Each year, a new flock of freshmen lands at Iowa State, bringing with them not only Easy Mac and shower sandals but also worries and nerves for a new stage of life.

One way the university attempts to ease these apprehensions is through Destination Iowa State, an orientation program designed to help freshmen and other new students learn about Iowa State.

The annual program gives students a chance to meet people with whom they will be living, learning and playing while becoming acquainted with Iowa State and educated in being a successful college student.

This year, about 3,100 students signed up for Destination Iowa State, although fewer actually attended all the sessions. Many students chose to use their time in other ways — by shopping, exploring campus on their own or just hanging out in their dorms.

Heather Fischer, New Student Programs coordinator, said she expects some students not to attend all sessions because the program’s structure may not be enjoyable or necessary for everyone. Those involved in the greek system, marching band or ROTC may have already found the sense of family and familiarity Destination Iowa State seeks to create, making attendance unnecessary, she said. For those without a “family,” however, the program provides a chance to build connections.

Though all students are encouraged to participate in the events, attendance isn’t strictly enforced, because doing so may interfere with the program’s informal atmosphere, Fischer said.

Free food, games and goofy hats

The event began with a picnic Thursday evening at the Iowa State Center. Participants — most wearing matching ISU T-shirts — divided into small groups led by upperclassmen team leaders. Students ate, played carnival games, sported cardinal and gold balloon hats and picked up free stuff from sponsors and advertisers.

After eating, the new students filed into Hilton Coliseum where “Jock Jams” music and ISU administration introduced them to “Hilton Magic.”

They were welcomed in person by Thomas Hill, vice president for student affairs; and Sophia Magill, president of the Government of the Student Body, while ISU President Gregory Geoffroy greeted new students in a pre-recorded video. Geoffroy was out of town during the event.

Hill encouraged students to ask questions of their leaders and said that he expected everybody present to return to Hilton in four or five years for graduation ceremonies. Magill prodded students to make the most of their college experience and to get involved in activities and student government.

As in years past, motivational speaker Will Keim shared his 10 ways “to set the banquet table for the feast for the rest of your life” — encouraging students to be first a scholar and to find balance in life.

His most important piece of advice for being successful in college echoed Magill’s suggestion: to find a passion.

“Find something you love to do and learn to do it well enough that someone will pay you to do it,” Keim advised.

Jeff Johnson, Alumni Association director, welcomed students to the Cyclone family before introducing the ISU marching band to teach a few cheers for the upcoming football season. Then the matching T-shirts became teaching tools, as students learned the fight song conveniently printed on the back.

The first day closed with Playfair — a national team-building program — at the Lied Recreation Center. The two hours of icebreaker activities let loose inner children, as the new students jumped, screamed, roared and laughed their way into new acquaintances. Their first task was to sort themselves by birth month in 93 seconds — not an easy task when it involves more than 3,000 people.

Next, participants formed a close circle and simultaneously sat on the laps of the people behind them so that the group as a whole supported each other. With that stage mastered, the circle attempted to walk. The activity worked to build a supportive community by forcing students to cooperate and trust their new friends, said Scott Johnson, Playfair facilitator.

“It was an interesting experience landing on the laps of people you’d never seen before,” said Ashley Ellis, Destination Iowa State team leader.

Lessons on ISU survival

Friday brought educational sessions, providing participants opportunities to learn about vital aspects of life at Iowa State. Attendance at these sessions was down from the previous night, as students skipped the education component in favor of other activities.

Afton McGreer, freshman in pre-computer science, attended sessions because she wanted information that would help her do well at Iowa State, she said. Theresa Andersen, freshman in meteorology, said she went because most people were going.

One session, “We have to Pay for That?” dealt with financial planning skills. McGreer and Andersen agreed the session proved helpful. McGreer said she liked hearing about credit cards and their potential pitfalls, and Andersen appreciated the money-saving tips.

“In the financial session, they really made you realize how much money you spend on things you don’t need,” Andersen said.

For the first time, Destination Iowa State worked with the office of Minority Student Affairs to add a session dealing with diversity issues on campus. “Strange Like Me” used a theater/talk show atmosphere to make students more comfortable with differences.

Apprehension over interaction with faculty was one reason behind the “Your Passport to Success” session. It gives new students an opportunity to lessen their trepidation about faculty and staff by actually speaking with a professor, said Julie Geistkemper, graduate assistant in New Student Programs.

“Professors and staff are human beings. We liked college so much, we’re still here,” said Dayle Nickerson, student service specialist.

One session was led by Nickerson and Nancy Meredith, associate professor of human development and family studies.

Meredith advised students to not be afraid of asking questions.

“There should be no question that can’t be answered at this university,” she said.

Meredith shared her tips for making the first year a success in “Mom Nancy’s Advice.” Among her tidbits were: Get up early and eat a good breakfast. Go to class early enough to get a good place. Start your homework the first week and read the first chapter of every book before class. Keep up with assignments. Write to grandma. Have fun. Make some lifelong friends.

Along with advice on how to succeed as students, came warnings against ways to fail.

“You need to go to class. You need to get there on time,” Meredith said. “Someone paid for that class.”

Classroom etiquette plays a part too. Don’t talk to friends, sleep, snore, read the newspaper or pack up early and always turn off cell phones when in class, she said. Professors notice more than many students think.

“Professors notice you. They know who hasn’t shown up all those times,” she said.

Other sessions included “Clone Quest,” which helped acclimate new students to campus through a campus scavenger hunt, and “Campus Connection,” a tutorial on computer services including WebMail, WebCT and AccessPlus.

Picking and choosing activities

Although many students attended most of the activities, some students chose to attend only pieces of Destination Iowa State. Ellis, a team leader, said the decision to attend sessions varied from person to person.

“I would imagine that the reason people stopped coming was because students got bored because it is repetitive from orientation. All the sessions were the same,” she said.

Roommates Luke Royer, freshman in political science, and Jonathan Holst, freshman in electrical engineering, attended Thursday night’s activities but skipped Friday’s educational sessions. Both agreed with Ellis that much of the information presented was repeated from orientation.

Holst said he liked the motivational speeches at the official welcome at Hilton Coliseum. He said he particularly liked when Hill told the crowd to look around because these are the people they would be graduating with.

Holst said the program did help him feel more like a part of Iowa State.

“Most kids are pretty nervous when they first get here,” he said. “This kind of helps you out, meeting new people and learning what college is all about.”

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Destination Iowa State photo gallery