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Whether we like it or not, social media now controls everything—including parts of student orientation. Universities and colleges now recognize the need to meet students where they are digitally. This article highlights ten next-level social media integrations to enhance your student orientation.
When The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) added a unique orientation event in 2020 amid the COVID pandemic, they (probably) didn't expect it to go viral on TikTok. Anointed "A Million Thanks," the event involved students surprising their professor, Adam Shrager, during a remote class by holding signs expressing gratitude for his support. The fact that this event racked up 5 million views is the key here. And it means something.
Today, social media isn't just an add-on to your existing student orientation programs—it's the heartbeat of student engagement. If your college or organization is not capitalizing on it, know you're missing out. Hopefully, these ten social media interaction strategies for student orientation will change that.
TikTok challenges can go beyond dancing (though that works too!). You can theorize and test much more. The key is creating challenges that feel authentic to your institution's culture, something that fits and functions. Consider launching a "Day in the Life" challenge where current students share their unique campus experiences or a "Hidden Gems" challenge showcasing lesser-known campus spots.
Pro Tip: Keep your hashtags simple and memorable. # [UniversityName] Check-In or # Welcome [Year] works better than those lengthy institutional phrases. Encourage organic participation by having student ambassadors kick off the challenges naturally rather than making them feel like administrative initiatives.
If your institution occupies a massive area, you can transform your campus into an exciting digital adventure. Here's how: create custom Snapchat filters for different campus locations – from the main library to the student union – and challenge orientation groups to collect them all. You can go beyond that by integrating your university's mascot into each filter design.
For example, if your mascot is a tiger, create filters showing it studying in the library, eating in the cafeteria, or cheering at the stadium. Students can collect these virtual "stamps" while discovering important campus locations.
Instagram remains one of the most popular social media platforms - so why not use it for orientation? For example, you can create a shared digital narrative of the orientation experience through Instagram Stories. Encourage students to contribute to a centralized orientation account, documenting their journey from move-in day to their first campus meal.
Here are some ways to use Instagram's interactive features creatively:
Here's a handy table with some ideas:
These stories can be saved as highlights, creating a lasting memory bank that future students can explore.
Forget scripted campus tours. Today's students want authentic, unfiltered glimpses of campus life. You can partner with current students to create short, engaging vertical videos showcasing:
The key? Let students use their natural voice and style. A slightly shaky camera and genuine laughter are more relatable than perfectly polished promotional content. With Orientus, you can easily upload, manage, and share guided video tours for students and staff. Our platform's video hosting capabilities will ensure a compelling onboarding experience that new members of your campus community can access anytime, anywhere.
Book your free Orientus demo today!
Match incoming students with upperclassmen mentors based on shared interests, majors, or extracurricular activities. Create private social media groups where these pairs can connect before orientation begins. Ask mentors to share their own orientation experiences through:
This digital mentorship can evolve into real-world friendships once campus life begins.
Badging can go a long way, and some students love them. You can transform orientation milestones into shareable achievements through digital badges. Try creating custom badges for moments in the orientation journey that students can proudly display on their social media profiles. Here are some examples:
These badges work like digital high-fives. Students can overlay these badges on their profile pictures or share them as stories, creating a visual narrative of their orientation journey.
Orientus's built-in badge feature lets you create, distribute, and track custom badges that students can easily share across their social platforms. Our customizable templates help you design badges that match your institution's branding while keeping the process simple and engaging. The process is simple and sweet, so start today by booking your free Orientus demo!
Create an engaging orientation experience across multiple platforms. Award points for:
Use a simple digital leaderboard to track progress. The key is making participation optional but irresistible. Offer meaningful prizes like priority registration for popular first-year seminars or exclusive campus experiences.
Also Read: 9 Ways To Get Student Feedback And Increase Orientation Engagement
Launch themed content creation contests that showcase student creativity while building community. Popular themes include:
Judge entries based on creativity, engagement, and authenticity rather than production quality. Prizes should speak to Gen Z interests – may be premium parking spots, dining dollars, or VIP access to campus events.
Transform orientation spaces with digital social walls displaying real-time student content. These dynamic displays can showcase:
Use moderation tools to ensure appropriate content, but don't over-filter – authentic student voices should shine through.
Replace the traditional group formation strategy with something more engaging: Campus Tradition Challenges. Start by creating social media challenges around your university's unique traditions:
This approach will help you naturally form connections while celebrating your institution's heritage. The beauty is in the organic engagement—students bond over shared experiences while building their chapter in the university's ongoing story. Plus, the content created becomes a valuable archive of how campus culture evolves.
As our final strategy suggestion, explore creating a time capsule for each freshman class – except it is digital this time. This way, students can share their hopes, dreams, and fun moments through videos, photos, and messages. The best part is that when graduation rolls around, they get to relive these memories and see how far they've come.
It would be amazing to watch those nervous first-day faces change into confident graduates! This tradition doesn't just preserve memories – it helps build lasting friendships and gives future students a peek into what makes their school special. Plus, there's something magical about seeing your younger self's dreams and aspirations after achieving them.
Social media helps new students feel connected, stay informed, and build excitement for their college experience. It makes information easy to find and allows students to meet others before they even arrive on campus.
Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube are popular for sharing orientation updates, campus tours, and student stories. LinkedIn can also be useful for professional networking early on.
Social media can make orientation fun and exciting. With polls, Q&A sessions, challenges, and videos, it can get students involved and make them feel welcome.
Yes! Many colleges use social media for live Q&A sessions, where students can ask questions in real-time. Additionally, orientation teams often share FAQs and answer comments to help students get quick answers.
Colleges should remind students to avoid sharing sensitive personal information online. They should also follow privacy guidelines and ensure student accounts remain safe and protected.
The key to successful social media integration isn't just using the latest platforms – it's understanding how these tools can create genuine connections. Focus on authenticity over perfection, student voices over institutional messaging and organic engagement over forced participation.
Remember TCNJ's viral moment? It worked because it gave students creative freedom while maintaining a clear connection to campus culture. Your orientation program's success in 2025 won't be measured by attendance sheets or feedback forms, but by the digital footprint of genuine connections, shared experiences, and lasting memories your students create together.
I'm a highly skilled project manager with extensive experience in the education technology industry. With a background in computer science and a passion for improving educational outcomes, I have dedicated my career to developing innovative software solutions that make learning more engaging, accessible, and effective.
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