Last summer, I had the privilege of serving as an IMPACT summer orientation leader at Troy University. At the beginning of the summer, I had no clue what I was getting myself into. Little did I know the valuable life lessons, memories, and connections that I would make during the best summer of my life. Here are a few of the things I learned from my time as an orientation leader:

1. How to be painfully awkward and embrace it.

I'm a super awkward guy, 95 percent of the time. Last summer was no different. Instead of having to keep my cheesy jokes to myself, I was instead able to bombard everyone with one of my myriad puns, many of which I chose to never say again. Some of the students didn't think my humor was grate (Get it?), but I kept trying. The best part about it? Everyone else is the same way too. I feel like there's some kind of "hey, I'm kind of awkward" factor that plays into being a successful orientation leader. So what else do you do but embrace it? From an incoming student's perspective, there's nothing more disarming than seeing that your orientation leaders aren't afraid to get outside their comfort zone a little bit and actually be themselves.

2. Sleep deprivation: a tradition like no other.

So we all know that person, right? The one that brags about how much sleep they don't get?

"Hey man, how much sleep did you get last night?"

"I actually haven't been to sleep in like 74 hours, but who's counting? Nope, not me. I've just been working on stuff, you know? Figured since I haven't gotten tired yet, why stop now?"

I don't care how much sleep you don't get. Unless you've been a summer orientation leader, you don't know sleep deprivation at its finest.

Wake up at 5 a.m. and get in bed at 2 A.M.? Cool.

Do it again tomorrow? Absolutely.

20 hours of sleep this week? No problem.

And this isn't good sleep, either. You feel like you need a coffee iv when you wake up, yet you still push through a packed, fun-filled, patience-testing, memory-making day. No matter how much sleep you don't get, you're driven by the desire to make the students' experience the best that it can be. I wouldn't give a single second of sleep in exchange for the memories that I made with my fellow orientation leaders during last summer, as well as helping to make students' transition into college a smooth one.

3. Your fellow orientation leaders become your best friends.

Last summer went by quicker than any other summer of my life. As the old saying goes, "time flies when you're having fun." One of the most difficult parts of my orientation summer was the ending. From there, we would all go our separate ways. And although we would all still go to the same school, we'd never be together in that same capacity again. It's really sad to think about. But at the end of the summer, I was left knowing that I had shared something with 13 other people that could never be replicated again. All of the mornings that came too early, the jokes we'd shared, and the times we had would never be replaced. Even though a brand new slate of leaders was selected for this year's class and for years to come, we'll always have our time.

One of the best things now is seeing a fellow leader from last year and catching up with them. It's almost like IMPACT never ended. A summer orientation done right is growing close with other group leaders until you become a family. It's hard to explain unless you've been a part of it. I didn't begin the summer with the intention of this happening, but it did. And I'm forever grateful for it.

4. You never look at your school the same.

When I tell people that I was orientation leader, their first responsibility usually goes something along the lines of: "I could never do that. How in the world did you do it?" To be completely honest, I don't know how I did it sometimes. I really don't. I didn't really know everything I wanted to gain from last summer, but one of the most important results I got out of my experience was something I didn't even think about in the beginning: a renewed appreciation for Troy University. As an orientation leader, you are the expert on random trivia on the university, the location of obscure buildings and offices, and what classes are required for virtually every major. Embrace it. It really is an honor to be able to be the first face that incoming freshmn get to see, and this is something that shouldn't be taken lightly. You understand the integral role that literally every person involved with the university plays in helping to make everyone's college experience the best it can be. I'm not sure I would've ever gotten such an understanding had it not been for my summer orientation experience. I gained a new appreciation and understanding for what it means to be a Troy Trojan, and I'm sure that leaders at other schools would share this sentiment about their institution. Being able to serve my school in this capacity has been the greatest experience of my college career.

So for those of you out there thinking of being an orientation leader next year, I have two words for you: Do it. You'll have the best summer of your life with the best people you've ever met. And for those summer orientation leaders struggling to get up in the morning, keep going. The best summer of your life is waiting for you.

Music for the week:

Welcome Home, Son - Radical Face

In the Sun - Joseph Arthur

White Room - Queen

All Along the Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix

Hold You in My Arms - Ray LaMontagne

Heartbeats - Jose Gonzalez

Old Pine - Ben Howard

Satisfy Me - Anderson East

Coming Home - Leon Bridges

Revival - Jamestown Revival

North Side Gal - J.D. McPherson

Supernova - Ray LaMontagne

Something More Than Free - Jason Isbell

Something Beautiful - Needtobreathe

Harder to Lie - David Ramirez