Why is Orientation important?

What all am I supposed to do at Orientation?

These may be a few questions hanging out in your brain. Hopefully, we can shed a little light on the glory of Orientation.

If you are an incoming freshmen (class of 2018! what up!?) and have registered for the the June or July 2 day Orientation, then here are somethings that you can expect:

• Get a feel for your new home - you’ll be staying in a Residence Hall, dining at campus eateries, roaming all over campus, and learning where all of the hang out spots are. Quick Tip: if you want to room with a specific person, show up at check-in at the same time.

• Meet new people – Not only will you be meeting your future classmates, but you’ll be meeting/interacting with current students, faculty, and the admissions staff. You will be a part of an Orientation small group with an Orientation Leader. This group of OLs is so much fun! They have been prepping to lead you and get you acquainted with all of the ins and outs of MC life.

• Have the best time ever - Now this one is going to be entirely up to you. Our theme for Orientation, which you’ll learn more about later, is You Are Here. We want to encourage you to fully be here! Fully embrace your new home with the attitude of “I’m all in!” For your MC experience to be the absolute best, you’ll want to get involved. Orientation is a great place to start! Meet current students and ask them questions about how you can be involved. Ask them to share their favorite MC memories! They’ll gladly tell you! Fully participate in your small group discussion and activities. Don’t just sit off on the sidelines, get in there! You don’t have to wait until August to start living the MC life!

I can’t believe our first Orientation is next week! It’s going to be a blast!

Look out for more informative posts about what to bring, etc. You can ask questions about Orientation or anything admissions related by tweeting at us at @mc_admissions.

Blessings,
JJ

We love it that parents want to be involved in your Orientation and we’ve got plenty of activities that are parent centered.

Thursday before dinner both you and your parents will have the opportunity to talk with your academic adviser. Parents are not allowed to go to registration/advising with you the next day, so this is their chance to learn about classes and the registration process as well as ask questions.

After dinner, we will be having a special worship night just for parents. While you go to your Orientation small group with your awesome OL (Orientation Leader) your parents will be worshiping and lead in devotion and prayer by our campus ministries (BSU, RUF, Lighthouse Ministries, etc).

This will be a wonderful time that you don’t want your mom and/or dad to miss out on!

Saturday, you’re parents are more than welcome to put on their workout gear and go on the Clinton Walk or Quad+Fit (Cross fit on the Quad).

We’ll have breakfast in Anderson Hall at 9:00 am and then a Student Panel Q&A and and Administrative Q&A.

Last year both panels were extremely helpful! Our students love sharing their MC experiences and will be answering questions about student life.

In the administrative panel parents will be able to ask questions to representatives from Financial Aid, Campus Security, Admissions, the Business Office, Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, and Career Services.

So. Tell your parents that we have plenty of things that they need to be a part of while you’re living it up Orientation style!

Can’t wait!

-JJ

We’ll hang from 9:00-11:00 eating snacks from Hampsteads, playing games in the Healthplex (dodgeball, pool, ping pong, racquetball), dancing in the Piazza, have Karaoke in the Commons,

pose in the photo booth with your friends,

and hang out with the Clubs and Tribes. There will be active members of all 9 of the clubs and tribes for you to talk with and ask questions about club and tribe life. They are here to get to know you!

Seriously, it is one of the best nights ever. Get ready.

Your Orientation Expert,

JJ

You’re not in Kansas anymore, Dorothy.

That was my exact thought walking into the dorm for orientation check-in 3 years ago. I had always had my own bedroom on the other side of the house from the family, and mom was always there to call me when dinner was ready. Today, I moved into a room with a stranger and was hustled off to the caf at Mississippi College for dinner, where I got to choose what I wanted.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t terrified.

HOWEVER,

If there is one thing you should remember at Orientation, it’s this: Everyone is in the same boat. You’re coming to college as a freshman, leaving your parents home, and you’re about to make your own life.

Actually, there is one more thing you should always remember, and I quote the wonderful Amy Poehler on this, “You can’t look stupid if you’re having fun!” Orientation is designed and planned for you to have a blast, and that’s exactly what I did! Party on the piazza was amazing. I learned so many names and met so many friends that I forgot I was ever scared of this.

The three amigos, back in the day

Even better than that was the Late-night Lobby party. This was truly a life-changing experience. Getting to hang out and talk with other girls and realize that I wasn’t the only one who was scared of change was so refreshing.

Making friends in a photobooth!

The next morning was registration time. Also not helping with my nerves was the fact that I hadn’t chosen a major. I felt so behind. Luckily that feeling didn’t last long. Mississippi College truly has some of the most encouraging faculty and staff I have ever met. As Junior, I am now a history major and communications minor, but back then I had no idea what I wanted to do with myself, and everyone assured me it was perfectly normal. Whether you have decided to be a doctor, lawyer, teacher, missionary, or if you still have no idea, your adviser will make sure you get in the classes you need to have to graduate on time.

Edward Moak, your SGA president!

I was blessed to have Edward Moak as my orientation leader. You’ll get to know Edward, and you’ll realized why I was so excited to have him as my guide! Another key piece of advice: Your orientation leader is your go-to person (besides your adviser!). He/She will be able to answer almost any question you have about MC or calm any remaining nerves you have about your transition from high school to college.

One of these awesome people will be your orientation leader!

Believe it or not, I was sad to reconvene with my parents at noon for lunch and dismissal. I had found a great friend in the girl I stayed with at orientation, and found a group of people I would definitely be seeing more of once I officially moved in. How could it possibly get any better?! Trust me friend, orientation is just the beginning of your amazing college experience at Mississippi College.

Just to recap:

• Everyone is in the same boat
  
• Have fun!
• Trust your orientation leader/adviser
• Make friends
• Remember your toothbrush (I had to run to the gas station…)

Also, if you have any questions, tweet them at us!: @mc_admissions

See you at orientation!!

-Molly

I just got some free music from @(Insert band name here) on @noisetrade.Download it here: http://noisetrade.com/fun/selections-b-sides-from-aim-

If you’re like me, these have probably caught your attention. I love music, and FREE MUSIC is always awesome and Noisetrade is a great place to find it! Noisetrade is awesome for two things. First, artists who aren’t “discovered” put their music on Noisetrade wanting to share good music with you (for FREE). Also, as a perk for their fans, well known artists such as fun., Needtobreathe, and Young the Giant put their music on Noisetrade just for you. So you are probably thinking, “how do these artists afford to put their music on  Noisetrade???” Well, think of  Noisetrade like this. You exchange your email address for some free music from fun. Then they come close to where you live and send you and email. You clearly loved their music so you buy a ticket to their show! Since they are now one of your favorite bands you buy a t-shirt and a poster while there. Now you are a full-out fan and you have supported them through the concert and the merchandise in return for a few free songs. The process is awesome. It keeps music artist alive and fills your ears with great tunes! Go check it out here  Noisetrade!

Check out Noisetrade and have an awesome spring break!

-Kenneth, music love and Noisetrade supporter

Sometimes, we need a mountain top. We need a place of rest. Rest from the world. Rest from busyness.
Even rest from our own thoughts.

So often, we walk with our eyes straight ahead, bent on our worldly tasks. However good or bad those tasks may be, they can hinder us from remembering our time with the Lord. The time that we need to stop, be silent, and reflect on Him.

Part of walking in the paths of God means taking a break from walking!!

If we want to walk with God, we first have to learn from Him. How can we learn if we do not sit under a teacher?

God’s desire is to speak to us, but we must make ourselves available and  put ourselves in a position that allows Him to!

Elijah the prophet made himself available to God on the mountain:

 Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.” - I Kings 19:11-12

The passage goes on to describes the instruction that God gave to Elijah through that still small voice.

How beautiful to know that although God can speak in many ways, he often speaks in a quiet whisper that we can only hear when we are silent before Him. Sometimes I have to put down the books, close the laptop, put away the research paper, and rest. Be silent. And NOT feel guilty for it! God desires that I come to him with my weariness and allow Him to refresh me.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2

So this week, take time to be quiet with the Lord. Renew your mind. Soak in some rest. Recharge with His Word. 

- Morgan

NELSON HALL- The big one with a clocktower

• Used mainly for administration and admission purposes
• Home to SWOR, an auditorium
• Also home to some classrooms on second/third floors

BC ROGERS- The one across from Nelson

• Fairly central on campus
• Home to the Cafeteria
• Top floor used for conferences, special dinners, meetings, etc…

JENNINGS/ANNEX-The old 3-story brick by the Kugel

• Beautiful courtyard
• Bottom floor=Modern Languages
• Second floor=History
• Third floor=English/Literature
• Annex is used mainly for history classes

ALUMNI- The other big brick one on the other side of the Kugel

• Bottom floor=Post office and student union
• Main floor houses alumni gym, where lots of events and intramural games are held
• Top floor used for Club and Tribe meetings, CAB stuff, and just rooms for group get togethers upon appointment.

PROVINE CHAPEL-The Chapel in the middle of the Quad

• Bottom floor is most likely where you’ll have Old/New Testament, and any other Bible classes
• Top floor is the sanctuary itself, lots of weddings and MC events happen here

LELAND SPEED LIBRARY- Lots of stepts, across the street from the Quad

• You know, books and stuff.
• Main floor has quiet study areas and the Writing Center
• Top floor has computers, a few classrooms, and study areas.

