Unlocking RIT Orientation: Fun, Friends, and First-Year Wins

Soon enough, you will probably be heading to Rochester, perhaps for the first time, for orientation week! I’m sure you have lots of mixed emotions about leaving home and living on your own, probably for the first time. But don’t worry I’m here to help! I reflected on my first week in Rochester through memories and photos, and here are some tips I hope ease your nerves as you transition to life as a university student.

1. Put yourself outside of your comfort zone

The one thing I tell everyone I know who’s going into freshman year is to put yourself outside of your comfort zone. One thing I struggled with initially is going up to others and starting that always awkward first conversation. Once you get past their name and major, what do you talk about next? My best advice is just to stay in the moment and not try to script it out.  However, if you’re stuck, you and your new friend have one big thing in common (at least): you’re both going to college at RIT for the first time! While I emphasize talking to as many people as you can (within reason), you also might not meet your best friend in the first week, and that’s ok! It’s also super important to be able to talk to them again if you’re not in their orientation group, so using Instagram or your phone number is a great way to be able to stay in touch.

2. Say yes

Once you make your first friends (and you will!), when they ask you to do anything (again, within reason), even if you don’t really want to - say YES! More times than not, you’ll end up loving that you went. But also, don’t be afraid to ask people to do stuff with you because I can almost guarantee they’re looking for things to do and friends to make too. You never know where one of these adventures might lead you. For me, it was rock climbing at Red Barn to finding my new go-to coffee shop.

3. Walk your class schedule before the first day

RIT is not a small campus by any means. Finding the buildings and then the right classroom inside can feel impossible the first couple of times. I highly recommend grabbing a friend and exploring the buildings. The first day of college will already be stressful enough, and this way, you have one thing lifted off your shoulders. It is also a good way to find study spots for the next 4 or 5 years. If you can, I also recommend that you walk your daily routes, going from class to class as you would throughout the semester. Finally, put all your classes’ times and locations into a calendar so you don’t have to worry about keeping up with your schedule in your head. 
 
You’re going to have so much fun not just during the first week here but during your time as a whole at RIT! Remember to stay in the moment and don’t let it pass you by.