#pre-orientation

[smithbysmithies]

hey guys! i had a question about the bridge program if you wouldn't mind answering :) im an out of state student, and really want to attend bridge. im a bit confused about the housing situation that surrounds it and new student orientation. i know you live on campus for bridge, so are you allowed to bring the things youre going to be moving in with with you? i also read that you wont be given housing for new student orientation, so how does that all work out? i hope this makes sense! thanks :)

Hi! My friends who participated in Bridge all stayed in Cutter/ZIskind, (unlike Athletic pre-orientation, which was just your academic year housing assignment) later moving into their actual rooms when it was time for New Student Orientation. You can bring your things, or, since you are an out of state student, you always have the option of mailing over your items using the labels that were provided in one of your first year packets that were mailed to your house. That will ensure that your belongings arrive by the time you need them. Mail Services is located on the bottom floor of the Campus Center and should be open by the time you arrive for Bridge, so you can pick up things from there if you need to! I hope that cleared things up… I hope you have a great time with your orientation group!

Iris ‘20

[smithbysmithies]

can you explain how bridge was for you? what did you guys do?

Hey! I really enjoyed Bridge! I met a lot of amazing smithies and it was a great way to see the campus before everyone else showed up. We did a lot of group bonding activities, heard from professors, and got a lot of advice from current smithies of color. The whole experience was a lot of fun and I met some great friends!

-Madison ‘21

[smithbysmithies]

Hi! I signed up for the Bridge Orientation and I'm pretty excited about it. Do you have any insight on what to expect?

Hey there! Expect to share a discursive space with many different people. During Bridge, Smithies of color go through workshops hosted by each individual Bridge leader, as well as lectures/discussions held by current Smith professors. This means a lot of conversation and sharing will be occurring. The Bridge leaders organize activities outside of this too, like walking tours or games to help you get to know your group members better. We spoke about what it means to be a student of color in a predominately-white institution, how that takes different meaning for all of us individually, and more. You get assigned readings before the Orientation which mostly concern Smith’s history with students of color and our participation and concerns (definitely, if you’re wondering about the motivations behind Bridge, our Unity Orgs, or Otelia Cromwell Day, give them a read - these are all institutions which are really a huge part of non-white history here at Smith). Expect to open up, empathize, and grow. Bridge is a really great introduction to Smith for so many Bridgees because of your ability to build community before most students arrive at the college. You can also get some really key advice and support from upperclassmen. Take advantage of that! Bridge was the best way for me to transition to Smith, and I felt free to express myself and own my identity. What you get out of it depends on you, and what you want/need. I hope you have a great time! And lastly, if they’ve kept it, expect early mornings and Zumba workouts. (I hope they kept it!)

-Yasmine ‘20

[smithbysmithies]

Hi! Do you mind telling me a little bit about freshman orientation and what your experiences were like with that? Thank you!

I went to Bridge, a pre-orientation program which is a full week of activities before the regular freshman orientation, so it did influence my perception of freshman orientation a bit. The orientation program I signed up for, Everyday Brave, incorporated a ropes course into encouraging us to push ourselves. It was really fun, and during it I met a lot of people that I still talk to now and have been in my classes. However, many of the other orientation week activities were boring to me because I had already done most of them during Bridge (such as panels, talks, etc.). The only activities I really went to outside my program were the Smith To Do and mandatory signing of the Honor Code (not signing this makes it difficult to sign up for classes second semester). However, as an orientation leader this year, I have a slightly different perspective. During this week, Smith tries to ease you into college life with different activities and opportunities to get advice and meet people. Some activities I remember from last year are Speed Friending, Ultimate Frisbee, a movie night, and, as I mentioned before, a Smith To-Do (DIY project session). Though I didn’t really participate in them when I was a freshman, I highly recommend incoming freshman go to them, especially if they do not have the advantage of having gone to pre-orientation, as it is the best time to make friends and get accumulated to Smith life.

~Emily ‘21~

[wcorientation15]

Is everything on the pre-orientation and regular orientation schedule mandatory?

We will always recommend that you attend as many of the orientation (and pre-orientation) events as possible; after all, we want you to be as informed and as integrated as you can be into the Wellesley community once the school year begins. Plus, we’re making the events for you! :)

In all seriousness, though, if there are certain events you will be unable to make it to, please read through the schedule carefully and inform someone beforehand (likely your FYM, if applicable) that you won’t able to make it. We would not recommend you skip any events on purpose, as you may end up missing something important or fun!

--Annie

[wcorientation15]

If we are going to international orientation, do we start sleeping in the dorms from the day we arrive or can we go back with our families to sleep?

The former! Please, please ask if you can leave campus with your family when you’re at pre-orientation. You don’t want to miss any important morning programs the next day, so it would be preferable that you say your goodbyes to your family the first day and stay on campus.

--Annie

[wcorientation15]

How many international students usually attend international orientation?

There are 88 new international students and 115 students attend Pre-Orientation. There will also be student leaders on campus and some student athletes as well. :)

-Sheridan

[wcorientation15]

Hello! I have a question which is somewhat embarrassing... I am international and in my culture we do not wear the sleeping clothes like Americans do. Typically we sleep only in the nude. I am afraid that my roommate will not accept this. How so you recommend I bring this up to her? Should I try to be like American culture and wear the sleeping clothes? How many sets of sleeping clothes do most people need? Thank you so much!

Hi there! I would say not to worry! If you are open with your roommate and explain to her that where you are from you don’t wear pajamas then I am sure they will understand. Part of living with someone is that they have to get used to your quirks and you with theirs. Also, you two are bound to see each other naked at some point as it just happens when you live in the same room. If you want to wear pajamas, or at least have them on hand just in case, then know that a lot of people just wear t-shirts and shorts or sweatpants (or maybe that’s just me). Wear clothes that you are comfortable in to bed. 

Before you do that, though, talk to your roommate. I am sure that they will be understanding. Communication and compromise is super important when it comes to living with someone. :)

-Sheridan