The following preview has been approved for all new ETSU students under the age of 23 and transfer students.
East Tennessee State University’s annual Preview event was held from Aug. 24-26.
The event, which has taken place at the university for the last 36 years, is aimed to help students have a successful transition before classes begin.
The gathering is divided into two different types of previews, the traditional 3-day preview for new students and the 1-day adult/transfer preview. At the gathering, students are put into small groups that they spend the majority of their time with.
Activities at the event included a hypnotist, a service project, a lip sync battle and painting the ETSU Pride Walk. There was even a silent disco this year.
According to Director of New Students and Family Programs Heather Levesque, the turnout for Preview this year was the best it has been in the last six years, with 1,005 students signing up.
“Preview puts a lasting impact on students,” Levesque said. “It helps them feel comfortable here at ETSU and many Preview students will tell you they met their best friends during Preview.”
One such student who had a positive impact from Preview is Lindsey Webb.
Webb, who is now a member of the Preview and Orientation Leader Organization, or POLO, began her experience with the annual event back in 2015 when she was a freshman.
“My experience going through preview in 2015 was absolutely amazing,” Webb said. “I felt a connection with my leaders, and I knew that I wanted to be a Preview leader. I wanted to help new students transition to college and hopefully get them excited about the university that I love.”
According to Webb, she still always talks with those she met at Preview two years ago.
“It is an amazing opportunity to put yourself out there and find people who have similar hobbies and even classes as you,” Webb said. “ The connections you make during Preview will last a lifetime.”
The cost for the 3-day experience is $50, while the 1-day gathering is $15.
In addition to the activities students engage in, they are also given the opportunity to learn where classes are located, move in early and learn about programs available on campus.
Any students interested in becoming a POLO leader can visit www.etsu.edu/polo and can apply from mid-September until the end of October.
