By Tom and Jerry Caraccioli
A year ago, you made it through the college application process. It was a grind. The anticipation of whether you got in or not subsided months ago as you finished your high school career.
Now a different kind of anticipation is setting in as you begin what will hopefully be a life-changing experience — college.
It’s late August, one week before classes begin. You are here for new student orientation and the start of your adventure at SUNY Oswego. It’s only been a few hours since you arrived, found your dorm, unloaded the car, met your roommate, unpacked and said good bye to your family. You have your class schedule. You kind of know where some things are. But for the most part, you’re not quite sure how it all works. You have a lot of questions.
Where the heck is the dining hall? How do I get from my dorm to Lanigan 102 for my lecture? Where is WTOP to get involved in campus media? And, where is the Student Engagement and Leadership Office because you heard they have lots of information on how to get involved in college life?
As a new Laker, students will learn about Oswego traditions (where the hockey rink is and all about White Out weekend, to name one), connect to campus advisers and offices, take a tour of the campus — with a different set of eyes versus the ones you had when you first visited campus last fall and winter — and participated in activities that will acclimate you into college life.
“A lot of orientation is providing information that we feel is relevant to their success,” Director of Student Orientation and Family Engagement Justin Dickerson said. “Some of these students have never even been to the campus. We want students to come see the campus, where the buildings are and their classes will be held. We want them to start seeing themselves as a Laker.”
While formal orientation lasts a week, a more informal orientation to college life will occur throughout the first semester. Students will have plenty of support from current students, faculty and alumni who will welcome them as part of the Oswego family. They will grow to understand the years they spend at SUNY Oswego, the experiences they have, the opportunities they get in the classroom and beyond, and the people they will meet, really will become a family experience they will never forget.
“So many students come to orientation thinking it’s intimidating while focusing on the unfamiliar,” Dickerson said. “Orientation is one of the first moments in the next chapter of students’ lives.”
Tom and Jerry Caraccioli are freelance writers originally from Oswego, who have co-authored three books: “STRIKING SILVER: The Untold Story of America’s Forgotten Hockey Team,” “BOYCOTT: Stolen Dreams of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games” and “Ice Breakers.”
