It was originally a nautical term used by sailors. It means to find your direction or bearings on the compass. Are you going northeast or north? Today, we use it to describe finding our way or understanding our situation. For example, "She needed time to adjust and get her bearings at the new school". This can mean finding her way to the different classrooms at the school, but also understanding her role or responsibilities at the school. Hope this helps.

It literally means to find out your orientation relative to North. Metaphorically it means to understand your current status.

The verb "to bear" means "to support". So, to "get your bearings" means "to notice what gives you support", generally. I need to get my bearings first. = I need to become aware of what gives me support (so I can become more comfortable).