It's raining outside — on the first day of school. I suppose someone forgot to send the memo to the clouds informing them that today is a no-rain day.
Regardless, this hasn't put a damper on the blinding sunlight radiating inside. You get the overwhelming sense that each student brought their own bit of weather on the first day. Beaming smiles, foreboding brows, wet palms, and dry stares all make up the welcome weather on the first day at Valencia Campus.
The first day always has its fair share of drama. Someone mistakenly went to room 2-121 instead of 2-212. The car suddenly decides it wants to sleep in today. Then there is the line that stretches around the side of the building that you have to join because you need that textbook — Amazon was out of stock. Yes, drama. It makes one wonder, however, if none of this ever happened would it really be "the first day"? What kind of weather would it be?
Let's imagine for a second that on the first day, we got to campus on time, the car worked, classes were perfect, we got the best professors, and, as a bonus, it was sunny outside. No anxiety. No drama. No weather. Just a first day. Exciting? It would probably be the most amazing ordinary experience ever! Ever! I mean who doesn't like ordinary? Right?
The college experience starts on the very first day. For some, this first day is the one that defines the rest of their lives. Lifelong friendships start on the first day. Careers are made and broken on the first day. Future families will be made because two people met on this first day. The atmosphere is perfect for great things to happen on this first day at Valencia -- the rain will not interrupt.
Since today is the first day, my advice, don't look outside. Don't look at the shades of gray. Don't look at the armies of water droplets waging war with what should be a great day. Instead, bring your own weather. Make the most of today and all its offerings. Sign up for a club and take advantage of the free food while you do so. Smile through your nervousness as you listen to some other "bright" student answer all the questions in the first class. Chuckle as you pour through the syllabus and wonder if you'll survive the semester. Laugh at a stranger's joke because you know it might not be that funny, but laughing is a good ice-breaker. At the end of this first day as you lay in your bed, confidently say to yourself, "I came. I saw. I conquered." Of course, you'll be saying this as you hum the familiar hit by The Temptations.....I've got sunshine on a cloudy day...
