and ensure you get the most out of the exciting week-long event.

Step 1: Plan, Plan, Plan

There’s going to be hundreds of different people trying to get your attention during O-Week.
It’s easy to fall victim and be lured in with colourful brochures and freebies, but you’ll end up missing crucial displays.
We suggest utilising that new packet of unopened highlighters and pre-planning all of the booths you want to visit.
Check your university’s website for a downloadable copy of the O-Week schedule and then prioritise your time.

Step 2: Step Out of Your Comfort Zone

Use O-Week as an opportunity to meet the people you’ll spend the next three to five years with.
Remember, everyone will be just as nervous as you are! Most people won’t know anyone else in their course, so plenty of them will be looking to meet new friends.
Create connections with 2-3 people in your course and organise to meet up in the first week. Connect with your new friends on social media and start a group chat.
Chances are you all have the same nervous questions about starting university, but at least now you can try to find the answers together.

Step 3: Take Advantage

Make an effort to visit as many activities and stalls as you can.
They all present opportunity.  O-Week is a great chance for you to discover new hobbies, collect information about your course and find out about scholarships you may be eligible for.
Get all your questions answered!

Step 4: Learn

University is not like school.
A teacher won’t be there to hold your hand. Your professors and tutors might not even check (or care) whether you attend your classes, especially lectures.  O-Week is the time to plan your attack. Learn how to navigate your way around campus, how to pay for parking, where the best food outlets are and how to access the library’s resources.

Step 5: JOIN A CLUB!

With clubs and societies ranging from Economics to Quidditch you are bound to find something you’re interested in. Why not try something you’ve never experienced?
Not only are clubs a great way to meet new and like-minded people, but your involvement in extra-curricular activities will boost your chances of scoring a job after you graduate.
Another advantage is that they are no-strings attached. You aren’t signing your life away when you give your email address to join, so if you decide later that it’s not for you, you can simply opt-out.

Step 6: Enjoy yourself!

O-Week is just the very start of a long, but exciting journey. So, get to know your new home!
Whilst you’ll be busy with a range of compulsory academic and information sessions, make sure you take the time to explore the campus with your new friends.
Find your favourite spots and get ready to spend a lot of time there over the next few years.

O-Week will be a mix of excitement and nerves but follow these steps and we’re sure it will be a week you never forget!