#orientation2015

Now that I am a jaded 4th year looking back on my first year orientation with great nostalgia, I wanted to offer some tips for moving in and attending orientation events that I wish I had know. These are my opinions only, not the school’s.

-Try to pack your stuff in as few boxes/tubs/suitcases as possible. It’s a lot easier to carry boxes instead of individual or odd shaped items.

-Contact your roommates before hand just to say hi and see what they’re bringing.

-All those last minute things you think you need at Bed Bath and Beyond you really don’t. All of that extra crap they market toward college students is useless and I ended up giving most of it away. Wait until you see your room and meet your roommates before you buy things like desk lamps, rugs, white boards because you may not have space or your roommate might already have them.

-If you want to ship anything to yourself at NCF, the mailroom will hold it for you until you arrive. If you don’t know your box number they will figure it out.

Your Name, Box ###, 5800 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, FL 34243

-Bed Bath and Beyond, Target, Walmart, Home Depot, Publix, Marshall’s and Walgreens are right up University Parkway. Send a parent to get stuff while you’re busy unpacking. 

-Don’t park on the grass don’t park on the grass don’t park on the grass. You will be ticketed. Try to get a parking pass ASAP if you have a car. NCF police might be lenient for the first week, but don’t risk it.

-Things I wish I had brought day 1 that you might need too:

-Ethernet cable: sometimes the wifi goes out

-Command strips

-Surge protector

-Broom and dustpan

-Dish drying rack, dish soap, and sponge

-Weekly planner

-Key ring/lanyard/chain for your room key

-Shower current (translation: shower curtain) 

-Upper years will most likely have fridges, microwaves, coffee makers, and other appliances they’re willing to sell you. Look for [forum] posts selling appliances or post your own [buying] thread. 

-Catherine Wooster is the [forum] moderator. Email her if you want to be removed from the [forum] or if you need help figuring out the [forum].

-You can find anyone’s NCF email by typing their name into the to: bar. This feature does not work on mobile. 

-Arrive at check in super duper early. Even though check in is from 9-12, the line to turn in paperwork and get your ID will be miles long if you get there at 9:05. 

-You only get one free ID for your entire time at NCF, so take a good picture and try not to lose it on day 1. 

-It will be hot and humid as all hell and it could rain, so wear comfortable shoes, clothes, etc. and be sure to bring a rain jacket or umbrella just in case. It might be a good idea to have a tarp to cover your stuff while you’re moving in if it rains. 

-Listen to the RAs and OLs...they know what’s going on.

-People often go wild the first few days of orientation. Don’t be scared like I was that NCF is a wild party school and ask your parents to transfer after day 1. As soon as the upper years arrive and classes start, things will calm down.

-There are a lot lot lot of orientation events (administrative and social). Go to the mandatory ones and any that you think might answer important questions. If you feel the need skip some events for whatever reason, make sure you get the info from someone later. Don’t go to events that you think might make you very uncomfortable. 

-Go to mini classes go to mini classes go to mini classes go to mini classes 

-Try to get your textbooks before classes start. Often upper years will sell textbooks on the [forum] for cheap. The campus bookstore has the highest prices, so use this as a last resort. 

-The BBQ at the bay is awesome. The food is amazing. Go to it. 

-Go to Club Fair. Sign up for the Bull Sharks Dive Club

-Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Look through newcollegeadmissions to answer your questions and ask for specific help, particularly with academic/administrative procedures.