The infamous Welcome Week has ended. We are now at a point of new beginnings and freedom with rules and restrictions. Some of us will have morning classes and responsibilities that cannot be skipped out on unlike the ‘mandatory’ meetings last week. For me, welcome week has been a blur, rushing from one place to another, not knowing what to expect. I'm glad that's over and I am ready for people to be less excited. These are 10 things I am looking forward to now that Welcome Week is over.
1. Having something to do in the afternoon
For my first week, I had mandatory cohort meetings in the morning and plans for the nighttime.However, in between, after lunch, I had nothing to do, besides some spinning classes and tours around the city. I found my afternoons to be dull, waiting for the sun to set. Never enough time to leave the campus (or the lack of one) but too much time to just be doing nothing. Now with classes starting, I won’t take any free time for granted, using every second with purpose: either a nap, quick late-lunch/early-dinner, and homework (?).
2. Classes....?
To be honest, I haven’t been in class since last April and don’t remember school since last January #seniorspring. I kind of miss having to study, learn, and focus. I’ll regret saying this in the future, but I miss being stressed for academic reasons.
3. No more icebreakers
The end of any orientation week marks the end of all icebreakers (I hope). I ran out of two-truths-and-a-lie; I can no longer think of adjectives/food items that start with L; and I cannot possibly think of similarities with 5 other strangers again.
4. Making daylight friends
For my time here, I have met a whole bunch of people at wee hours of the night, sharing names and contact details that I never remember the day after. I’m excited to meet people in broad daylight, see their faces, and actually remember the next time I see them. I’m also tired of people screaming in my ears to introduce themselves. (Sorry if I did that to you.)
5. Sleeping and waking up at normal hours
I have not been sleeping before 2am ever since I got here. Before the all nighters start, I would like to maintain a reasonable habit of sleeping before the sunrise. I guess normal is relative to your class schedule and your professors. But still, no more waking up past noon!!
6. Clear thinking and walking straight.
This is pretty self-explanatory. If you know what I mean (winky face).
7. Getting into a routine
I’m not going to lie and say I’m a routine-oriented person, but I do like planning my life out. I am looking forward to filling up my $25 planner with to-do lists and deadlines for assignments. It’s really not about following the plan, but having one.
8. Responsibility
The first step of adulthood is managing money and having responsibility. Since I’m failing the first part already, I’m going to master the latter first. Whether its going to class or doing laundry, apologizing for mistakes and owning up to the consequences you face, I’m ready to be responsible for my actions and as a result, become more like an adult.
9. Halloween and Thanksgiving
I’ve always heard that New York is the place to be during Halloween and Thanksgiving. This year, I will be in NYC and I am thrilled to spend it like a true New Yorker.
10. Winter Break (and New Year’s Eve)
To be fair, school is not going to be thaaaaat great. We can all think of winter break if school brings us down. I know I’ll be looking forward to Christmas and NEW YEARS EVE. It’s my favorite day of the year!