If you approach a group of Orientation Team Leaders and pose the question, "Why did you become an OTL?," I guarantee you'll get a different answer from each student you speak with.

I made the decision to interview for the opportunity to be an Orientation Team Leader with my past self in mind. To sum it up, I didn't bond with anyone at my freshman orientation and that was it for me. I ended up transferring schools and it took me a solid year to bounce back from what I went through. Basically, my goal in being an OTL at my current university was to positively impact even just one incoming new student. If I'd had someone to talk to my freshman year, maybe the first half of my college experience would have turned out a little bit differently.

Now that you know the backstory of this whole Orientation Team Leader thing, here are a few confessions and takeaways from my week as an OTL:

(1) The countdown to the weekend starts on the first day of training.

(2) Training is draining, but worth it.

(3) Skit practice is grueling, but what's orientation without a skit?

(4) Dance competitions among OTL's are a real thing.

(5) Healthy rivalries between returning OTL's and rookie OTL's are also a real thing.

(6) You think you're tired on Monday then Wednesday hits you like a freight train.

(7) The exhaustion fades the minute you see freshmen students roll up on Move-In Day.

(8) Endless. Hype. For. Days.

(9) Your comfort zone will be tested and conquered.

(10) Your sleeping habits will also be tested but probably not conquered.

(11) Games. You have to like games.

(12) Being an OTL isn't just for a week, it's for the year. Empty promises to new students aren't allowed, be there for them.

(13) 110% every single day is also a real thing.

(14) It is one of the most rewarding weeks of your college experience.

(15) If you still have a voice by the end of the week you probably didn't scream loud enough.

So, those are my OTL confessions and takeaways. All OTL's are different. We were chosen for our job for a reason, and we each brought/bring something to our respective teams. You would get a vastly different list of reflections if you were to talk to one of my teammates. But, I guarantee #14 would be on each of our lists.