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Digital Icebreakers for Student Orientation: Engaging Activities for New Students

Digital Icebreakers for Student Orientation: Engaging Activities for New Students

< div class= "prose max-w-none" > Students playing digital icebreakers at orientation

Student orientation sets the tone for the entire academic experience.With digital icebreakers, you can transform awkward introductions into fun, engaging interactions that help new students form connections faster.These activities work for both in -person and virtual orientations—no more boring name tags or forced small talk!

Table of Contents

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  • Why Digital Icebreakers Work for Orientation < /a>
  • Top Digital Icebreaker Activities < /a>
  • Orientation Bingo with Jam Bingo < /a>
  • Virtual Orientation Icebreakers < /a>
  • Success Tips from Universities < /a>
    • < h2 id = "why-digital" class="text-2xl font-semibold mt-8 mb-4" >🎓 Why Digital Icebreakers Work for Orientation < p class= "mb-4" > Traditional orientation icebreakers often fall flat because:

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  • Introverted students struggle with forced socializing
    • < li > Large groups make meaningful connections difficult < li > Activities feel childish or irrelevant to college students < p class="mb-4" > Digital solutions solve these problems by:

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    📱 Mobile - Friendly

    < p > Students use their phones—no awkward handouts or supplies needed

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    🎯 Structured Interaction

    < p > Provides clear conversation starters beyond "What's your major?"

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    📊 Measurable Engagement

    < p > Track participation and identify students who need extra support

    < img class="w-full h-auto mb-6 object-cover" src = "/images/events/home-6.jpg" alt = "Students connecting during orientation" width = "800" height = "450" />

    🏆 Top Digital Icebreaker Activities

    < h3 class="text-xl font-semibold mt-6 mb-3" > 1. Campus Scavenger Hunt(Digital Version) < p class="mb-4" > Students use their phones to complete challenges:

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  • Take a group selfie at the library
    • < li > Find someone wearing your school colors < li > Locate a professor's office in your department < p class="mb-4" > Tools:     Jam Bingo < /a> or scavenger hunt apps

    2. Two Truths and a Lie(Virtual Polling)

    < p class="mb-4" > Students submit two truths and one lie via digital form.The group votes on which is the lie through live polling.

    < p class="mb-4" > Tools: Google Forms + Zoom polls or Kahoot!

    < h3 class="text-xl font-semibold mt-6 mb-3" > 3. Program - Specific Speed Networking < p class="mb-4" > Students in the same major connect through timed breakout rooms with guided questions:

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  • "What drew you to this program?"
    • < li > "One thing you're nervous about" < li > "A class you're most excited for" < img class="w-full h-auto mb-6 object-cover" src = "/images/events/home-MP-4.jpg" alt = "Students networking" width = "800" height = "450" />

    🎲 Orientation Bingo with Jam Bingo

    < p class="mb-4" >     Jam Bingo < /a> is perfect for orientation because:

    Jam Bingo interface Jam Bingo prompts
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    Sample Orientation Bingo Prompts:

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  • Find someone from your home state
    • < li > Discover a shared extracurricular interest < li > Meet someone who's visited the career center < li > Find a peer who can recommend a good cafe < li > Connect with someone in your dorm
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    How It Works:

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  • Create a custom bingo board in minutes
    • < li > Students scan your QR code to join < li > They mingle and complete challenges < li > You see real - time participation data
    < h2 id = "virtual-ideas" class="text-2xl font-semibold mt-8 mb-4" >💻 Virtual Orientation Icebreakers < p class="mb-4" > For online orientations, try these engaging alternatives:

    < h3 class="text-xl font-semibold mt-6 mb-3" > 1. Emoji Introductions < p class="mb-4" > Students describe themselves using only 3 emojis in the chat.Others guess what they mean.

    < h3 class="text-xl font-semibold mt-6 mb-3" > 2. Digital Whiteboard Collaborations < p class="mb-4" > Use tools like Miro or Jamboard for:

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  • Campus map annotations("Where I'm from" pins)
    • < li > Program - specific meme walls < li > Collaborative advice boards < h3 class="text-xl font-semibold mt-6 mb-3" > 3. Breakout Room Challenges < p class="mb-4" > Small groups complete timed tasks:

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  • Create the best school spirit chant
    • < li > Design a mascot costume using only emojis < li > Find 3 things all group members have in common < img class="w-full h-auto mb-6 object-cover" src = "/images/events/home-MP-5.jpg" alt = "Virtual orientation" width = "800" height = "450" />

    🌟 Success Tips from Universities

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    What Actually Works:

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  • "We combine digital icebreakers with physical meetups—students love recognizing people they 'met' online" - University of Toronto
    • < li > "Orientation leaders participate too—it helps break down barriers" - McGill University < li > "We continue the bingo game throughout first week for ongoing connections" - UBC < li > "Short, timed activities (5-7 mins) work better than long sessions" - Western University < div class="bg-blue-50 p-6 rounded-lg" >

    Ready to Upgrade Your Orientation ?

    < p class="mb-4" > Digital icebreakers can increase student engagement by up to 70 % compared to traditional methods.The right activities help students form crucial early connections that improve retention and campus satisfaction.

    < p >     Try Jam Bingo for your next orientation →

    Article By

    Author:Melvin Adekanye•Updated: Jun 22, 2025

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    Tags

    student orientationdigital icebreakersicebreaker bingoJam Bingocollege orientationuniversity orientationstudent engagement

    Category

    Icebreaker Bingo

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