From: Washington DC
Year: Sophomore
Major: Elementary education
Minor: Psychology
What are you involved in on campus?
- Alpha Chi Omega
- Moral committee for Elon Thon
What made you want to apply for the orientation leader position?
I applied because my friends were doing so too, and they sorta convinced me to apply with them. After I went through the interview process and got the positions, that’s when I realized how much I wanted to do it. The training, although long, was super fun! When I went through orientation, I made a lot of friends good friends in my orientation group, and I wanted to be that person who helped other first years find people they were close with as they transitioned to Elon. My first year I had sort of a difficult transition being away from home, so I wanted to be there for other new students going through the same thing.
What was your favorite part of having this position?
One of the best days for me as an orientation leader was move-in day and the first day of orientation. We had to wake at 5 am. It was so early and such a long day, but it was so fun and worth it seeing all the cars of new students pull in was so exciting. I got to meet my orientation group the first day which was so exciting because the night before we got the list of names of our students so it was nice to meet the first years who would be in my group and who I would be helping.
What did this position entail?
We had to go through three training sessions during the spring semester where we would talk about different scenarios and how to solve them if one of our students were in these scenarios. We learned all the cheers and how to handle different situations. There were training sessions over the summer which were five days before more in where we were split into smaller orientation leader groups and would do bonding exercises very similar to the ones used during actual orientation. We also would go through the handbook and reenact each day of orientation to prepare yourself for how we would lead each session. We did tons of fun bonding activities, and all got super close as a group.
Which do you like better: being in orientation as a first year or leading it?
I would have to say leading it mostly because orientation was very overwhelming for me as a first year and I felt that I had a strong connection with my orientation group as a leader. It was a very eye-opening experience. Originally I didn’t think I would be able to handle it as a leader of first years and was nervous about messing up. In the end, I enjoyed it, and it was one of my favorite things I’ve ever been involved in at Elon.
Do you think this position has helped you on campus?
I think it has, especially within my classes. Last year I wasn’t very into participating in class and was kind of shy, but I feel like going through the training and becoming an orientation leader gave me a lot more confidence in my overall abilities which has pushed me to participate a lot more in class. I never really saw myself as a leader before but being an OL helped me solidify that believe that I can lead people and me a mentor. Now, I feel like I could potentially take on leadership roles in my other organizations.
Would you go back and do it again?
Yes! Unfortunately, I couldn’t do it this year, but I definitely want to when I’m a senior. It’s such a unique experience that you can’t get from other organizations at Elon just because you really are the first face the new students see and first people these new students meet. It’s such a special experience, and I’m so lucky that I was chosen to be an OL since it is a very competitive position. I’m very grateful I had the opportunity to do it and want to again, or find another similar thing on campus that has to do with leadership and helping new students adjust to Elon.
Do you have anything you would want to say to other students considering this position?
I would say to apply definitely! I didn’t think I would be good as a leader at first, but the whole program has made me grow and realize what I’m capable of. Even though it’s only a couple of days, you get so close to everyone.