Few freshmen can forget their arrival on move-in day, when a hoard of upperclassmen in neon shirts ambush their cars to help them move into their new dorms. These first-year advisory counselors facilitate freshmen's transition to college life and provide advice on everything from the best classes and eateries to making Duke feel like home. Seniors Andres Camino and Jay Rathinavelu, who serve as FAC Board co-chairs, shared their tips for navigating O-week and beyond with The Chronicle.
The Chronicle: What is your favorite part of Orientation Week?
Andres Camino: I honestly think the best part of Orientation week is move-in day. There’s so much energy—it’s so exciting to have all the first-years on campus. It’s their first look at Duke life and everyone’s out there having a good time. I love it so much.
Jay Rathinavelu: I agree, I think move-in day is probably the highest energy day of the experience. It’s really cool seeing a lot of first years come in and all of a sudden they’re just overwhelmed by this large group of people in highlighter color shirts… Everyone’s laughing and there’s music playing and everyone’s excited to be there.
TC: What do you think is the biggest worry freshmen have and how should they handle that?
JR: The thing from my experience is worrying about not making friends. Going to eat alone or ending Orientation Week and still having no one that I could hangout with...is a very understandable fear. The biggest thing is just to attend as many of the events as you can during Orientation Week because a lot of the events are tailored to help facilitate conversations and help individuals meet new people. Another thing would just be to stay in your dorm and meet some of the people that you’ll be living with because you’re going to be with them all year, and it’s a great time to just hangout in the common room and meet new friends.
AC: A big worry that I think a lot of first-years have is a scary outlook on college. Like they come in and are like, ‘I’m going to be a first-year and there are already all of these upperclassmen who know how college works and I don’t want to get in their way’ So I really think it’s nice to have the FAC program with upperclassmen who can be like, ‘It’s okay, we’ve all been there.’
TC: What is the best way to meet new people during Orientation Week? Which events do you absolutely recommend attending?
AC: Well, definitely the mandatory ones. I would also say the carnival on the first night is a really awesome to meet people. It’s everyone’s first night and there’s a ton of fun games. It’s actually where I ended up meeting my best friend at Duke.
JR: I agree, the carnival is a fantastic time. Also the mandatory events, because a lot of those events have the more intimate and serious topics that students will be experiencing at Duke. And afterwards there are discussions that are opportunities for students to be vulnerable and to really be genuine with one another outside of the standard get-to-know-you questions.
TC: What was your most embarrassing moment during O-week?
AC: I had to go to my advisor meeting in the International House and I had to get off the bus on Central and I didn’t really understand which stop to get off on. So I ended up getting off the bus [at the wrong location]. It was so hot and I was sweating and I felt so embarrassed. But then I got there and my advisor was so nice and she ended up driving me back to my dorm.
JR: My toughest one was at the carnival. You know how they have pie and cake? Well, that year I was really excited about the pie. But as I was eating the pie, I tripped and the pie flies everywhere and it’s all over me. Everyone around just looks at me, and I thought I was going to have to transfer. But it was actually great because everyone came around and was laughing at me dropping the pie—well, I hope they were laughing with me. But those people ended up being in my dorm, and we became friends and still bring it up.
TC: What was something that you wish you had known as a freshman?
JR: That other people are probably just as scared as I am. When I came to college I was very intimidated because I’m from Pennsylvania, so this was far away from home and I was really nervous about being here on my own. But upon talking to other people, I realized a lot of other people were also scared and I think that had I known that, I wouldn’t have been so intimidated or hard on myself.
AC: Well definitely for me, knowing how the bus stops work. And then that when people say to just join random clubs, actually do it. Looking back, you can join a lot of organizations and clubs and if you don’t fit, you don’t have to go to it anymore. People won’t have hard feelings, and that’s how you end up finding new things that you really love.
TC: What's the best place to get food on and off campus?
AC: I’m a huge proponent of Heavenly Buffaloes. And then on campus, my favorite is the Devil’s Krafthouse.
JR: One of my favorites is Parlour Ice Cream. They have tiramisu ice cream there, which is amazing. On campus, I like Blue Express.
TC: Do you have any tips for living on a college budget?
JR: A big thing is using your Marketplace swipes and understanding how they work and also just to go to Marketplace whenever you can—it’s a buffet.
AC: And everyone else goes to Marketplace, so you’ll see the same people and you can make friends with them. Especially in the first week, just go up to tables and ask if you can sit with them. But my number one tip is downloading the Duke app and then you can find any event that has free food. You can save so much money, and go to these amazing events and meet new people.
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