Orientation Helps Student Success

By: John Callahan  Jul 16, 2004

Let’s face it: Jumping into the college lifestyle can be, well, disorienting. New people… new challenges… a new environment. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

Orientation presentation
From now to August 28, UAA’s New Student Orientation program will help many incoming students cope with these uncertainties. Students who participate in orientation meet other new students, develop new friendships, learn about University life, build collegiate academic skills, and relieve common anxieties about starting college.

“Orientation is an instrumental part in the successful transition to college,” said Lora Volden, coordinator for New Student Orientation.

“On average, students who attend orientation obtain a 27 percent higher GPA (about a half a grade point higher) their first semester than students who did not. They were more likely to stay in school and graduate.

“Of the students who participated in last summer’s orientation program, 96 percent felt more prepared to start college, and 98 percent said they would recommend orientation to a friend," she added.

New Student Orientation comes in a variety of packages. Most incoming students will find one that best meets their needs. Egg Drop

Two-Day Program: Gives participants a very thorough look at life for a new student at UAA, with an option to stay overnight in an on-campus dorm room.

One-Day Program: More abbreviated than the two-day program. Some sessions are aimed at all students; others are focused on students studying in particular areas, students who come from areas outside Anchorage, graduate students, or students enrolling in (or returning to) college at a later stage of their lives.

Half-Day Program: Covers the basics in a quick afternoon or morning session.