What type of activities are designed to help students build friendships during onboarding?

The type of activities that are specifically designed to help students build friendships during onboarding are orientation games and team-building activities. These activities focus on engaging students in social interactions, teamwork, and collaboration, which are essential for forming new friendships and fostering a sense of community.

Orientation games often encourage students to work together, communicate, and get to know one another in a fun and relaxed environment. Team-building activities typically involve group challenges that promote trust, cooperation, and bonding among participants. These experiences are particularly effective in creating lasting connections, as students can share experiences and develop rapport through shared objectives and enjoyable experiences.

In contrast, individual research projects and textbook study sessions do not inherently encourage social interaction or relationship building. While online forums and discussions can provide spaces for interaction, they may not always facilitate the same level of personal connection as in-person activities designed with friendship-building at their core. Hence, orientation games and team-building activities are the most effective means for students to connect and form friendships during the onboarding process.