Parent’s Guide to Freshman Orientation: Everything You Need to Know

The college or university your child chooses to attend will play a big part in not just their lives, but the lives of their entire family. And it will do so for the next four years. Freshman orientation and other college orientations help students and parents transition to the new environment by familiarizing themselves with the campus, experiencing the school’s culture, and gaining a more accurate picture of what dorm life will be like while your child attends classes.

Joining the college community is crucial as it helps students feel at home and get acquainted with the campus and necessary information for a positive start. You’ll have a chance to learn the rules and policies that will govern much of your child’s life as well as see how they will be living, especially if they are going to be staying on campus. Additionally, details regarding the fall academic calendar will be available, giving you a chance to plan if your child will be returning home for breaks.

Another benefit freshman orientation offers parents is the chance to meet other parents who are standing in the exact same place as you. This can help build a sense of comradery, letting you know you aren’t the only one concerned about what your child’s experience will be like.

To make sure you are comfortable during the orientation, make sure to dress appropriately. You’ll likely spend a significant amount of time on your feet touring the campus, certain facilities, and even the surrounding area to attend orientation, so choose shoes and clothes that will work during a relatively active day. Since a good part of the campus tour will be outside, you also need to consider the weather when you pick your attire.

You may also want to bring beverages and snacks along, especially if the process will take up the majority of the day or longer. While meal breaks will be part of the schedule, you don’t want to be stuck without something to eat or drink and end up distracted during the orientation.

If your child must present certain documents during the orientation, then it is best to discuss who will be responsible for them during the orientation. While it can be a great learning experience to have your student manage this task, it is also prudent to make sure they have everything ready before you head out for their freshman orientation, especially if the school they attend isn’t local.

Your student’s freshman orientation session will include a variety of sessions as well as tours of the most important buildings on campus. Typical sessions include the history of the institution, an introduction to key administrators and faculty members, discussions on school policies, as well as overviews on financial aid. Orientation is especially important for new students as it helps them transition to their new school environment.

Many of the sessions give parents, students, and college administrators a chance to ask questions if certain pieces of information aren’t covered during the presentations. Some potential questions to keep in mind include: What types of transportation are available?

During the freshman orientation process, it is also common for certain details to be finalized during the process, such as your child’s class schedule and dorm assignment. When these activities are taking place, it is important to take a position as an observer in many of these instances. Many parents find it tempting to interject in certain areas, but it is important to remember that your child will be making many of these choices on their own in the very near future. However, don’t be afraid to be available, as your student may want your input, especially as they work through the process for the first time. An academic advisor can assist students in putting together their class schedule, helping them explore different classes and use elective courses to try unfamiliar topics.

In some cases, colleges and universities actually separate you from your child, sending them along one path and sending parents down another. In this case, you may not be present while they select their schedule so you may want to talk it through with your child before attending orientation. Orientation groups formed during these programs help students connect with each other through shared experiences and activities.

Some topics to sort out regarding schedule:

• Early or late classes?
• Batch them together or spread them out?
• Are you going to study abroad? If so, they can save “easy” class requirements for that semester.
• How many classes can they handle while still meeting the requirements to be a full-time student?

Orientation programs play a crucial role in easing the nervousness of students and parents, providing necessary information, and introducing students to campus support systems. These programs ultimately lead to greater student retention and academic success.

If the orientation involves an overnight stay, students may have a chance to spend the night in the dorms, especially if they expect they will eventually be living on campus. While you may prefer your child stay with you, it is actually a good idea to let them have this experience on their own. During the orientation program, students should also find out where the student health center is located, along with other important locations on campus.

Consider getting a room at a nearby hotel, so you can be reached if necessary, but, otherwise, let them spread their wings and take this test flight solo. It can give them a chance to socialize with other students from their freshman class without the pressure of a parent being one step away. Then, get together for breakfast the next morning and have them tell you all about their experience.

Yes, your child going to college is a big change for you, but the experience is really all about them. Orientation helps students get familiar with their new school, scheduling classes, and meeting classmates. They are going to be nervous and excited, often at the same time. This is the first step in their journey to adulthood, so do your best to be supportive and available, but give them a chance to grow, explore, and learn in a way that will make them comfortable.

Get the information you need to feel good about how their first year as a college student will go, and don’t be afraid to gather some emergency contact information and information about campus safety. Then, just sit back and smile. Your child is going to college, and that is an amazing moment in a parent’s life. Relish in the joy. You both earned it.

We mentioned financial aid questions. While the college or university may not have more to offer at this point, there are scholarships deadlines as late as July for that fall semester. So once orientation is over, have your child kick it into high gear on those scholarship applications!