UT Tyler Summer Transfer Orientation!

     It has begun!! Orientation season is upon us! This time it was transfer student orientation. Held today, June 4, The University of Texas at Tyler welcomed new students who are transferring from other colleges.

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!

UT Tyler Freshman Orientation

                Last week a group of students made the next step in their transition to college. Newly graduated from high school, freshman received a peek at the college life. Freshman Orientation 2013!

Passing out tea for dinner

                This too was my first freshman orientation that I worked as an Orientation Leader. I partnered with a fellow leader to provide a positive and engaging experience to a group of 12 upcoming students.

                Day 1 began as an introduction, as freshmen were assigned two orientation leaders. They got to know their orientation leaders through fun ice breakers. They received presentations on the different resources they needed. They received presentations on money management services, housing plans, dining plans, student integrity, as well as attending a fair with some of the student organizations showcasing. Stanley's BBQ catered for dinner. If you would like to know more about Stanley's check out Dallas' blog post at http://go2uttyler.blogspot.com/2013/06/stanleys-famous-pit-bar-b-q-best-bbq-in.html

                After all the informative presentations were over, the free time began. How else can freshman unload the overload of new student information? POOL PARTY! This was my personal favorite part of orientation because it allowed everybody to get to know each other by swimming, playing pool volleyball, basketball and just having a good time.

                When it was time to leave the pool, everybody headed to Ornelas Hall student dorm where everybody was checked in to spend the night earlier in the day. But it wasn’t time for bed, I mean, who would?  The excitement overcame drowsiness. Orientation leaders and new freshmen got to spend time hanging around the media room in the first floor, as well as playing ping pong, watching TV and playing video games.

Students listening to presentations

                Day 2 was filled with more important activities as students experienced a mock class with Melissa Dotson teaching like she normally would during the semester. With great feedback, students were excited about their first day of school!

                Later they got to have some time with the orientation leaders to talk about anything they needed to know, or even answer questions they could only confide in fellow peers. 

                Meet your college was next, as students got to meet their designated colleges to meet some of the faculty and staff they will encounter the rest of their academic career.         

                As things wounded down, students waved goodbye to their orientation leaders and the campus that would soon be their new home.

                Orientation is a great experience as future students are able to get immersed early to some of the amenities that our campus has to offer. If you haven’t had the chance to register for freshmen orientation go to http://www.uttyler.edu/orientation/register.php

Check out a fellow blogger's blog that has pictures of what goes on in orientation at      http://go2uttyler.blogspot.com/2012/08/its-like-university-came-back-to-life.html#more      
           

It's Like The University Came Back To Life

After spending the whole summer living on campus, when it was all quiet, empty and extremely rare to see more than 4 people in a group around campus... the past week had been very odd; school has started again and there are suddenly people EVERYWHERE.

Gone are the days I rode my longboard freely on the empty roads, empty parking lots and unoccupied campus walkways. It has only been 3 days and there is already a campus-wide uproar about the lack of parking spaces. I now have to dodge frustrated students that can't find a parking spot. (But I guess they have it worse)

On another note, it is so great to see my friends again! As well as all the excited freshmen I met during orientation this summer. To think that I was them just a year ago!

So much catching up to do with my friends and so many new friends to make!

The last week of summer has been the most busy for me. It included transfer orientation, the final orientation session, move-in day, freshmen day of service and casino night. It was all great fun, of course, and to depict it better, here's a photoblog!

For The Next Batch Of International Students

First of all, Welcome to Tyler!

Second, I know exactly how you feel.

The week before and the week of move-in day was very stressful and scary and exciting all at the same time. Especially flying from Dubai to LA to Tyler. I don't know where you'd be flying in from but still, I know how you feel. The rush of knowing everything is new and you have a completely new slate.

Here are a few pointers that I could gather from my experience last year: