Making the transition to a college student can be a daunting, anxiety-filled experience during that first year. It is not uncommon for new students fresh out of high school, from a different country, or even coming back to school after a long absence to struggle with managing their academic requirements, social life, and future goals while living in Hawaii and attending this university. Homesickness, culture shock, and being unaware of the expectations required at BYU–Hawaii all can contribute to a stressful transition to campus and college life. A new online video series developed by students, faculty and staff at BYU–Hawaii is set to help with the transition to college life at the Laie, Hawaii campus.
In April 2011, the university’s President’s Council commissioned a task force to assemble a video series for new, admitted students to view in preparation for their experience at BYU–Hawaii. The Pre-campus Online Orientation videos go through the information necessary to help new students feel more confident and better prepared for the spiritual and secular learning they will gain while studying here. There are 21 videos from different departments on campus (approximately 3 minutes each) that explain everything from how to get advice about your future career to where you can pick up your mail and find the closest food establishments.
“I didn’t know where anything was as a freshman,” said Maye Wimmer, senior from Palo Alto, California. “I definitely would have benefited that first year by knowing more about campus life before coming to school.” Maye, like many incoming freshmen, had to catch on quickly upon arrival. The Pre-campus Online Orientation videos hope to help with this by educating new students before they walk onto campus.
Access to the new Pre-campus Online Orientation videos is granted to new students once they are admitted to the university. They use their CES NET ID to log in and typically will have two to three months to watch the videos and answer questions on each before they arrive on campus. All incoming students will need to complete the orientation to receive their student ID when they arrive on campus. There is also a Parents and Friends section that allows parents and others to view the videos without needing to log in.
“We are grateful for many departments on campus for their willingness to collaborate and help us get this system completed,” said Jinendra Jinadasa, the university's web architect. “We have been inspired so many times while developing this project and know that it will help many future students and parents.”
As of this writing, since launching the Pre-campus Online Orientation in November there have been over 600 views, and 76 new students have already begun their orientation series.
For more information and to view the Pre-campus Online Orientation videos, go to orientation.byuh.edu.