This week, last year, I was preparing for my next challenge: freshmen year of college. This week, this year, I am preparing for round two. My very first memory of freshmen year would have to be orientation week. Even though now I cannot remember a whole lot other than everything was so new to me. This specific week included many bonding activities and waking up to meet with my orientation leader, many other students in my major department and discussing things we will need to know for the rest of our lives and at Winona State.
First off,
walking into that classroom for the very first day of orientation, I was definitely awkward and out of my comfort zone. Sitting with a bunch of people I didn't know and having to talk in front of new people was nerve wracking, but some of these people are some of my good friends today. My orientation leader and yours is someone to guide you through your first couple months at college. At least mine did. My orientation leader turned out to be very helpful, funny, he didn't sugar coat anything and was very supportive of me throughout the whole year.
"If you ignore me when we see each other on campus, I will make sure you say hi."
Even when orientation week was over, I still received emails about helpful ways to stay organized and was able to text him when ever I was in need of help. I was blessed with a great orientation leader that I got to say hi to frequently on campus.
Moving forward,
my orientation leader graduated this past year and won't be with me for round two. I will miss him, but he has taught me what I need to know and I know he is still supporting me from a far at his new big boy job. I am ready to take on the different challenges I will have this year as a sophomore rather than learning the school, meeting people and finding out who I am as the freshman. I was able to do this with the help of my orientation leader and my new friends.
Dear freshmen,
orientation week is a week that is full of new experiences that you may or may not want to do. In fact, the people you become friends that week may not be friends by the end of the year. I remember meeting people that week and I have no idea who they are now, but a few from my orientation group are the ones I still talk to the most.
I want to openly thank my orientation leader for giving me the courage and the tools to be successful at my years at Winona State. I miss you already, but it is now time for me to be a leader for the incoming freshman helping them find who they are and what they love as you did for me.
Thank you. I am ready for college.
