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I am interested in finding additional "new or unique approaches to ice breakers during orientation?

Maureen--

There are some good ideas in this forum. Perhaps some of the other participants have additional suggestions.

One of the school's I've worked with designed an orientation around a Monopoly theme. Students went from place to place to not only meet with different departments, but also complete the registration process. They did this in groups and so it was an informal way to begin getting the students to bond as well.

Susan

Susan and Maureen,

Our school provides a 10-month program with only one start date. We also must break our student body into groups or sections as we call them. On the first day of orientation, they are all gathered in our auditorium. Each one of the chairs has a section assignment taped under the seat so the students do not know they exist. We take a 25 minute break after we let them in on the secret and they have to locate the members of their section and gather as a group. Once in the group, they choose a secretary and a speaker. The group collects information like, names, contact numbers, towns where they reside, ages, transportation issues, hobbies etc. The secretary collects the info on the section assigment sheet (the back has the form). The speaker (once the break is over) comes up on stage and "introduces" his/her group. We find out who the leaders are real quick. We find out how there are so many similarities out there, that everyone has someone like them in their section as well as the school. We collect each group's info and formulate an official call list for each section and distribute it back to the sections in class. This helps them carpool and begin to gather on their own time outside of school. The list gets published in whole as a class directory as well. It definitely breaks the ice. The students love it and feel comfy right away. It gets them involved in the orientation, breaks up speakers and is a fun way to introduce themselves to one another. Plus, it is a quick way to get our job of formulating a section done immediately. People sitting side by side usually know one another as they tend to sit near their confirmed roommate or someone they know from home. We break this up so they have to meet others by alternating our 8 sections under the seats. It would be impossible to end up in the same section as your roommate unless you chose to spread themselves out. We also challenge them to make a new friend every day.

Tammy--

Certainly sounds like a great format! I like the opportunities for them to form their peer support groups right away as well.

One of the previous participants indicated they also have students write a 'Heaven forbid' statement outlining things that might get in the way of program completion (child care, transportation, fear of academic failure...the usual suspects :) They share these with their group as additional ice breakers. Secondarily, it provides the institution with potential 'red flags' to retention issues. They also give them back to them at graduation time, which usually makes them really appreciate what they have overcome/accomplished.

Susan

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