But according to students and Orientation Leaders, New Saints Orientation often becomes much more than that.
From unexpected friendships to early faculty connections, orientation is designed to help new students feel comfortable, connected, and confident before classes even begin. Here are five things that often surprise students most about the experience.
1. You’ll Probably Leave Knowing More People Than You Expected
One of the biggest worries students have before arriving on campus is whether they’ll make friends quickly. According to Orientation Leaders, that concern usually disappears within the first few hours of a session.
Between small group activities, meals, residence hall interactions, and campus events, students have countless opportunities to connect with classmates who are navigating the exact same transition.
“I believe the smaller group settings help spark conversations that can naturally grow into friendships,” said Joseph DelliSanti, an Orientation Leader and student at Flagler College. “From my experience when I was an incoming student, my orientation session gave me the opportunity to talk to the other students in my group and bond with them.”
Many students arrive knowing no one. By the end of orientation, they often leave with group chats, lunch plans, and familiar faces they can recognize when the semester begins.
2. Orientation Isn’t Just Presentations
While orientation does provide important information about academics, campus resources, and student life, students often discover the experience is much more interactive than they expected.
New Saints participate in activities designed to help them get comfortable on campus, explore St. Augustine, connect with their peers, and learn what life at Flagler feels like beyond the classroom.
Students will also receive their official Flagler College student ID during orientation, helping make the experience feel even more real as they prepare for the semester ahead.
“Flagler College’s Orientation is an interactive and personalized experience,” DelliSanti said. “Instead of doing presentations throughout the whole session, we offer a comprehensive tour that helps students familiarize themselves with the city of St. Augustine and the resources that will be needed throughout their college experience.”
Orientation Leaders say the balance between informational sessions and hands-on experiences helps students feel engaged instead of being overwhelmed.
3. You’ll Meet Faculty Before Classes Begin
For many students, orientation serves as their first opportunity to interact with faculty members outside of the classroom setting.
Whether through academic sessions, program introductions, or informal conversations, students begin building relationships with professors and staff before the first day of classes even arrives.
“Being a smaller school, community is super important to us,” said Bonnie Roberts, who is also an Orientation Leader and student at Flagler College. “I love and value that at Flagler you are not just a number. The staff and faculty here are so thoughtful and caring. If you learn someone’s name, they will learn yours as well. Being able to make some of these connections before classes officially start can make the transition so much easier.”
That early connection can make a major difference in helping students feel more comfortable academically once the semester starts.
4. You’ll Start Building Your College Routine
Orientation is also one of the first chances students have to experience what daily life at Flagler may look like.
From navigating campus buildings to learning dining hall routines and adjusting to residence hall life, students begin developing a sense of independence before move-in weekend arrives.
“Orientation can help students paint the picture of their college career,” Roberts said. “You start to learn about the different organizations and resources on campus; it gives you more to look forward to in the fall. You leave Orientation more well informed and hopefully with some new connections!”
For many incoming Saints, those small moments help ease anxiety about starting college.
5. The Friendships Often Last Beyond Orientation
While orientation only lasts a short time, many of the relationships formed during those first few days continue well into the academic year and beyond.
Orientation Leaders say it is common to see students reconnect with their orientation groups throughout the semester, whether in classes, residence halls, student organizations, or campus events.
“I have seen it and experienced it firsthand,” said Roberts. “I met my current and upcoming roommates at Orientation (shout out to them because I love them!). I am so grateful for the friendships I was able to take with me due to Orientation.”
For some students, the people they meet during orientation become study partners, roommates, teammates, or lifelong friends.
That sense of connection is part of what makes New Saints Orientation such an important part of the Flagler experience. Before classes even begin, students are already starting to build a community.
As incoming Saints prepare to begin their college journey, orientation offers more than schedules and presentations. It offers the chance to begin feeling at home.
