Sensory Guide

Welcome to the 2025 New Student Orientation Sensory Guide. We recognize that Orientation, while exciting, can be an overwhelming experience, especially for students who experience sensory sensitivities. Even if you have never experienced sensory sensitivities before, you may experience it or other challenges during this busy time of transition.

The purpose of this guide is to provide information about the resources available to you throughout orientation and beyond to be able to step back and take care of your physical and/or mental wellbeing.

As you begin to create community in the coming weeks, you'll notice that each member of our community has different identities, needs, and coping mechanisms. It is important to take care of yourself and support others to do the same. While we encourage everyone to challenge themselves and step outside their comfort zone, you should step back when you are feeling overwhelmed and engage with Orientation programming in a manner that will meet your needs.

General Tips for Avoiding Overload

Sensory overload occurs when one or more of the body’s senses experiences over-stimulation from the environment, causing anxiety, discomfort, and fear. If you are experiencing sensory overload, you may start to feel agitated or unable to focus. Large crowds, noise, and harsh lighting are some of the common features that may contribute to sensory overload. It is important to listen to your body when features of your environment are causing over-stimulation. Recognizing your sensory triggers, such as loud noises, fluorescent lights, or tight clothing, can help you to prevent sensory overload before it occurs.

Sensory overload can be caused by a single event, or it can build up over the course of the day. Taking preventative measures throughout the day to manage your energy levels can help you to prevent sensory overload from occurring. Depending on your sensory needs, measures such as wearing headphones between events, stimming/using quiet fidget toys, or wearing comfortable clothing can all help to reduce the buildup of sensory overload. Earplugs will be available in all break rooms and in large, all-class events in Leverone Field House.

Taking naps during the day or going on a nature walk can help to refresh your energy levels. Additionally, it is very important to stay hydrated and nourished throughout the day. Carrying around a reusable water bottle and using the various water bottle refiller stations located around campus can help. The Class of 1953 Commons, our college dining hall, will be open daily from 7:30am-8:30pm throughout Orientation.

If you realize you won't be able to attend every Orientation program that is offered on a given day, it is important that you prioritize which sessions will be the most beneficial for you. Asking yourself questions such as: 1) Which programs are required? 2) Which programs best suit my sensory needs? 3) What programs most excite me? and 4) When is a good time for me to take a break? can help you build a realistic schedule for the day.

Taking a Break

If you know that an Rrientation event is likely to create sensory overload, you may decide to engage with the program in an alternative format, such as requesting a recording of the event, or make a plan to step away from the event if you start to experience overload.

Break rooms will be available throughout orientation for quiet, rest, crafting, or clearing your mind. Each break room will be equipped with ear plugs, coloring sheets, origami paper with instructions, fidget toys, and bubbles . While you are in a break room, take a moment to read about some great self-care practices from our friends at the Student Wellness Center, linked on the Orientation Canvas site (dartgo.org/nsocanvas).

The location of the nearest available break room will be announced at the beginning of sessions. Ask a member of the Orientation staff or an upper-level mentor if you need assistance with locating a break room.

If you need to miss a session, all related programs and materials can be made available in an alternative format. For more information, contact New Student Orientation at: new.student.orientation@dartmouth.edu.

Beyond Orientation

There are a variety of resources to help you navigate access and wellness during your time at Dartmouth. This includes both staff-driven resources such as the Student Wellness Center and, for those who are eligible, Student Accessibility Services, as well as peer support groups such as the Dartmouth Student Mental Health Union and Access Dartmouth. Please consult the “More Information or Support” section at (nso.org/access) to learn more.

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