If you sensed an enthusiastic surge of energy here on campus in June, you weren't imagining things.
Our undergraduate summer orientation program, Lynx Orientation, welcomed three sessions of incoming freshmen and transfer students for a two-day intensive crash course in all things Lesley. From choosing classes and building schedules, to ice breaker games and the crowd-pleasing “Life at Lesley” skits, the newest members of Lynx Nation wasted no time learning the ropes at their home for the next four years.
Orchestrated by our Student Activities Office, Lynx Orientation helps incoming students feel comfortable and get excited as they start the next chapter of their lives. It’s a packed schedule, with activities slated from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on day one and 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on day 2, including meals in the various dining halls, an overnight stay in the dorms and informational sessions.
And our exceptional student orientation leaders are there through it all to guide our newest students.
“I’m blown away by our new students,” reflects orientation leader Sophie Vidaña, a sophomore photography major from San Diego. “Orientation is over, but the friendships are just starting.”
The Orientation Leaders, known as “OLs,” are Lesley students who attend two weeks of rigorous training in order to successfully facilitate groups of orientees. They each guide a group of 10 to 12 incoming students, divided into teams assigned a color and the fun doesn’t stop there. The OLs create team names like the “Lovely Lavenders,” “Mellow Yellows” and “Orange Creamsicle Dreamsicles,” along with logos, handshakes and songs, all in the service of team-building.
“I’m so genuinely and wholeheartedly excited for the coming school year,” says senior Riley Curda, leader of the Pink Team and a returning orientation leader. “The incoming students are the most amazing, creative, kind humans.”
Additionally, the leaders are responsible for answering questions, making sure their group members are in the right place at the right time and generally ensuring a smooth transition for the Lesley first-timers.
Creating community, building schedules and more
While the program has echoes of summer camp – complete with beach ball games on the quad, ice cream parties, and informative sketch comedy – the Class of 2021 also met with Student Financial Services, Academic Advising, Residence Life, Disability Services and more to hammer out their fall schedules and to learn about student leadership opportunities, athletics, community service projects, student clubs, study abroad and the ever-important Lesley internships.
Orientation also guided new students through a diversity program, alcohol education, and welcome sessions with the undergraduate deans, where they offer advice about the unique challenges of entering college life.
“The best Lesley student is the one who seeks and seeks and seeks,” College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean Steven Shapiro said to a group of orientees. “You’ll learn by figuring things out as you go. Focus on the learning. If you focus on the learning, the grades will come.”
The “Life at Lesley” skits cleverly dole out advice and share issue-based messages, from an MTV-styled “Real World: Lesley” sketch on roommate conflict and a Harry Potter-themed send-up (complete with silly wigs and questionable British accents), to pieces that strike a more serious tone, touching on depression, suicide and sexual assault.
Lynx Orientation wraps up in Marran Theater with a slideshow of photos from various events of the session, set to music that can barely be heard over the cheers and laughter of the audience. It’s clear that the beach ball games made a difference. The ice has been broken, energy is high and the students are ready to hit the ground running in September.