Orientation week - what it’s all about?
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| image by: twitter |
Starting out in University may be
quite nerve wrecking for some students, mainly because for some it would be
their first time moving away from their protective shells known as home. Just
like in high school new university students known as ‘freshers’ have to be
introduced to the university environment in a much gentler way than what their
first class test does.
For some universities the
orientation week usually runs for a week, as the name suggests, but for other
universities the duration of the orientation may be longer. During the
orientation week students are given time to bond and get to know each other.
Some of these students will already know each other from high school or other
places, which usually makes the whole experience much easier. But for most
students it’s time to meet and get to know new people, the whole idea of
orientation week is for new students to get introduced to the university environment
all together as a group.
In most if not all universities
these so called ’freshers’ are divided according to their different faculties each
with a unique colour. Within their faculties they are divided into their
departments where they are first shown around their new campus. Each of these
departments have their own orientation leaders assigned to plan the orientation
programme as well as help out these first year students through the process.
These orientation leaders are students themselves who have been through the
process before. First, the students are given a brief introduction to the
course which they will be doing in form of 45 minute lectures. Then they are
given lectures on safety and certain rules of the university. For fun students
are separated into groups where they are given challenges to partake in. They
are also allowed to join societies within the university.
At the end of the orientation week there is
usually a braai for the freshers where they get to know their newly met friends
better. There are usually lots of other events that students can partake in
during orientation week but they are usually organised and hosted by the
student societies that the freshers are advised to join. These events are
usually held outside the vicinity of the university these events are usually
parties, fun walks, hikes etc.
In conclusion, orientation week
is aimed at introducing students to the university environment.
We hope you have an exciting orientation and
university experience! stay tuned for more articles.
