At Oliverian, orientation is less about checking boxes and more about beginning to figure out how you fit into this place. Rather than learning where things are or memorizing a schedule, we use it as a chance to start building the developmental relationships that make our community so special. Returning students guide new students through a campus tour and mock school day to share the ins and outs of being an Oli student. There are practical things to figure out, of course, but there are also the less-scripted moments: sitting around with your dorm after dinner, playing cornhole in front of Academic after a community meeting, or discovering that the person you just met is surprisingly good at roasting the perfect marshmallow.
We also jump right into the things that make Oliverian, Oliverian. Adventure activities get students outside, trying new things, and experiencing campus together, while traditions like the corn maze give everyone a chance to get off campus and get to know each other in a different setting. Community Meeting brings everyone together as a whole school, while Crew and dorm time create smaller spaces where relationships can grow and students can find individualized support. For students who have struggled with school avoidance or refusal in the past, those connections are an incredibly important place to begin. We don’t expect students to feel completely comfortable on day one nor do we expect a few days of orientation to solve all the problems. Orientation is simply the beginning of finding the people, places, and routines that eventually make Oliverian feel like home.
