16 Fun College Orientation Activities & Icebreakers to Encourage Student Engagement in 2022!

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16 Fun College Orientation Activities & Icebreakers to Encourage Student Engagement in 2022!

For many students, college orientation can be their first experience on their own. As they embark on an exciting new journey, they are suddenly faced with some new pressures โ€” and without the familiar and structured environment of home and high school.

The obstacle? They may be feeling a little lost in a sea of new faces and places.

The good news? Campus and orientation leaders planning summer orientation can help relieve some of the pressure! By carving out time and creating opportunities for new students to be social and share more about themselves, they create a positive and welcoming atmosphere.

Why is this so important? Building campus community and cultivating a sense of belonging are critical for a studentโ€™s success and retention (especially for those at risk for dropping out).

In this article, we are exploring 16 of our favorite college orientation ideas, activities, and icebreakers to help incoming students get to know each other!

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That's a Wrap! CampusGroups Rendez-Vous '22 Conference Was a Hit!

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That's a Wrap! CampusGroups Rendez-Vous '22 Conference Was a Hit!

On Friday, April 8th, the CG team was beyond thrilled to host our 2nd annual virtual conference with our wonderful campus partners!

We were delighted to gather together and connect with so many creative and innovative campus leaders at CampusGroups Rendez-Vous โ€˜22! It was such a pleasure to see and hear from the incredible members of the CG community! ๐Ÿ’™

Over 400 attendees from 12 countries and 141 campuses around the globe joined us for an exciting day of discussions, inspiration, discovery and new connections!

11 presenters from 8 institutions shared creative ways they have been adapting and innovating to keep their students connected and engaged.

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32 Ways to Reward and Incentivize College Students

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32 Ways to Reward and Incentivize College Students

One big challenge that educators and student affairs administrators can sometimes face is motivating their students. This can apply both in and outside of the classroom and affects all levels of education, from kindergarten all the way through college.

To help support student success, persistence and retention through graduation, many college leaders are creating reward systems and programs.

Recognizing studentsโ€™ accomplishemnts and efforts encourages academic achievement. These rewards and incentives also help create an environment in which achievement is valued!

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Co-Curricular Transcripts: An Important Compass of College Life

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Co-Curricular Transcripts: An Important Compass of College Life

The academic transcript has traditionally been the blueprint of a studentโ€™s accomplishments. However, it does not completely reflect the learning experience of college life. More importantly, it is not the best indicator of student success or career readiness.

Colleges and employers are increasingly taking a more holistic view of the college experience. Therefore, co-curricular transcripts are becoming commonplace and the technology around them is evolving.

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12 Key Strategies to Improve Student Retention

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12 Key Strategies to Improve Student Retention

12 Key Strategies to Improve Student Retention

When considering student retention initiatives, higher education administrators often examine how a student is integrated into the campus community both academically and socially. Accordingly, retention strategies that focus on these two key areas, including academic interventions and a sense of belonging, are critical to a studentโ€™s success. Developing actionable plans to identify students in need and implement supportive programs greatly improves student retention rates by helping struggling students not only to get back on track, but integrate themselves as active, integral members in their campus communities.

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26 Tips for Hosting a Successful & Engaging Virtual Student Orientation

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26 Tips for Hosting a Successful & Engaging Virtual Student Orientation

26 Tips for Hosting a Successful & Engaging Virtual Student Orientation

Connect Your Virtual Community! Whether campus life will be in-person, virtual or blended this fall, administrators in charge of welcoming their newest students are charged with a unique challenge in adapting in-person programming and resources into an engaging online format. The stakes are high, too. Welcome Week is typically the first opportunity to build relationships and introduce new students to the culture and traditions of your campus. With this new challenge, though, comes an enormous opportunity to elevate your orientation programming with virtual components that are accessible, engaging and sustainable over the entire onboarding process. With some creativity, innovation and helpful technologies, your virtual orientation can become a truly immersive and enriching experience for your campus community!

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