Go all out during orientation. Start talking to chicks/guys who sit next to you... you need to get to know as many people as possible. Since this is an overnight stay, i am imagining there is some kind of social event planned. Something like bowling or pool hall. If you talk to enough people during orientation, you can find cool people to hang out with, then switch roommates so you stay in same rooms.
That is what i did for mine. We had like 8 people in our group, all cool open guys. WHen we went bowling, chicks just started coming over to us.. Then we went to our rooms and started mooing girls in the building across from us. You could drink, but i woudnt advice it, you gotta be a major dumbass to get a minor during orientation.
I dont mind being a leader, but that is not what im after. I enjoy being a cool open guy who eveyone can talk to and have fun with. When i go to parties, i see who is doing something fun, then i start doing it with them ( One party some people were playing a game where u bang on the table and then yell "Now drink mother****er, drink mother****er, drink". I asked for the rules, then joined in. The rest of the crowd sat there wondering what the hell were we doing...
Get to know the owner of the party house, or the host. Get in his good graces. This is very good for future benefits.
Some general stuff:
Never talk trash. About anyone. You never know who is friends with who, and what will happen. ( i was once in a frat party, called one chick fat, she was gf of one of the guys... i almost got my ass kicked, had to walk home)... lesson learned. Keep your mouth shut, like confucious said :
"A true gentelman only points out the good qualities in a man, a weak man only points out the wrongs".
If you live in the dorms, find people to hang out with, it isnt hard at all. There are many clubs here, like ultimate freesbie, rollerblading, intramural sports, all sorts of fun.
Just remember- people are generally good, so dont worry when you start talking to someone and they walk away. Move on, life is too short to worry about idiots.