Everyone remembers the hot, sweaty walks and nervous anticipation of UCF orientation. But what stands out in most students’ minds is the one part of orientation that no other school provides: the UCF Orientation Team.
The group is known as the O-Team for short, and according to its website, it’s “comprised of selected students whose main goal is to help facilitate both first-time-in-college as well as transfer student orientations.” They are the University’s orientation staff. Without them and their knowledge of all things UCF, our prospective students would be lost in more ways than one.
Video from O-Team 2009 During UCF Freshmen Dinner
But who are the O-Team members? Why do they do what they do? And most importantly, what should those new students expect when they arrive at the orientation for the first time, ready to discover UCF?
To find these answers KnightNews.com went straight to the source and spoke with several O-Team members about why, how and what they provide for the University.
KnightNews.com spoke first with Monica Ware, an energetic junior with six months of O-Team service under her belt. When asked why she joined the team, her answer was immediate.
“I’m really passionate about being here, and I really enjoy being a student. We have so many resources and programs here and I wanted to show that to new students.”
UCF plays host to more than 350 student clubs and organizations, so her point is well taken.
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Ware also talked about the O-Team’s application process.
“First you have to submit an application, then there’s a group interview where all the team members ask you questions. Then there’s a professional interview with the directors,” she said. “They surprise you when you make the team, it’s really cool.”
According to Director Joe Richie, the O-Team has been accepting candidates this way for over ten years. All members are required to take the Peer Education and Leadership course, and O-Teamers attend various team retreats and group-strengthening exercises.
Ware explained that the activities and classes make the O-Team “a really spirited, close-knit, passionate group of kids.”
KnightNews.com also interviewed junior Alex Harrison, another O-Teamer with six months of experience. His reason for joining O-Team is something almost all incoming students can relate to.
“I went to a really small, conservative high school with a graduating class of about 38, so coming to UCF was a little scary for me,” he said. “But I had a great orientation experience, and it made me immediately want to get involved.”
KnightNews.com asked Harrison to give prospective students one word of advice about coming to orientation. Right off the bat, he said: “Be open-minded! Coming to UCF is scary, but the O-Team is really welcoming.”
Tess Lynch, a Student Orientation Coordinator who’s been with O-Team for over two years, agreed. Her first O-Team experience is similar to Harrison’s.
“I’m from out of state, so when I first came to UCF, I didn’t know anyone,” Lynch said. “O-Team made my transition really smooth, and I really felt like I was a part of the campus. Orientation was a great stepping stone for me”.
What did these student leaders say incoming freshmen from the UCF Class of 2014 should expect from orientation?
Lynch said that the key is to remain open-minded.
“Expect to embrace new ideas, and to keep an open mind,” Harrison said. “Don’t be overwhelmed, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Most of the new students feel the same apprehensiveness you do.”
The other O-Teamers were eager to contribute their advice as well.
Ware explained that incoming students should “definitely know their class schedules, and be really open with the other students.”
“Get in touch with organizations and groups right away,” Ware added.
Harrison said the most important thing is to always have something to contribute.
“It’s not the same as high school, and you’ll have to connect with really diverse groups,” he said, adding that he senses the most important concept is to remain flexible and open-minded toward the opportunities UCF provides.
And what kind of impact does the O-Team have on incoming freshmen?
“A huge one!” Ware said. “O-Team is really motivating, and we give out a lot of good information. UCF has so many opportunities, and we’re here to share them all”.
It appears, based on her passionate answer, that UCF’s O-Team is not your average student/staff group. This energetic, motivated team provides incoming freshmen with their first look at what life will be like for the next four years at the nation’s third largest university.
KnightNews.com wants to know: Are you looking forward to orientation? If you’ve gone, how was your experience and what do you remember about it? Feel free to comment below and share your experience with other new Knights.
