Not long ago, we stepped foot onto the Republic Polytechnic (RP) campus for the first time. It was a significant moment for us, a new chapter in our lives. Sure, we must have felt trepidation at facing this daunting new reality, but the Orientation Programme (OP) certainly helped us ease into RP. This year, we were blessed with the chance to witness the behind the scenes of how OP is run, truly understanding how much work is to put into planning such an event.
Past vs Present
Personally, as a freshie coming into RP, we weren’t the most enthusiastic and participative. Having to do the school cheers and make new friends as introverts was a huge hurdle for us. we saw many facing the exact same issue this year too. The pinched, uncomfortable faces of the freshmen not knowing how to start a conversation, the awkward silence following call-and-response and the avoidance of eye contact between new classmates.
It was heartwarming to see our batchmates, now Orientation Programme Student Leaders (OPSLs), helping to break the ice and act as a bridge in conversations with the new Year 1 students.
One of our missed opportunities from Orientation 2024 was the Principal’s Cup, where each of the seven academic schools put forth performances, and Jam & Hop performance. A showcase of talents from all seven schools in RP along with the Create interest groups. While we didn’t really feel like we missed out on anything spectacular, we realised just how wrong we were when we went to watch it live this year.
The atmosphere at The Republic Cultural Centre (TRCC) was electrifying. Supporters from each school screaming and cheering when their teams performed, each school cheer lighting up the TRCC hall with its energy. The passion from RP’s own performers bleeding out to the audience, further amplifying the spirit and atmosphere of the hall. One of our personal favourites being the final item where performers jammed to APT by Rose and Bruno Mars and School Showcase performance by the School of Sports and Health.
Behind the Scenes: A New Appreciation
Back when we were freshies stepping into RP for the first time, going through the OP was just another experience for us. Transformative, yes, but just another event that we had to participate in as students. It was significant for us as the OP was our first look into life in RP and the culture in this school, but that’s all it was. A glimpse.
It hadn’t occurred to us then, how much work it took to plan an event like OP. We spoke to one of the lecturers, Ms Khartini, who shared about some of the behind-the-scenes work that went into OP. “It took us eight to nine months to plan for the various activities, to make sure it runs well,” she said. Evidently, a lot of time and effort went into planning for OP, to ensure that any potential mishaps could be resolved quickly, and OP could run smoothly.
A year ago, OP seemed straightforward enough to us. An event spanning three days, where we played icebreaker games with fellow freshies and got to know more about RP. The OPSLs ran like clockwork, knowing what to do, and when to facilitate. It seemed so easy then. Now, we have gained a new understanding for all the hard work that went into ensuring that OP was a smooth and enjoyable experience for this year’s freshies.
Chapter closes
As orientation came to a close, we were left in a state of admiration for our fellow batchmates who stepped up to plan and execute the programme. Sure, there were hiccups along the way and sudden changes that forced them to adapt on the spot, yet they held steadfast and pushed through.
