Whether you are a resident advisor, sorority or fraternity member, or campus leader, you know that for students entering college for the first time, school can seem like a very big change. For first year students and even some returning students, being away from home means missing family and friends, often for the first time. But there are ways to help ease the transition and make students more comfortable by offering back to school activities designed for college students. More schools are realizing the needs of new students and encouraging campus leaders to come up with back to school activities that allow students to get to know each other and their schools.
By the time they start school most students have taken some sort of basic tour of the campus, usually during an orientation event that happens in the summer time. But as a current student, you know all of the best places to see and do things, and creating a special back to school campus tour can be an ideal way to help students feel more at home. You can take students to visit the school’s sporting locations such as arenas or stadiums, you can lead a tour of the science building for prospective engineering students, or you can arrange a tour of the different dorms on campus so students can find each other. If you want to provide something a bit different, consider arranging a time for students to meet professors and other faculty. Or, make a fun tour experience by taking students to the best on-campus hang outs, places to study, and places to relax and get some fresh air. Freshmen will benefit by taking a tour of where their classes will be so there are no concerns about finding classes on the first day of school.
Clubs and organizations are an important part of making students feel at home and helping them fit in with other students, so consider offering a tour of different groups. Holding a club fair at your school will let students talk to others with similar interests, and introduce them to groups they may not know about otherwise. This is one of the fun back to school activities that gives clubs a casual way to get to know new students, and gives students a fun way to meet older students. Another benefit is that membership in school organizations is a proven factor in keeping students in school long enough to graduate.
Another back to school activity that students always enjoy is a “Fall Fair”. Consider holding an outdoor concert where student bands perform- or even attract a major band to play- and then be sure to let school organizations set up tables for students to visit. Encourage students to get to know one another, and don’t forget about building school spirit with an appearance by your school’s mascot, football team, or another group.
Back to school activities should help build school spirit, increase morale, and help students feel more connected to their new school. The back to school season helps all students start the year right.