1. The Modified 5 “F”s of Making Friends
Haydee Reyes
Tiger Impact Student Director
Daniel Fisher
Golden Beginnings Team Leader
Being More Normal: Clark Kent is Just as Important as Superman
John Gettemeyer
Graduate Assistant for Extended Orientation & Transition Initiatives
Fort Hays State University
FOUND THIS COOL ARTICLE FROM NYU WITH REFERENCES BUT IDK HOW TO USE IT
Overview
Future Actions
Future Actions
Welcome Leaders
The Modified 5 “F”s of Making Friends
During the preparation for Tiger Impact 2016 the students chosen to serve as Welcome Leaders went through training before the arrival of the incoming freshman and transfer students and a common trend was seen: most Welcome Leaders were extroverts and full of energy, but very few who were natural introverts. After noticing this we realized that although being able to keep the incoming student’s energy up throughout the weekend, some of the Welcome Leaders struggled with connecting with those students who were more laid back and easy going and that is why it is important to go back to the drawing board and train Welcome Leaders to stray from a “one activity fits all” mentality.
The Scripted Orientation Leader
Providing a list or script to Welcome Leaders is a good way to prepare them for possible interactions throughout their day – This is not to hinder authentic conversations but rather as a way to prepare them with possibilities for conversations.
Welcome Leaders have the freedom to go “off script” if needed.
Using a script can be beneficial, but being able to read cues from the group of students Welcome Leaders work with is key.
The “Cheerleader” Orientation Leader
Having a Welcome Leader that can energize and bring up the mood of the team is a great asset.
It is important to explain that some people within the team and incoming students will not be as animated in their excitement– and that is okay.
Keeping your energy up at all times is exhausting and it is important to maintain open communication with your team members and let them know that they do not have to pretend that everything is perfect all the time.
It is Okay to be “Normal”
As a Welcome Leader you are provided with tools, including icebreakers, to help you ease into building relationships with your students, however it is important to not just focus on the script –pay attention to the needs of your students.
Let them know you are empowering them to use said tools to address their group based on their needs because there is no “one activity fits all.”
A Welcome Leader does not have to “stay in character” all day. It is perfectly acceptable to let down their guards and show that they are humans. These genuine acts can sometimes attract students and can help Welcome Leaders better connect with their groups.
The 5 “F”s of making friends is a tool to remind Welcome Leaders how to start conversations outside of “What is your major?” These are conversations that lead students to connect with one another over similar interests and experiences. We modified the 5 “F”s with a sixth area that is useful during orientation and welcome week programs.
Family/Friends: Ask about their family. What do their parents/ guardians do? Where do their friends go to college? Who they want to meet or people they want to become friends with at school?
Favorites: What is their favorite sport, game, color, food, book, etc.? A great conversation starter to get the group comfortable.
Firsts: Ask about the first time they did different events. When was the first time you traveled? The first movie you remember seeing in a theater? First day of elementary, middle, or high school?
Fun: What do you like to do for fun? What activities were you involved in during high school? What events would you like to become involved?
From: Where are you from? Where were you born? Where did you grow up? Provide opportunities to connect similar experiences from living in small towns. Students from big metropolitan areas can connect on city they live near.
Fears: As the students have warmed up to each other, allow them to share what they are worried about in regards to classes, making friends, joining organizations, living away from home, etc.
Photo Credits: Bob Duffy
Research
Photo Credits: Emily Garcia
Effective communication skills are critical when being an Orientation Leader. As told by Morreale, Osborn and Pearson, “Oral communication competence can contribute to individuals’ social adjustment and participation in satisfying interpersonal relationships,” which is the overall goal of when helping transition incoming students into our universities. Being able to create lasting relationships with students will help build trust with the students OLs work with. Senson, Nordstrom, and Hiester discuss the importance friend formation has in helping new students to adjust to the college environment. We can play a more active role in the development of these peer interactions.
Future Actions
References
Morreale, Sherwyn P., Judy C. Pearson, and Michael M. Osborn. "Why Communication
Education Is Important: The Centrality of the Discipline in the 21st Century.“
Communication Education 57.2 (2008): Web.
Senson, L. A., Nordstrom, A., & Hiester, M. (2008). The role of peer relationships in adjustment
to college. Journal of College Student Development, 49(6), Retrieved February 26,
2017, from
The 5 "F" ways to get to know new people. (2010, August 3). Retrieved February 26, 2017,
from
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Photo Credits: Bob Duffy