My first experience with ETSU came on the faithful first day of freshman orientation, known fondly as Blue & Gold Days. Current students, faculty, parents and freshman filled every corner of the Culp Center’s bottom floor. I made the wise choice coming to orientation alone, deciding to leave my mother at home.

First impressions are everything, and having my mother trail behind me every step probably wouldn’t have been the best idea, considering she is usually more than glad to tell anyone she knows how great she thinks her son is. I can only imagine how my introduction would have went.

“Hi, I’m Cody … this is my … um … mom.”

I received my drawstring backpack full of ETSU information and goodies, and headed into the auditorium. To my dismay, I only saw one person from my graduating class, and he was with his father.

So I took a seat alone while the speakers spoke on the great journey I was about to begin at ETSU. That mind-numbing talk lasted for more than an hour. Then we were split into groups by majors so that we could get to know our fellow classmates. I was only one of two journalism majors in a sea of psychology majors. I was not happy.

Our group leader, who was more than excited to tell us everything about everything at ETSU, from her favorite resturant in the Cave, to how we most likely wouldn’t be able to find a parking space if we commute. The most ridiculous part, I felt, was the icebreaker exercises. To be honest, by the end of our group session, I knew more than I needed to about my future classmates.The rest of orientation is a blur, although I do remember what seemed like a fight to find a lunch table.

I feel like more information would be gained by telling students the things that they need to know, other than making us go around and say what tattoo we would most like to have in our icebreaker.

Spending 30 minutes on the history of the Alumni Plaza was irrelevant. I would much rather know the fastest way from building to building, or what we should expect on our first day of classes. I don’t care if a meal plan is the cheapest way to eat, I do care, however that it took me 20 minutes to set-up my Goldmail account from the instruction sheet I was given. In the time we spent on useless info, we could have been in the computer lab with hands-on training of all the programs students will use. We were given no information regarding how to sign up for sports teams, clubs, etc. Valuable information did come on the second day, however. Learning how to use Goldlink, deciding what classes our major required and receiving a tour of the campus were very useful to a first-time student. So I ask that when planning the 2010 orientation, keep it to the basics.

Let’s spend less time on icebreakers and useless information and more time on things we need to know. Things that will help us be successful ETSU students.

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