'Does it really help?'

The first day of college invariably means the students will be taken through an orientation programme, where they are welcomed and given an insight into what’s in store for them, both academically and culturally.

They are also introduced to staff members and seniors who walk them through the college and brief them on what activities they could possibly take part in.
While some students in the City believe that orientation programmes help them settle down in a new environment rather quickly, others think it is just a formality and not as important as it is perceived to be.

Metrolife asked students in the City, if they thought that the orientation programmes helped them settle down and helped dispelling the initial jitters of being part of a new place or if it didn’t really matter.

Bhargavi, a first year science student of St Joseph’s College says, “I feel the orientation programme is very informative. It not only gives us an idea about the college and staff but also gives us an overall insight into the curriculum offered and what we can expect in the semesters to come. I felt that the ice-breaker sessions and the exercises were important as it helped us get out of our comfort zone and meet new people from various backgrounds. I feel that college is a whole new experience and I was nervous at first about the environment but I have learnt that the atmosphere is warm and I am looking forward to college everyday.”

On the other hand, there were others like Dheeraj Prasad, a first PUC student from Sri Bhagawan Mahaveer Jain College (SBMJC) on J C Road, who considers orientation programmes a nice way to kill time.

“We had an inauguration where we were given most of the information, so during the orientation programme we only interacted with our seniors,” he adds.

There are a few students who stay away from orientation programmes. Sooraj Kiran, another first PUC student says, “I was out of town when the orientation programme was held. It is important but you can always get that information from your friends. I don’t see any harm in missing it.”

Some colleges have two orientation programmes. Chirag Jadhav, a first PUC student from SBMJC, V V Puram branch says, “Students taking up the IIT integrated programme had an extra orientation programme. I don’t think two orientations were necessary as the whole purpose was to motivate us and they had already successfully done that in the first orientation which included all students.”