6 Hairstyles Perfect for College Orientation

A good hairstyle for college orientation should help you feel confident moving into your new life experience.  A look that makes you approachable to make it easier to meet new people.  And so your hair sits comfortably so you can focus on this important life step, not hair falling in your face or pulling on your scalp. 

If the campus is large, your orientation hairstyle should leave your shoulders clear so you don’t overheat and sweat while taking a campus tour and exploring with your new friends.  And using these factors is how we came up with six hairstyles that are perfect for college orientation.

As a bonus, some of these looks have hair accessories that can double as fidgets if you get nervous or have some anxiety.  Others are quick-and-easy to style in case you’re running late.  

For each of these styles you’ll want to brush your hair to remove knots and tangles before styling. And if you are worried about fly aways, use a finishing spray or light hairspray to keep them in place. 

Low Messy Chignon Bun

The chignon bun used to be a go-to wedding hairstyle, but everyday and every occasion is a celebration, so why not wear it for orientation?  Just like a wedding, this is an important life moment in your life.  The look is classy, elegant, and sophisticated and because your hair is pulled back, it won’t fall into your face.  And if you like bangs, try a twisty style for a modern flair.

Fun fact: The messy bun and chignon bun are different in that a messy bun ties or twists around itself, and messy buns can be positioned anywhere on your head.  A chignon could be tied around a pin, a hair piece, or be tucked into itself like a regular bun, and chignon buns are worn low on the back of your head. 

1. Gather your hair into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck and secure it with a hair tie while making sure it is a bit loose.  A loose ponytail will be easier when it is time to make the bun messy. 
2. Twist the ponytail gently from the base outwards, then wrap the twisted ponytail around its base to form a loose bun.
3. Secure the bun with bobby pins. Stick them into the bun and through the hair tie to make sure it stays in place.
4. Now tease the hair out to give it a voluminous and messy look.

Sleek Barbie Ponytail

This look is playful, fun, and gives your look more dimension and depth than the traditional ponytail.  The difference in Barbie ponytails and a regular high ponytail is that you flip your hair over the hair tie vs. using the hair tie to pop your hair outwards.   And you can do a barbie ponytail with or without a swoop.  

It’s easy to add a pop of color using a spiral hair tie or scrunchie over the base of the ponytail.  Because your hair is off your shoulders, this look lets your upper torso and back breath while you walk the campus or sit in a room if the A/C breaks.

1. Apply a serum or finishing spray to give your hair a glossy look after you’ve brushed it out, and to tame any flyaways.
2. Tilt your head back slightly and gather all your hair about an inch away from the crown of your head.
3. Tease a small hole between the hair tie and the back of your head, then feed the ponytail through it from the inside to the outside giving the ponytail depth.
4. Secure your hair with a hair tie and make sure it’s tight so your ponytail holds in place.
5. Take a small section of hair from the bottom of the ponytail, wrap it around the hair tie, and secure it with a bobby pin. This hides the hair tie and gives a more sleek look.
1. Braiding the wrapped piece of hair adds texture as opposed to a wrap of hair.
2. This is also where you can use a spiral hair tie or a scrunchie depending on the look you want.
6. Brush out the ponytail so it becomes sleek, and add a flip at the bottom with a curling iron.

Hair Clip French Twist

The hair clip French twist can be done in under 20 seconds once you get enough practice, and the claw clip works as a fidget if you feel nervous.  This makes it easy to take your hair down, put it back up, and show up to orientation on time if you woke up late. 

The look is boho and smart, you can add a hair pin with an adornment for personalization, and choose a collegiate colored clip to show school spirit.  This makes it one of our favorites for orientation. And TELETIES has a collection of college themed hair clips. Click here to see if yours is available.

1. Smooth your hair so it lays flat against your scalp, then gather it towards the middle of the back of your head.
2. Hold the base with one hand and gently twist your hair with the other upwards until it forms a full coil.
3. Lift the twisted ponytail to the top of your head and fan the lowest twists to cover the ponytail for a smooth and sleek look.
4. Place the twist against your head and use a claw clip to secure it in place by feeding the teeth behind the ponytail but not scratching your head.
5. If you have any hair on top, style it into a knot, let it stick upwards through the top, or whatever look you like best.  There really is no wrong way to style the extra hair on top. 

Waterfall Braids

When hairstyles come to mind, waterfall braids are normally not the first idea. And that is why they’re perfect for orientation.  Your style will stand out making you’ll be memorable because of how unique it looks, not to mention get a few compliments.  

Waterfall braids can be styled the traditional way, as a reverse braid, or any other number of options.  The braids can be teased out for a voluminous boho feel, done on one side of your head for an asymmetric modern twist, and held tight for a fashionista vibe. Waterfall braids aren’t only fashionable, they’re a talking piece to break the ice and make new friends.

1. Collection a section of hair from your temple and divide it into three smaller sections.
2. Begin a regular braid by crossing the front section over the middle, and then the back section over the new middle.
3. Drop the front section so it falls down, and pick up a new section of hair right behind it. This new section becomes your new front section and creates the waterfall effect.
4. Cross this new front section over the middle and take a small section of hair from the top and add it to the back section, then cross it over the middle as well.
5. Repeat steps 4 and 5, working your way around the side of your head to the back. 
6. When you reach a point where you want to end the braid, you can either secure it with a bobby pin or continue with a regular three-strand braid till the end, and then secure it with a small hair tie.
7. Now repeat this on the other side or leave it as an asymmetrical look.

Middle Parted Lob

Anyone with an oval face shape already knows the enhancing power of bob and lob cuts.  And if you’re new to this look, you’re about to have a new go-to style.  

The middle parted lob can be done with texture and layers to have a 90’s grunge feel, it can be done sleek and straight like a fashion icon, or with bangs and pulled back for a boho or 70’s feel. There’s no wrong way to create this look, and you can control how it frames your face to enhance the orientation look you’re going for.

1. Apply a heat protectant spray to your hair as you’ll be using both a blow dryer and a flat iron. 
2. Create a middle part using a comb by dividing your hair equally down the center.
3. Blow-dry your hair using a round brush with the goal of getting it as smooth and straight as possible. 
4. Divide your hair into sections with a hair tie to secure each one, and use a flat iron from root to end to straighten each one.
5. Add a serum or finishing product to bring out some shine if you don’t want a natural matte look.

Half-up With a Scrunchie

From best friend and sorority sister, to art major and intellectual, the classic half-up with a scrunchie is the perfect look for college orientation.  It’s approachable, can be styled quickly-and-easily, holds comfy, and if you get hot you can always flip your hair up in a bun and secure it with the scrunchie.  If you want to let your hair down, you’ll have a scrunchie bracelet as an accent piece.  This makes it perfect for college orientation.

1. Take the top half of your hair (imagine creating an even line from ear to ear) and gather it in one of your hands.
2. Pull this section of hair to the back of your head as high or as low as you’d like. 
1. The standard style for a half-up scrunchie is a high ponytail because it shows off the scrunchie.
3. Wrap your scrunchie around the gathered hair to secure it into a half ponytail, and let the rest of your hair fall naturally. 
4. Gently tug out your hair to add volume, and if you want a messy look, pull some strands free by your face.  Although this could get distracting after a long day of orientation.

And now you have six unique and versatile hairstyles to help get your college orientation off to a good start.  If you’d like more style ideas and hair tips like these, subscribe to the TELETIMES blog below.