WEBVTT Kind: captions Language: en 00:00:01.630 --> 00:00:06.650 This UVA ID is a picture of me actually when I came to orientation my first-year. 00:00:06.650 --> 00:00:11.470 When I came into orientation, I was nervous and unsure of what to expect. 00:00:11.470 --> 00:00:15.680 The girl in this photo had no idea how amazing her first-year would be. 00:00:15.680 --> 00:00:21.130 My orientation was amazing, I came into the year prepared for classes. 00:00:21.130 --> 00:00:24.359 Orientation starts off pretty early in the morning, we get the students and parents checked-in 00:00:24.359 --> 00:00:26.710 and then we get them hype for the rest of the day. 00:00:26.710 --> 00:00:30.310 When we're out on the Lawn and the orientees come out, we're holding up our posters. 00:00:30.310 --> 00:00:32.570 They get to meet their orientation leaders, their peers. 00:00:32.570 --> 00:00:36.460 We have ice breakers on the Lawn, we're playing shipwreck, we're playing telephone. 00:00:36.460 --> 00:00:40.290 We do ice breakers in order for them to get relaxed, to get to know each other, to hang 00:00:40.290 --> 00:00:42.420 out, and that gets them talking. 00:00:42.420 --> 00:00:48.300 The most rewarding experience is seeing the orientees that are kind of shy open up. 00:00:48.300 --> 00:00:53.500 In the afternoon, we also have a few information sessions where students can ask questions 00:00:53.500 --> 00:00:57.420 and to learn about resilience and how to be successful at UVA. 00:00:57.420 --> 00:00:59.930 The high point is definitely in the evening "I am UVA." 00:00:59.930 --> 00:01:05.049 "I am UVA," is a really really unique aspect of orientation that was just introduced this 00:01:05.049 --> 00:01:09.140 past year, we have five orientation leaders go on stage in Old Cabell Hall and they share 00:01:09.140 --> 00:01:13.630 their personal stories, their experiences at UVA, and what they can contribute to the 00:01:13.630 --> 00:01:15.060 University as individuals. 00:01:15.060 --> 00:01:20.229 We try to remind them that it's okay to be you, it's okay to bring a different perspective 00:01:20.229 --> 00:01:21.490 to the table. 00:01:21.490 --> 00:01:27.670 Our job really is just to promote an atmosphere of inclusivity and a welcoming environment. 00:01:27.670 --> 00:01:31.170 They have a home, they have a community, they have a group of people that all really care 00:01:31.170 --> 00:01:32.170 about them. 00:01:32.170 --> 00:01:36.649 Everyone has a story, your story matters, and they're going to add so much more to this 00:01:36.649 --> 00:01:41.259 University.