Two summers ago, I had the chance to serve as a TCU Orientation Leader — and I saw the whole process from the inside out. Now, as a senior, I want to pass along what I wish someone had told me before I showed up for my own first-year orientation. Whether you're packing your bags or still figuring out what to expect, here are five things every incoming student should know before their summer orientation.

1. What should I bring to TCU Orientation? (Yes, pack a towel.)

Part of TCU Orientation involves all students spending the first night in a residence hall — it's intentional. Getting you into dorm life early is part of the experience, and it's also a great preview of campus living before the fall semester begins.

Families have the option to stay in a residence hall alongside their student, book a nearby hotel or commute if they're local. But for students? Here's my hard-won advice: bring a towel. I forgot mine. Don't repeat my mistake.

Here's what I'd put on your overnight packing list for orientation:

• A towel and washcloth
• A shower caddy or bag you can carry to the bathroom
• Shower shoes/flip flops
• Your own pillow and blanket (it makes a new space feel like yours faster than you'd think)

2. Can I change my major at TCU Orientation?

Yes — and this is one of the most underutilized opportunities of the whole weekend. If you were admitted to TCU for one major but you're already having second thoughts, orientation is the right time to make a move.

Many TCU programs are open to students who want to transfer in during orientation. Keep in mind that some programs — including nursing, strategic communication and business — have specific application cycles, so those switches may require a separate process.

My advice: research the TCU majors you're considering before you arrive. Come knowing what questions you want to ask, and be ready to make a decision when the window opens.

3. What actually happens during TCU Orientation?

TCU Orientation is an educational experience first — and that's not a bad thing. There are structured sessions led by TCU faculty and staff, including professors from your college, covering everything from academic expectations to campus resources. There's also a dedicated Q&A just for students, led by orientation leaders who've actually lived the TCU experience.

Yes, there are also games, free time and moments to breathe. But the real goal of orientation is to make sure you leave feeling genuinely ready to start your Horned Frog journey — not just like you showed up and got a campus tour.

Come curious. Come ready to take notes. The information you get during orientation will matter more than you expect once the semester starts.

4. Should I talk to my Orientation Leader? (Absolutely.)

Your Orientation Leaders (OLs) are current TCU students. They're not staff members reading from a script. They've navigated the same class registration anxiety, the same first-week nerves and the same questions you have right now.

As a former OL myself, I can tell you: we were there for students. Our entire role was to be a real, accessible resource — someone who could answer "what's it actually like?" without giving you the admissions-brochure version.

Ask your OL anything. What's the social scene like in your college? How do you survive finals? What do you wish you'd done differently your first year? They've been there. Use them.

5. How do I make friends at Orientation?

Some of the friends I made during my own TCU Orientation are still some of my closest friends today — and I'm a senior now. Orientation is genuinely one of the best environments to start building your people, because everyone is in the exact same place.

When you sit down in your small group, turn to the person next to you and say hi. That's it. Everyone is a little nervous. Everyone is hoping to connect. The first move is easier than it feels.

Above all, don't rush through it. This is your first real experience as a TCU student — give it everything you have.