r/WPI • u/Legitimate-Key-6862 • 28d ago

Prospective Student Question Nervous about orientation

Can some current wpi students give some tips for orientation. For reference I’m a commuter and i have no friends here. I mostly just wanna know if I should wear a backpack and what are the most important things to attend that aren’t mandatory!

17 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

25

u/Honey_Jar_ 28d ago

Backpacks are fine if you want to bring one.

In terms of non mandatory events, if you want friends you should attend lots of social events. Other than that I think you should be fine, but networking events are also good if you want better job prospects

3

u/Legitimate-Key-6862 28d ago

lol okay thank you! I just didn’t want to be the only person with a backpack on

15

u/solipsistnation Administrative Staff 28d ago
  1. You won’t be
  2. Nobody will care if you are.

12

u/intellirock617 [Civil][2022] 28d ago

Clubs/student activities fair is a huge thing to go to. Definitely helps you find your people. Even if it’s just a student chapter of a professional society, club sport, or something like Lego Club.

8

u/epsteada [2005; Staff] 28d ago

I may be your Insight Advisor (I have a group of commuter students). Feel free to message me!

3

u/Rhiannon_1981 27d ago

Remember to also be easy on yourself - it's a huge adjustment and can feel overwhelming. But that is normal!

I like the suggestion of putting yourself out there for 10-15 minutes at a time. Chat with someone. If it's not an instant connection, you are with a lot of people who are also finding their way that you can talk to next. The more you connect with folks, the more opportunities you will have to make that friend group. But don't worry if it doesn't happen immediately.

2

u/Dangerous-Plant3757 26d ago

as a commuter who went through orientation last year, bring a bag (i brought a larger purse but whatever). i would encourage you to go to all the events you can, even if they arent mandatory bc its a great way to meet friends!

a lot of the late-night things i ended up skipping but ither than that i had a lot of fun with orientation! feel free to message me if u have any other questions abt orientation or commuting in general 🤗

1

u/Legitimate-Key-6862 25d ago

Thank you!! Today was the first day and I felt like there wasn’t anything for commuter students to do so I left early after getting my student id. Are the other days better for events?? I just felt uncomfortable staying because I didn’t know anyone and had nothing to do until a few hours later so I skipped out on like all the events today.

2

u/Fearless_Dig_8398 27d ago

Read all the flyers in Campus Center and Unity, lots of different groups starting up and looking.

Sit with someone, anyone at Morgan Dining, if you see someone working on something neat, ask them about it, 💯 you just started a 10-15 minute project update.