SLU 101 Helps New Students Become SLU Students

SLU 101 Helps New Students Become SLU Students

At SLU 101, incoming students spend time on campus, meet fellow Billikens in person - and get all their questions about Saint Louis University answered.

SLU 101 summer orientation is the first time many people come to campus as official Saint Louis University students. Before, they were visitors or admitted students. But at SLU 101, the transition to college gets real.

That might sound like high stakes, but actually SLU 101 is designed to ease students into life at the University, giving them the knowledge and tools to succeed on campus and in their education. Maybe most importantly, the program helps them meet fellow Billikens.

"They should know they're not alone," SLU 101 leader Diego Garcia said. "Every student goes through the same emotions starting something new. Luckily, SLU has so many resources to meet each student's needs. In my opinion, it starts with their SLU 101 leader. We mean it when we say that we're here for them throughout college and beyond."

Declan Eddings, a SLU 101 leader studying psychology and Spanish, put it this way: "I let them know that Saint Louis University is going to be there for them, no matter what."

Garcia and Eddings are among the nearly 20 current SLU students who spend the summer orienting the incoming class. Eddings wanted to be a SLU 101 leader because he had such a wonderful experience at his own orientation last year.

"I also wanted to meet all of the new students and let them know that everyone is excited to have them here," he said.

Orientation Options

Every incoming student must attend a SLU 101 session. This year, there are eight dates for freshmen and three tailored to transfer students.

Freshmen choose from two SLU 101 options. The first offers a full day of programming, an overnight stay in Grand Hall and the conclusion of the session the following day at noon.

"For me, late night is the best part. The students are in Grand Hall, and there's karaoke, Just Dance, board games and a little game we call 'Signs.' Late night is when the magic happens. Students and leaders begin to make genuine connections that can last throughout in college," Garcia said.

The alternative - a one-day program - features a day of activities with an optional overnight stay on campus the night prior. It's a good fit for those who might have limited time to come to campus over the summer.

Either way, participants get to meet other incoming students and members of the SLU community, learn to navigate campus and familiarize themselves with the resources the University offers.

"We know having familiar faces in the crowd when they return in August will help ease the nerves and make SLU feel even more welcoming," Susan Fanale, SLU's director of orientation, said.

They also get their SLU ID and draft class schedule for the fall semester, as well as information about academic advising and course registration.

Answering Everyone's Questions

Families are encouraged to attend SLU 101, with parts of the program designed specifically for them. Parents, guardians and other relatives will learn what they can do to help prepare for their student's first semester at SLU and development as an adult learner.

"SLU 101 takes care of getting all their questions answered and helps the family feel confident sending their student to SLU," Fanale said.

Eddings said he's happy to answer all student questions.

"The best part of the program is the peer group sessions. We get to connect to our students and play games," he said. "They tend to have lots of questions - about their dorm rooms, what they can bring, what they cannot bring."

"I want to be a useful resource to the first-year students," Garcia said. "I would like to be part of the reason they succeed in the future."

That success starts with a positive orientation experience.

"Whether a student is excited or anxious about starting at SLU, we want them to come away from SLU 101 feeling just a little bit more confident that they can find their place in the SLU community and be successful as a Billiken," Fanale said.