My Orientation Experience
I agree with the concept of sending the enrollee home from orientation as a "student". At my law school orientation (6 months before the first day of class), we were given a reading list and reading assignments expected to be completed BEFORE the first day of class. A bit extreme in our career college environment, but I definitely left feeling like a student. Distributing books, ID's, uniforms, etc., is a great way of accomplishing the same idea.
I think if you send the enrollee home with the materials if they not truly in it whole-heartly then it isn't a good idea
They spent years qualifying for law school. They are "in it." Career college students need to know what to expect and focus on specific goals from the beginning. They should meet their teachers at orientation.
I would like to see orientation be on the first day of classes. It seems that we have several students who enroll after the new student orientation, leaving them without the information they need to begin as a new student.
Vickie,
This is where a late orientation process is helpful. Having orientation on the first day is a good idea, but not often practical since faculty need every class period to cover the material.
Susan Backofen
Our campus just switched to "online" ordering of books. The students order their books online and cuts out the middle man. I personally dislike this practice because I feel it takes away from the exuberance of the "new student" experience.
Sharyn,
I see what you are saying...it is less personal and difficult to walk away with the text books if they are doing it online. There are other things that should compensate for this, however---like ID cards, any uniforms, meeting their instructors.
Susan Backofen
I think this is an excellent concept. I feel this would engage the student from the beginning and make them feel like a student. They meet with the admissions rep and they are pumped to start school. If they left with let's say a "note taking handout", the "student handbook", their ID badge, then they would already feel invested. I don't think rental books should be given out at the time of enrollment because if they have someone that influences their decision, the school could be out a book as mostly likely, they would not come back to cancel or drop and we would be out an expensive book. I am going to address this concept at our next staff meeting and hopefully get this implemented. Thanks for the tip :) Suzanne
