Before you head off to your college orientation activities start with a strategy and get a lay-of-the-land.

Got a Clue About Your “U”?

Think big picture. Think Google Earth or Google Maps. Go get your GPS or go online and have a look where your campus is located. See the city? See your campus? Then zoom in closer and closer.

If need be go to your college website and check for the campus map there. Imagine yourself walking amongst the buildings. The point is, get a feel for the place and its facilities.

• Know where your dorm is-home sweet home.
• Recognize building names: specifically the housing, dining, library, student union, health center, sports and fitness facilities, special student services, and the campus security center.
• Get familiar with the building where classes will be held.
• Notice the proximity of the buildings, for example, later it will be helpful to realize your dorm is north of the Student Union.
• Know the administrative departments- you will certainly be spending some time in the Registrars, Bursars, and Academic Programs Offices, just to name a few.
• Understand bus routes, within the campus if it is large and outside the campus as well.
• Look big picture again and get a feel for how the campus is situated within the surrounding community.

Even if you visited campus already, familiarizing yourself with the big campus picture will go a long way in getting you comfortable with your new home.

Got Emergency Plans?

While looking ahead, to Living the College Life, now is the time to establish some Plan B’s.

• Do you have an emergency plan established with your family? In case they need to contact you or you them?
• Have you included all your family and friends in your contact directory-address book and cell phone contacts?
• Have you included your ICE–In Case of Emergency contact person– in your cell phone directory?
• If you have any specific medical conditions, do have you the proper medical alert information?
• Do you have your health insurance ID and Group ID numbers?
• Have this emergency information ready to go. Your college will be asking for it.

As you are preparing for your college orientation, instantly download my new eBook College Life Tips: for Living the College Life. It is a college essential.