The incoming class of 2014 participated in this fall’s new student orientation, which included guided tours of the campus and the city of Oakland.
Along with learning Mills academic procedures, meetings with advisers and registering for classes, new students also took part in bonding activities in order to get to know their new class and hall mates.
The outings around Oakland seem to have been a highlight of orientation for many new students.
“My favorite part has been the excursion…being able to explore Oakland by bus” said first year Jessica Knapp.
Students were impressed by the quality of conversation and the sense of camaraderie they felt.
“I like how everybody is very friendly and always answers your questions” said first year Kate Harslem.
The first day of orientation ended with the traditional candle-lighting ceremony, during which new students wrote down their wishes for themselves, their classmates and the world. The wishes were then hung in the trees above, written on matching green paper–green being the class color for 2014.
Their wishes for the world ranged from environmental consciousness to a cure for cancer.
One student’s wish for herself was “to change the way children see learning”, another, “to find courage and strength”.
