Institutional Connections | Origin: RT102
This is a general discussion forum for the following learning topic:
Orientation and First Week Activities to Increase Retention --> Institutional Connections
Post what you've learned about this topic and how you intend to apply it. Feel free to post questions and comments too.
Building credibility can be done in different ways so that the students feel comfortable and less anxious about the first day of school. You want them to leave orientation feeling excited and like they are part of a community.
Orientation should involve some kind of fun activity to engage the students and promote interaction.
I really like the idea of having current students speak at our orientation, provide school tours, and act as 'mentors' for new students.
I also like learning about confronting "Buyers Remorse" by sharing information concerning students' goals and barriers, from admissions to continually build the value of completing our program and reassuring students they will be better off if they attend our school, than if they don't.
Lastly I really enjoyed learning about valuable it is to make all students feel like they already belong after attending orientation, so when they leave, they will feel like they are already a student and already connected to our school.
I learned how important it is to make orientation fun and interactive. Also helping to bridge student relationships so they can start off with community. This will help students feel more secure and minimize buyers remorse leading to better retention.
From this module, I learned how important it is to make students feel like they already belong from the moment they arrive on campus. Orientation should be engaging, interactive, and designed to build confidence, comfort, and excitement. When students leave orientation feeling connected and prepared, they’re more likely to stay motivated and succeed.
I plan to apply this by continuing to make my TRDS100 students feel welcome and supported early on—through clear communication, familiar guidance, and helping them visualize success in the program. The goal is for every student to feel like part of the PCI community before the first assignment even begins.
Orientation should simulate future course work while building peer to peer connections in a fun but credible manner.
My take away is to incorporate stations during orientation, break down the information or sharables to smaller interactions
It is important to create a fun, interactive and rewarding experience at orientation. First impressions count; so make sure staff is available, set up student ID photos etc
I learned that making orientation more engaging by involving important staff, teachers, and past students is essential. This will help our students feel confident about their decision for choosing our school.
Building credibility, increasing value, and building departmental connections are important components to an effective orientation. It is very important to make all students feel like they already belong by building our orientation to provide them with all the information, materials, and supplies before they leave that will make them feel like they are already a student.
I learned that having your staff and students can help the new students feel like part of the community of the school. Also can help with retention and help them feel more at ease knowing that students have also done the same thing. Orientation can very helpful tool in setting up students for success.
Progressive orientations improve outcomes. Inviting student participation helps reduce fears and answer questions about the program. To reduce buyer's remorse, it is in everyone's best interest for the orientation to show planning, interactivity, and credibility.
Orientation is important for setting the foundation on how we tend to guide our students.
Orientation is an important part of assimilating to a college environment and a well executed orientation can result in higher retention.
Establishing credibility is important for post-secondary education because it allows students to know they will be in good hands and that the education they are investing will be worth it.
I learned that building connections and credibility through out the departments will make students feel comfortable and less likely to have "buyers remorse".
It is good to have the students break into teams so that they can feel comfortable. This is also for those colleges offering online classes that can have break-out rooms for the students to be able to feel comfortable in asking more questions.
other departmental representatives should be present on the orientation day.
Spend time explaining the values, mission, and vision of the school to help students in making decisions.
