UT Orientation Leader 2014!!!

     It's that time of the year again!! Orientation season is upon us! Orientation is part of the new student program here at The University of Texas at Tyler. It helps incoming freshman transition to college. It also provides a different experience as they participate in a different program that exposes the campus and its resources to them. I can't wait for the sessions to start!

The last freshman orientation for the summer

            The last freshman orientation was August 21 and 22! This was my final orientation as an orientation leader for the summer. This opportunity to help new students has been very rewarding.

            Being an orientation leader has helped me feel a sense of responsibility, as I have been responsible for providing a welcoming experience to upcoming freshmen. Not only do you get leadership experience, but you also get a sense of community as you become friends with new students.

            This has been the best job I’ve ever applied for.

Orientation leaders 2013

            I have made really close friends with my fellow orientation leaders, so it is the best environment possible. I thought this summer was going to be uneventful like my previous years, but I was pleasantly surprised that it has been a really good one.

            This experience is different as there were some tests that truly bring who you are as a person into perspective. I have found out new things about my personality that I didn’t know in the past. I have been able to come forward with leadership qualities that were hidden or untested.

            I’ve gotten to share great memories with new people, and not having to sit around the house has been great!

            I have been responsible for providing the best transition for 50 freshmen. This is a big deal because freshman year can be very intimidating. These new students that have been in my group have showed me a sense of diversity. These guys and girls are great people and I hope I can be a friend to all of them.

            There is one thing that is difficult when you face something new. That is the ability to cope with a new environment. Nothing is more different or fresh than college. Going through my freshman year, I wish I had someone the first few days to show me around the ropes of my transition, so I hope to act as this role to anyone who needs it.

            If circumstances allow me to, I would love to be an orientation leader next year.

            If any of you feel that this job is something that appeals to you, feel free to become an orientation leader next summer. The application process starts around the beginning of the spring semester. Click here to go to the orientation website.

            Check out my other blog about what freshman orientation is like.

            You can also follow the Orientation Facebook page!

First transfer orientation was Friday, May 31!

The transition has started. There are those who come from a community college and begin to transfer to a four year university. Some may even just transfer from some other university. Of course, they will most likely choose The University of Texas at Tyler because this campus is the best.

I myself was a transfer student when I arrived this past fall 2012. I transitioned from a community college. It was a big change. There are more people, more organizations, and just plain beauty such as the on campus lakes providing an outdoor ambiance when you sit at the UC Patio.

Coming to UT Tyler was the best choice I could think of. It is located in a great community, the campus is clean, and the people genuinely want to learn and get a degree.

This was the first orientation of the summer, and it was my first orientation that I helped in. I am an Orientation Leader this summer at UT Tyler. I will be aiding freshman and transfer students in getting acquainted with our campus. 

I started with checking-in students and guests

The weather was not as hot as I thought it would be, so the tours were favorable. I got to check in students and their guests as they came into the University Center.  I felt sort of official that day!

Transfer orientation is just letting transfer students see the campus as they arrive the following semester. They get to meet with their colleges and get informed on what their majors are about. They get to see different organizations and services that our campus provides.

This was a great start to the orientations as it allowed me to experience what it would be like to help future students in their transition to our campus!

If any of you will be attending orientation this summer, keep a look out for my name on my name tag!

If you all need to register for orientation or find out more information about it, go to http://www.uttyler.edu/orientation/

UT Tyler Orientation Leader Retreat

5 Things an OL should NEVER forget

After hours of sleep deprivation, learning every fact about The University of Texas at Tyler, and competing in extremely competitive endurance challenges I survived my first Orientation Leader Retreat. I learned so many different things this past weekend and I wanted to share my experience with the things that really stuck out to me.

1. Drink lots of coffee/always have caffeine on hand.

By being an Orientation Leader, you're going to be exhausted waking up in the wee early hours in the morning so remember to drink some sort of caffeine to make sure you're wide awake when you first meet your freshmen that are assigned to your group.

2. Remember it's not about you, it's about them!

The whole reason for being an OL is to really portray how awesome our school is and how hyped we are about the incoming patriots!! So put their perspectives first and foremost before your own because you will have a huge impact on how they view The University of Texas at Tyler and their decision in choosing the school.