DOWAGIAC — Eager students and their parents gathered in the David C. Briegel Building last Friday on Southwestern Michigan College’s campus to learn more about their future education at new student orientation. 

Southwestern Michigan College has hosted eight orientation days since May 10. The past seven orientations have filled up with a maximum of 70 students.

“We’ve definitely had a big push towards students really wanting to be here for orientation,” said Katie Hannah, the first year experience manager. “Our enrollment advisors have really talked to them about the importance of orientation.”

SMC’s orientation serves as an opportunity for students to meet each other, register for classes and get information in order to be successful.

The orientation lasted from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. It started with students’ checking-in and then completing placement testing. A welcome presentation was then hosted, where representatives from every student service department talked about the areas and resources they provide, such as tutoring and financial aid. The four academic deans then gave presentations.

“The students do get to meet their academic dean which is kind of unusual for a school,” Hannah said. “[Students] get to find out how things are different in college, because a lot of these students are coming straight from high school.”

Students then separated from their parents and were split into groups by their individual major to sign up for classes. A parent session was hosted at the same time with student services departments answering questions.

A lunch was then provided by the college, and students were given a last-minute chance to talk to financial aid, set up payment plans and get an ID picture taken, before the orientation day ended.

The college has four more orientation sessions scheduled:

• 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday, July 26

• 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 3 at the Niles campus

• 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 9

• 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 29.