Five Things Every Orientation Leader Experiences

Being an Orientation Leader opens you up to a crazy world of new faces and school traditions.

Within my two summers as an Orientation Peer Advisor and two springs attending NODA (a conference for Orientation Leaders,) I have realized that every university is unique. Every “OPA Summer” is unique and every program is unique but some things transcend everything.

1. You have your elevator speech memorized, and perfected to the point it should be Oscar nominated.

Hi! My name’s Kaitlin Smith. I’m a Junior Media and Communications Major with an American Studies Minor. I am from Cecil County Maryland and am a first generation college student. I’m obsessed with the Maryland flag and I’m involved in a few things on campus including, a long list of activities to make myself seem cooler than I am.

2. There are always nervous students, but nine times out of 10 a mother is more nervous than her student.

Then, you have to tell her at check-in that she is going to be separated from her student all day.

3. When you’re up on stage in front of 300 random people and all you have is each other.

Then, if it wasn’t awkward enough, you have to sing, make a fool of yourself and not trip across that stage all at the same time.

4. You are obsessed with everyone you work with.

As if it weren’t enough that we spend 12 hours out of the day working together, as soon as we all get back to our apartments (which we live in together,) we have to plan what are doing for dinner together or watching on TV together.

5. But we can’t forget about the most important thing, the students.

When they succeed, you succeed; especially when you see them make their first friend, get their schedules and even reunite with their parents during the day. But the best part is when you see them during the school year, with a smile on their face, wearing school gear, walking to class and having fun.