Orientation Week, or O-Week, is an experience that defines every student's time at Rice. It's a transition period where new Owls can ask pressing questions about life at Rice, become familiar with our traditions and culture, and make new friends before classes get busy. This year, I had the opportunity to serve as an O-Week advisor. During a time that is bittersweet, advisors help to comfort students as they leave behind what they know and step into their new home.

Advisors are required to arrive a week earlier than students for training week. During this time, we get to know our advising team, decorate our residential colleges, and attend diversity & inclusion panels and trainings. This week equips us with the skills and the support system necessary to become successful advisors, and my favorite part was making new friends with my co-advisors. 

The week flew by and before we knew it, the big day had arrived! I was on the "hype squad" and greeted new students as they pulled up in front of Jones for the first time. Seeing their confused, eager expressions reminded me of my own joy and bewilderment the year before, and it was incredibly emotional for me to come full circle. 

During O-Week, we also walked students through the process of choosing classes and introduced them to resources they could use on campus. We shared the customs and quirks that make Rice (and Jones College!) unique, and I watched as the students in my group began to reveal their personalities. I felt such a sense of pride in how quickly they adjusted to college life and the challenges it had already posed; they had already begun to form a supportive community!

Being an O-Week advisor was a validating experience and allowed me to display mentorship abilities that I did not know I possessed. For anyone interested in advising (or even if this is not on your radar yet), I cannot recommend this experience enough. Every ounce of effort you put in is worth it when you realize how much of an impact you've made! 

- Navya, Jones '27 (Published on 9/26/2024)