Every year in September, the week before classes start, Orientation Week takes place. This is a week dedicated solely to those starting in UCD for the first time. It's a chance to socialise, make new friends and familiarise yourself with the campus before the semester starts, all while having the craic.
Current UCD students volunteer to help out during Orientation Week. I was really struck by the strong sense of community during my orientation week - all the volunteers are 2nd/3rd/4th year students who are giving up their free time and coming into college a week early to help new students settle in. It was a lovely, warm wlecome and made me feel at home so quickly, especially since I didn't know many people going to UCD.
Some of the highlights of Orientation week include:
- The President's Welcome
- movie nights
- comedy debates
- salsa dancing
- scavenger hunts
- The Orientation Barbecue
- meeting your peer mentor group
The President's Welcome is the ceremony that officially marks your start in UCD. All first years are formally welcomed by the President of UCD and are presented with their UCD scarves. It takes place in O'Reilly Hall, the same hall graduation ceremonies are held in - for all the sentimental people out there, this means you graduate in the same hall it all started in, with the same people around you.
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| UCD scarves in O'Reilly Hall - image from ucd.ie |
Movie nights and games evenings are usually held in the Global Lounge (sometimes with free tea/coffee/pizza :D), although from now on the movie nights could be moved to UCD's very own cinema that recently opened in the Student Centre. The L&H Society organise comedy debates during the week, as well as a club night. UCD International organise tapas and salsa dancing in the Global Lounge and Music Soc often host an Open Mic Night. The scavanger hunts are always a bit of craic (often involving filming your team making fools of themselves), and help you learn to navigate your way around the large campus.
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| Global Lounge - image from ucd.ie |
The Orientation BBQ is held every year. This year, the BBQ was preceded by a Rock the Boat world record attempt - UCD Arts Soc made a video!
When you arrive in Orientation week you'll be assigned to a peer mentor group. A peer mentor is a second or third year student studying the same course as you - they are there as a friendly face to help you settle in both academically and socially and to share their own experiences of UCD. There will be around fourteen other first years in your group, so it's a great way to make friends and get to know your class mates. You'll take part in some of the orientation activities with your group, such as scavenger hunts and a social event organised by your peer mentor.
Apart from all the fun activities, Orientation week gives you the opportunity to organise yourself and sort out some of the basics - like completing registration, taking an IT induction course, going on campus tours and picking up your student card - before classes start.
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| This year we had great weather during Orientation Week |
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