By From the Editors
Orientation, for many incoming freshmen, is the first real taste of living on your own, away from the clutches and confines of parents. It is not only a time to become acquainted with your new home for the next four years, but also to decide who you plan to be during this time.
By the end of these three days, you are likely to find two groups of students: those so eager to be on their own they want to remain on campus until classes start in the fall and others who find the University so intimidating they want to crawl into their beds and wait for the next four years to fly by.
Like letting dogs off their leashes, the first group tends to abandon all social and moral guidelines instilled and reinforced by their parents throughout their childhoods. While the University makes it very clear there is no alcohol at orientation and leaving campus is strictly prohibited, these rebellious students tend to ignore their new leaders and explore the drinking haven that is Hempstead Turnpike. Being stuck on campus in the middle of summer listening to lectures on the rules and regulations of the University may seem like a waste of time, take advantage of the experience. You will regret not listening to the guidelines when you are slapped with a summons for underage drinking.
The second group, those too shy and awkward to make new friends, will hate every second of orientation. Unfamiliar with students openly smoking and drinking, they will cower in the corner of Hofstra USA as the DJ teaches these fresh minds their first lesson: the sex dance.
If by the end of your three days here you don’t fall into either of these groups, I applaud you. Orientation is a great chance to meet people who are in the same boat as you are. Who you were in high school no longer matters, so take advantage of this fresh start. Introduce yourself to as many people as possible so when you return in September, the enormous campus will be dotted with familiar faces.
You should also use this time to learn about the extracurricular activities the University offers and start to getting excited about the possibilities of college life. Of course, there will be partying until all hours of the night, but there will also be many other events to shape your college career. Don’t ignore your talents or interests, go to class, study, join a club, read The Chronicle (or at least the public safety briefs), keep your mind open to new friends and professors- you never know what you can accomplish. Then, on Friday, when all your homework is handed in, celebrate at Happy Hour.