What Exactly Happens At Columbia College Chicago Freshman Orientation

So you’ve gotten accepted to the college of your dreams, but now comes Freshman orientation and awkward ice breakers. At Columbia College Chicago Freshman Orientation goes a little something like this…

1. Getting Started

Parents and students all gather at a central location which usually tends to be the convention center at 1104 S. Wabash Ave. Because of the early hour, the college serves a light breakfast of pastries, coffee, and fruit before the day really gets started. Be sure to take advantage of this as the rest of orientation is packed with things to do and there isn’t much time to grab a bite otherwise.

2. Welcoming speeches

Columbia faculty will have a short opening speech welcoming all the new students to campus. There is usually a short rundown of the day’s activities so you’ll know exactly what to expect.

3. Student Group Activities

This is where you really get to know some of your peers in the form of weird versions of HeadsUp and other ice breakers. Additionally, you’ll begin to see how the student body is truly a diverse, distinctive, and unique group of individuals.

4. Lunch Break

Columbia loves to serve free food at any college sponsored event, and at Freshman orientation new students will see this firsthand. Lunch comes in the form of sandwiches, wraps, salads, and drinks which are usually catered from a local company or Potbelly’s.

5. Safety in the City

Campus security is a big deal in Chicago, and at orientation there is always a brief presentation by some of the security officials to inform students and parents about the risks. That being said, campus related incidents are few and far between.

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6. Financial Aid Counseling

After a brief speech on Financial Aid, parents and their students are encouraged to set up meetings with a financial aid to discuss how exactly to set up payment plans, apply for grants, and general budgeting tips.

7. Building Tours

At the very end of the day you may choose to do a one-on-one building tour of your specific department. These are optional but provide a better look at the sections of campus that you’re more likely to become familiar with.