Attention please

Reema Saffarini and Rania Al Hussaini find out why orientations are a must for freshmen

So it's finally here ... the time when you will make the transition from high school to college. And because universities and colleges understand the importance of this phase in your life, new students and parents are asked at the beginning of every academic year to take part in orientation programmes.

These vary from a day to a week depending on each institution.

While some see it as a waste of time - 'you are eventually going to find out the rules and regulations of your university' - attending orientations is really a need, not a luxury.

"During orientation, we get to shed light on university regulations, help students understand the university system, the registration procedures and university terminology. Students get to know their rights and duties," said Mohammad Al Shahid, student recruitment manager at the Admissions Office at the American University of Sharjah.

Students who miss the orientation will be left "floating", added Al Shahid, and it will be a while before they get settled on campus.

International students
Bridget Clifford, manager of student services at the University of Wollongong, Dubai, also believes that the orientation period is crucial.

"This is the time when students get to learn about the services available, find out what the university is like and meet students and faculty members," she said.

International students go through a more concentrated orientation. "We take the students who come from abroad around Dubai, get them acquainted with the city as well as the university.

"We also get members of the Student Arabic Club to meet them, talk about the culture in Dubai. The Emirate maybe westernised but it is still part of a Muslim country. So they get to know about the traditions, differences, etc," said Clifford.

Parents
Parents may also participate in university orientation programmes. Meeting professors, school deans and getting an idea about the rights and duties of their children enable parents to better monitor their children's progress.

"The parents would get to know the system and ... would know who to talk to and what to do," said Al Shahid.

"I cannot stress more on not missing any orientation session, because they are all connected like a chain and you will need to know what is happening," he said.

On the other hand, Clifford believes that students in their late teens and early twenties need to learn how to take responsibility and depend on themselves.

"Of course if parents show up they are welcome to attend our orientation sessions. However, it is during orientation that students make the first contact with people who might become their friends in the next four years and being around parents can be limiting for some," she said.

What happens during an orientation?

It may be hard to wake up to attend orientation day, especially if you are still in vacation mode and not used to waking up until noon.

However, it is would be a very good idea to wake up early on that day. Attend the session and take notes of all you need to know before starting classes.

In most universities and colleges, orientations are about:

On orientation day students are introduced to:

Open Day

The University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD), hosted an open day evening recently, to introduce prospective students to the university's degree courses and offerings.

Interested students attended the session that was addressed by Professor Nicholas Van Der Walt, CEO of UOWD, along with staff members.

Students had the opportunity to learn about the university's bachelors degree and masters programmes, meet the faculty, find out about students' support services, discover a range of career opportunities and discuss student life at the university with the alumni.

Who orients students?

"The University of Wollongong Dubai (UOWD), has two kinds of orientation - an academic orientation and a university orientation," said Bridget Clifford, manager of student services at the university.

For the academic orientation:

For the university orientation:

Usually, the department handling student affairs takes care of orientation day activities, although this will vary from institution to institution.

Open Day today

Cambridge College International Dubai based in
Dubai Knowledge Village is hosting an Open Day today from 10am until 7pm.

The institute is an Australian-based further education college offering programmes in business, Information technology, financial services, aged care and community services and the English language.

Students and parents can get information about the college and its courses, have interactive one-on-one sessions with tutors and staff, undergo counselling and take a guided tour of the campus.

Students who enrol during Open Day are exempted from paying the Registration Fee.

Dates to keep in mind

American University of Sharjah
August 19: Orientation day for new students
August 26: First day of classes

Zayed University
August 22 and August 23: Annual convocation
September 3: First day of classes

Higher Colleges of Technology
August 30: Convocation ceremony
September 3: Classes begin

UAE University
August 26 to 30: Orientation day
September 3: First day of classes

American University in Dubai
September 1: Orientation day
September 3: Classes begin

University of Sharjah
August 23: Chancellor meets new students
August 26: First day of classes

University of Wollongong Dubai
September 12: Welcome week begins for international students
September 15: Welcome week begins for all new students
September 16: First day of classes

Bits-Pilani Dubai
August 30: Orientation Day
September 2: Classes commence

Heriot Watt, University, Dubai
August 31: Orientation day
September 23: First day of Classes

American College of Dubai
September 10: Orientation day
September 11: Classes begin