Congratulations on making it in! Entrance exams and MMIs are behind you, and it must feel great. I’m so happy for you and am proud that you’ll join us. I was all over the place before orientation, and I hope these tips will put you at ease for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Don’t come in with expectations

In other words, don’t make orientation stressful for yourself. Everything will happen at the right time and all will be well. Keep your cool and act naturally.

Will I make friends?

Yes, you will make friends- if that concerns you. You’ll find all sorts of personalities at our college, and you’re one interaction away from making a connection.

No, you don’t know who you’ll end up being friends with. Perhaps you already know someone who’s going to be in your cohort but branch out. Your circle could be different by the end of the year, and the year after, and so on. Be open-minded and enjoy hanging out with everyone, even if you don’t know them well.

Don’t overthink

Everyone’s nervous at least a tiny bit and for different reasons. If you call yourself the world’s leading expert in making bad first impressions, chances are that whoever you’re talking to is busy thinking of the impression they’re leaving on you. If you keep that in mind, why would you worry about anything?

If you’re not social by nature, ‘fake it till you make it’ works as well- but it goes without saying that you absolutely don’t need to overwhelm yourself or rush things.

Create a playlist

If music is your thing and you connect to it, choose some songs that you’d like to listen to on your way to campus the night before. It doesn’t have to be thematic but make it something that you’ll remember.

Wear comfortable clothing

Everyone likes to dress to impress! However, make sure you’re okay with moving around in what you’re wearing, too. If you’re not used to wearing something, now’s not the time to test it out. I think that this is a straightforward tip.

Interact with the student ushers

Everyone at MBRU – especially the students who volunteer to show up for orientation – really, really, really wants to welcome you!

Your seniors will be your mentors and friends; and you will probably stay in touch for a long time. I formed friendships with my seniors through orientation and through other ways like extracurriculars, which brings me to the next point…

Be proactive (and make it worthwhile)

Everyone is thankful for someone who takes initiative, and it reflects well on you.

Consider the opportunities that you can take -or create- to be involved in developing the tight-knit culture of our college. This is one of the biggest advantages of being an MBRU student!

You can be the one to start a conversation with someone, create a shared OneDrive for study resources, plan an on-campus event, or help out with clubs (or start a new one). Whatever it is that you decide to do, carry that on throughout your time at the College of Medicine.

Studies will take up a lot of your time, but you’re spending most of the next six years as a student, so you might as well have a good time while you’re at it. It’s a lot easier than you think to have something to your medical school experience that’s not academics or research. Over the years, taking a chance on these prospects will lead you to make new friends, build a support system, and create lots of memories. These little things build up and it massively improves the quality of student life for everyone.

Take a breather

Before you head out to campus, have some alone time. The situation isn’t too dramatic but reflect on how this is a new phase of your life that’s about to begin. Orientation is not the time to stress over medical things and studying- you can start doing that the week after.

Perhaps you want to stare at the ceiling before rolling out of bed, look out the kitchen window while you have your breakfast, or maybe you’d like to journal about it on your phone. Whatever works.

It’s all good now. It’s a blank slate you’re looking at, no contexts, nothing. It’s just another day. Go on out!