Charging Up your First Year

The 6 OC members are back on campus getting everything ready for you to arrive! They discuss what they are excited about at orientation, advice for first-year students, they reflect on their favorite memories from their first-year, and ever a bit of what to expect this next week!

OC Ben is back on the podcast to share his favorite things to do in Schenectady. From must-try restaurants to local attractions and hidden gems, we cover all the spots that make this city worth exploring

In our next episode, Aileen is again joined by Talya as co-host to break down all things move-in! From what to pack (and what to leave behind), to why submitting your ID photo matters, to tips for settling into your new space, we've got you covered. Whether you're counting down the days or feeling a little overwhelmed, this episode is full of helpful info, friendly advice, and a few laughs to help you feel ready for day one which is just a month away.

In this episode, OC Ahdaf joins as co-host to catch up on what he’s been up to this summer and share his excitement for the start of the year. We dive into what you can expect on Shared Experience Day, a special part of Orientation designed to help you build connections and explore something new with your classmates. Be sure to keep an eye on your applicant portal checklist, the Shared Experience Ranking Form will be available soon so you can let us know your top choices!

In this episode, Aileen is joined by Orientation Committee member Mason for a casual chat about what he’s been up to this summer, what he’s looking forward to when everyone arrives, and why he’s excited to welcome the Class of 2029 to campus. We also talk about how move-in day is officially next month(!) and share a reminder to join us at First-Year Spark if you can, our special summer meet and greet event. Tune in to get a little inspiration and a few helpful tips as you get ready to join Union!

In this episode, we're joined by Orientation Committee member Kassie (she's also your incoming Student Forum President) to chat all about one of the most exciting parts of your first year: getting involved! Kassie shares what she's looking forward to next year and why Club Expo is your go-to first step for getting involved at Union. Whether you're into music, sports, gaming, or just want to try something new, we think you'll find a club for you at Club Expo!

Welcome back to Charging Up Your First Year! In this episode, we’re joined by OC Marissa to chat about some of Union’s favorite campus traditions (from cherished events to waiting in line for t-shirts) that help make Union feel like home. We only had about 20 minutes, so while we didn’t get to cover every tradition, we hit some highlights that we hope get you excited for what's to come.

In this first full episode of Charging Up Your First Year, Aileen is joined by Orientation Committee member Ben to talk about what a typical day looks like for him as a Union student. They also highlight many academic support resources available to help you succeed and share important reminders about forms and deadlines in your applicant portal.

In this introduction episode, you'll hear from Charging Up Your First-Year hosts Aileen and Talya as they introduce themselves and share information on what this podcast will be about. This series is intended for Union College's class of 2029 incoming students and their families and supporters. This series will assist in your transition to Union College and help to prepare new students for their arrival to campus in Fall 2025.

Be sure to subscribe to our podcast to receive notifications of our bi-weekly uploads! Our first full episode premieres on Wednesday, May 21st.

On this surprise episode, Aileen and Ally got to sit down with some of the members of Bon Appetit, Union College's new dining vendor to talk all things food on campus! We hope you're as excited as we are to try all that's new!