Emma Dolman recognizes that deer-in-the-headlight look.
New surroundings, different faces, no idea where to go.
Dolman, a second-year biology student at Okanagan College’s Vernon campus, had that look a year ago on her first day as a college student.
On Tuesday, Dolman was helping the 2014-15 newbies on their orientation day, and said she saw that look in the group of close to 150 first-year students.
“I remember being very nervous and it was nerve-wracking, said Dolman, a graduate of Vernon’s W.L. Seaton Secondary, and a part of the Okanagan College student council that helps promote and support events such as orientation day throughout the year.
“Orientation day is very worthwhile. You learn where everything else is on campus that you normally wouldn’t find.”
Helping the first-year students find their way around campus is a 15-clue scavenger hunt.
Students are put onto teams where they then receive clues that take them to locations around the college. When they get there and, in some cases, have to perform a “Minute to Win It”-like task, they receive their next clue.
“This is why we do it, every location is important and the students are going to go to places they will need to know in the college,” said Tawnya Cameron, recruitment and event co-ordinator for OC.
Bradley Honeyman, a first-year computer information systems student from Grindrod, was having fun with his team.
“It’s been pretty good and very helpful in trying to find my way around the school,” said Honeyman, 18.
Emily Nielsen was a bit more relaxed than most of the other first-years.
The 19-year-old Salmon Arm resident has a semester at OC in her hometown under her belt.
“I went to college for a semester taking business, but now I’m here in Vernon to study esthetics and this is the closest campus that offers the program.”
Nielsen was excited for the first day of school.
“At least I know I’m going to school,” she chuckled.
Orientation day is the college’s way of welcoming the first-year students.
“They get to meet the other students and we introduce them to the different programs and services we offer on campus,” said Cameron.
“It’s an important day. It helps set the tone for the rest of the year.”
College classes officially commence this morning.
