CAITLIN WHITE
Assistant Living Editor
Leaving for college can be one of the most important, daunting, and overwhelming experiences in any student’s life. Leaving home, saying goodbye to friends, and facing the idea of a new independent future are what new students face every year.
Luckily for those students who are coming to Pepperdine, the experience will be a whole lot easier thanks to a helpful few. The orientation process would never happen without the help of all the upperclassmen that sacrifice two weeks of their summer learning how to welcome and lead our incoming class.
The counselors go through an extensive application and interview process in the Spring prior to the upcoming school year, and are even required to write an essay on why they would like to be involved. Doug Hurley, the head of Student Activities, is in charge of the training in the summer, and leads the counselors through a series of activities and discussions that actually mimic what the freshman will go through.
From about 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., these students devote their day to discussions about diversity, labels, leadership, and, of course, to then study Pepperdine’s extensive student behavior policies.
Another aspect of their job includes the behind the scenes work to prepare for the freshmans’ arrival, including hundreds of name tags, and labeling almost the entire campus. During the actual days with scheduled activities, counselors are assigned to a dorm section and help the freshmen in that dorm move in.
In the upcoming days, they attend and lead sessions for freshmen, and facilitate many ice breaking and welcoming activities. These counselors have a full time job, yet they volunteer their time cheerfully.
One such counselor is Alison Raisain, a sophomore, who is going overseas this school year. Many students who are planning to go abroad next year come back to Pepperdine for these few weeks to help out before leaving.
Her willingness to come to assist Pepperdine in greeting the freshman perfectly reflects the principles the school is founded on, those of service, purpose, and leadership.
Why did you decide to come back and be an orientation counselor before going abroad?
I thought it would be good to be able give back to Pepperdine, and catch a glimpse of the incoming class. I also thought it would be fun to come and see my friends that I won’t see while I’m overseas.
Was orientation a good experience for you as a freshman?
Yes, and that was part of the reason I wanted to come and share that experience with other people, because my own orientation counselors helped me so much. You wouldn’t believe how little things like unpacking a car make a difference.
How effective do you think the program and your training was?
It was somewhat repetitive at parts. Mostly it was just long because we had to cram it in so quickly, but it was really good and very informative. I felt very prepared to help lead the freshmen.
What were the best and worst parts of training?
The worst part would really just be how tiring it was. We usually had to get up really early, and one day we started at 6 a.m. and didn’t finish until after midnight, so that was a really long day.
Also carrying heavy things got tough after a while. But the best part was definitely knowing that we’re making a difference and doing our part.
What are your feelings on going abroad?
I will be in London for the whole year and I’m really excited. It’s a chance for me to meet new people and do new things that I would never have the chance to do here. It is kind of sad, though, to think I’ll be missing a whole year here, and a whole new class of people.
What do you think you’ll miss the most about Pepperdine?
Probably all the things I’m involved in. I think the more involved you are, the more fun you will have. I’ll miss just being at school with everyone, because no matter where you go here, you always see someone you know.
Whether it’s the cafeteria, the library, just walking down Dorm Row. London will be totally different, but it will give me the chance to meet new people, which is great.
What advice do you have for freshman?
I would reiterate what I said about getting involved. Try out as many new things as possible. But make sure that you keep a balance between your social life and your school work, because no matter how fun being social can be, school really is why we are here after all.
What were you involved with here during last year?
I went through recruitment and joined a sorority, and I was on the Lacrosse team. Both were great experiences for me.
Would you recommend coming to Pepperdine to be an orientation leader to other people?
Yes, I definitely would. It was a great time, and I’d do it again. It was great to reconnect with people I hadn’t seen all summer. It was also cool being here and getting to know all the other counselors. It was great how many people I bonded with that I never even hung out with, or really knew during school.
I want to be a counselor again right after I get back from being abroad, too, so I can get reconnected with the Pepperdine community again.
08-27-2007