By Olyver LaGabed, Staff Writer
Everyone starts somewhere. Whether that be a new hobby, a new job, or a next step in education, no one begins in the middle of their journey – no one begins knowing all there is to know about the road ahead – in fact, most people start not knowing anything at all. We as humans understand that, especially in the context of our educational lives, we all start from the ground and aim to build up. But how does one go about building up? For many students taking their first steps into college life with Pellissippi State Community College, this seems to be the question that begs an answer. College can be confusing, scary, and oftentimes overwhelming for those who are fresh out of high school or otherwise have not pursued a higher level of education – these things are especially true when approached without the right guidance or starting point. Luckily for students here at Pellissippi State, there is a solution.
The New Student Orientation is an opportunity for students to be introduced to Pellissippi State Community College and the things that we have to offer as a program. During one of the many dates available for New Student Orientation, students are introduced to their student leaders, their campus, and to each other as they take the next step in their education. In other words, New Student Orientation is a starting point for many students attending Pellissippi State.
This year, similar to orientations held in the past, there was a slew of rotating resources available for students taking their first steps – anything from Pellissippi State’s Academic Tutoring Center to Pellissippi’s Pantry and Garden organization. In fact, we here at Imaginary Gardens even had our own table for the very first time! One of our staff writers, Carlie Abbott, describes the experience as such:
“I had the privilege of working at New Student Orientation events at Pellissippi State campuses across Knoxville, representing Imaginary Gardens. Getting to know incoming students, sharing Imaginary Gardens‘ purpose and mission, along with the joy it has brought to staff members’ college experience, was something I will hold close to my heart. Aside from getting students familiar with Imaginary Gardens as it pertains to their college and their peers, a few students wanted to be a bigger part of IG and signed up for our staff- how cool is that?! While this was the first summer that IG had a table and got this face-to-face interaction with incoming students, I hope it is not the last! Outside of recruiting new staff members, I got to introduce readers to our mission, knowing that IG provides something for every type of reader!”
Beyond informational booths and resources, this year’s New Student Orientation also allowed students attending Pellissippi State to become more comfortable with their surrounding campus and with each other as they toured it with some of our Panther Mentors. In doing this, Pellissippi State Community College gives students the opportunity to begin connecting and growing with one another as students and as people. When it comes to community college, ironically, many students are often left feeling as if there is a lack of community – which is what makes Pellissippi State’s New Student Orientation so unique, as it not only educates students on what their resources are with us, but it also allows them to build connections immediately going into their new careers as college students. Our lovely staff writer Carlie also comments on this, describing her own experience with New Student Orientation as a freshman:
“Overall, Resource Fairs, along with Orientation for incoming students, are something I found to be very valuable, not only in my own experience as a Pellissippi State student, but I saw how helpful and eye-opening it was to others. If I had that face-to-face with an IG staff member when I was a freshman at Pellissippi State, I would’ve begun reading the journal much earlier and joined the staff much earlier too! I hope that Imaginary Gardens continues to meet students where they are, and over this summer I have learned that Resource Fairs are a great place to start.”
Starting something new can be scary. It’s scary to not immediately know the next step or to not have the right footing when walking into a new chapter of life – which is exactly why New Student Orientation is so important for students going into the new school year. Whether it is beneficial as an area for resources, a tour guide, or even just a place to meet new people and organizations, New Student Orientation has helped pave the road new students travel for years, and it continues to do so by teaching new students about each and every great opportunity Pellissippi State Community College has to offer.
