Source: http://ow.ly/RAQW9
Each year, every student affairs professional has key events that he or she looks forward to during the year. For many it is graduation, for others it’s various award ceremonies, and for some it’s orientation. But as well all know, once these various events end, we are charged with keeping the spirit alive for our students on campus. This is especially true for those that lead orientation or welcome week activities at their institution.
The energy that comes with new student orientation and/or welcome week is natural. Students are excited. They are happy to be on campus and take part in all the activities that are a part of the program. The collegiate journey begins with orientation and leads into welcome week, but how do most institutions sustain this energy especially those that are not residential or those that start in different academic semesters? What are the specific activities these institutions provide to their students in order to provide the same type of feeling that four year institutions provide during orientation and/or welcome week?
Either way, August and September come in and leave like a whirlwind, and when it’s over, we all pause (even for a second) and take a breather. We congratulate ourselves on getting students welcomed and settled and it feels amazing once again. But of course, for new students, what feels like an end for us is just the shiny and maybe scary beginning. So this month, we want to explore what different institutions do to keep the enthusiasm and support for new students alive.
What are the different types of activities you provide for first year students specifically to help them adjust? Are there different initiatives you provide for 2nd year, 3rdyear or 4th year students? We look forward to sharing stories from various #SApros at 2 year, 4 year, public, and private institutions! So sit back, take a breath and read about how we keep our students engaged after orientation and welcome week are over