AVEN-fewer steps, next to the library

• Communications and performing arts building
• A decent sized theater on main floor, and a little one downstairs
• Sometimes local churches will host worship here

SELF HALL-Across the brick street from Aven

• Business hub of MC
• Bottom floor has computer labs, very handy

HEDERMAN SCIENCE BUILDING- The big one by Self and Aven

• Self-explanatory (science building)
• Biology, chemistry, etc…
• Adjacent is the new Medical Sciences building

COCKROFT- the little one by the commuter/faculty lot

• Nursing building
• Also used for kinesiology classes
• Don’t forget health/nutrition courses!

LOWERY- The one by the other Jesus statue

• First floor is for Psychology/Counseling departments
• The rest of it is used as the Education building

A.E. WOOD COLISEUM- The big dome lookin’ thing

• Basketball!
• Graduations!
• Concerts!

To see exactly where all these fine establishments are located on our campus, you can have a look at our campus map!

Hope this helps!

-Molly

I think it’s important for us to follow the plan, or steps, God has laid out for you.  If you don’t know yet where to take the first step, don’t feel crazily overwhelmed– this is normal.  I suggest to be in constant prayer about what life decision you should make.  Following the steps God has laid out for you can be challenging, especially if it seems there are no steps to take.  I encourage you to not be disheartened, but to stay diligent in prayer and wait until your next step is clear to you.  I cannot stress how much I have dealt with this throughout my college life.  From making decisions about what major to choose to what graduate school I want to attend after I graduate– I’ve had to be constantly in prayer just to keep myself sane.

Thinking about what college to go to and what to study is a big deal, and I honestly wish I had given it more thought before I came to college.  People always say you have tons of time to decide what major to choose and it’s not necessary to decide your freshman year.  I do agree with this to some extent, but I believe it’s very important to start getting a feel about what your interests are and what you could see yourself doing as a career.

Getting in this kind of thinking mode can be difficult for young people.  At this time, most of us aren’t too concerned or even looking forward to entering the working world.  This was definitely a problem for me as I had broad interests and didn’t really have a specific career goal my whole life.  Since I was a freshman, I changed my major three or four times (which is relatively normal for most college students) and then once I decided on one, I still didn’t even know what I wanted my actual career to be– and I’ve decided that is perfectly okay.  The transition to (almost) care-free, fun life to a student trying to prepare themselves for the real world can be tough, but I made it by the grace of God.  Like I said, being constantly in prayer and learning more about God really helped me become more diligent and focused on my studies and actually excited (with a teaspoon of nervousness) to work in the real world.

Some people do know exactly what they want to do, whether that’s a doctor or a computer technician, and others (like me) may have a more broad sense or not know at all what they want to do.  I suggest to do some research about different majors and career goals before getting to your college of choice, just to get yourself brainstorming about those decisions now.

MC’s Career Services is something I took advantage of and I hope you will too.  Not only can they help with resumes and interview tips, but they can help you decide what major is best for you.  During Blue & Gold 101 (a Freshman event) you take a personality test that matches you with some different career options.  Career Services also has some really helpful resources about each major MC offers and what careers you can do with it.  I suggest you check this out as it can give some great insight about our programs.

This is Jennifer McGill, the Director of Career Services and she’s totally awesome.  I’ve met with her multiple times to talk about major options and she’s listened to me rant about how I have no idea what I want to do.  She cares about students and is so helpful.  Schedule a meeting with her for sure!

On another note, check out this older blog about how to make the most of your last summer.  It’s important to be thinking about what to study, but don’t tie yourself down too much with worrying about what to choose.  You do have time, so have some fun when you’re not brainstorming about major options.

Matt. 6:34 ‘ Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.’

I’ll be thinking of our incoming freshmen as you guys are transitioning to this life and making big decisions.

- Jordyn

When it comes to new music it’s always refreshing to find someone who’s doing something different.  Mother Falcon is just that:  a refreshing new outlet of orchestral indie music that is sure to impress.  This collective group of 15-20 musicians from Austin, Texas is comprised strings, brass, percussion, and other obscure instruments that give Mother Falcon its delightful sound.  The band just released their second full-length album You Knew.  Check out their song “Dirty Summer” featured on this new album.

- Andrew

Well hello all, the name is Jordyn and I’m a new blogger for the Summer!  I’m ecstatic about this  job and want to give as much information as  I can to help you new students get accustomed to college life by sharing our experiences.  I am incredibly thankful that I ended up at MC because being a student here has helped me grow and learn about myself more than I ever imagined.

So, here is a little about  myself:

-  A senior Interpersonal & Public Communications major (which I love a lot)

- Spanish & Marketing minor

- Open-minded & always up for interesting conversations

- Music enjoyer, specifically a hip-hop head

- Bike & skateboard rider

- Amazed that we have a God who created us & loves us & overwhelms us with grace

It feels like I was a freshman yesterday, and now here I am with only a year left.  Time really does fly, so enjoy and make the most out of your college experience.  Stay tuned in and check out older blog posts to learn more about college life here at MC.

- Jordyn