Olivia Ave is looking to blaze her own path at a college where both of her parents graduated and her mother was once Homecoming queen.

It was uncomfortable to be thrown into the mix of so many people during orientation but now she feels more confident about coming to Ball State, Olivia Ave.

"No one wants to be outside their comfort zone and this has really pushed me outside the box," she said. "It's just the college experience — uncomfortable at first but necessary."

Olivia Ave said she grew up in West Lafayette and described the Ball State campus as beautiful.

Ana Ave, Olivia Ave's mother, said she and her husband are happy about Olivia Ave's choice in their alma mater.

"I think it's the perfect fit for her, the size is perfect and so are the activities and support that they offer here," she said.

Through the two-day orientation, both freshmen and their parents are given a lot of information about what Ball State has to offer.

Incoming freshman, Kyle Specker, said the constant talking does seem to bore him.

Kyle Specker said that he didn't expect orientation to be longer than a day and figured it would be like any other "first day of class."

"Sometimes I feel overloaded with information, but I'm sure I need it," he said.

His mother Joyce Specker is also finding it somewhat difficult to keep up with the constant information, but feels better knowing that she has a chance to talk to other parents in the same boat.

"It's a little bit hard to absorb all the information I need to know, but other parents have given me some questions to start thinking about," Joyce Specker said.

Kyle Specker said he is choosing between landscape architecture and construction management for his major, but no matter what, he has many different programs he could choose.

"Ball State just has a little bit more of a variety that I like," Kyle Specker said.

The two-day orientation also gives parents a better feel for where they will be sending their children for four years.

Visiting the campus for the first time in many years Joyce Specker said it's a different campus.

"I love the campus here now, it has just expanded and it's gorgeous compared to when I came to visit here years ago," Joyce said.

Joyce Specker said the campus is just the perfect size for her son.

Although incoming freshmen are nervous about their orientation visit it is a good way to help students come out of their shell and prepare for the transition into college life.

Olivia Ave said she feels better about coming back this fall and being able to find her way around campus.

"My mother and I were so surprised how everyone here wants to help you, everyone wants you to succeed," she said.

Ana Ave said orientation made her feel better about her daughter coming to Ball State.

"I feel more confident for sending my daughter two hours away from home, I feel like she's going to get the support she will need socially and academically," Ana Ave said. "I also think she has grown a lot more confident about it."

Orientation leaders play "ice-breakers" to help students get to know each other and hopefully make a few friends.

"When you first get here it's really awkward and then they make you play stupid games and it helps you get to know other incoming freshmen," Olivia Ave said. "I've made some good friends which relieved me from being so stressed about actually making friends."