“Grace! Guess what? Your college orientation is in a week! Are you excited?”, my mom asks. At the time, I was nineteen years old. I was thinking a lot about college. I was binge watching The Office when my mom came in and talked to me about orientation. Let’s face it, I was addicted. I did not want to stop watching, but then I realized that I needed to get a life so I turned off the computer.

I go to Dean College where I am part of a program that helps college students be successful. These students happen to have disabilities. Because I am a part of this program, I actually experienced two orientations. One was for every incoming student, and the other was for students in the Arch program. I will be focusing on the Arch orientation, which was only a few days before classes started. There was the struggle of packing everything I needed. I usually pack too many items; it’s a real problem. Obviously I will need a flashlight even though my phone has a flashlight feature! I need it! I was stressed out about orientation, but as the days grew closer, I became more and more excited. I was starting college. This was not high school anymore. College is the big leagues. I was much more excited than nervous.

When I arrived on the Dean campus for Arch orientation, I automatically felt a sense of peace. I knew, even when I was touring Dean College, that this was the place for me; I belonged. Parents had to leave as soon as the orientation began. To be honest, I was ready to be a college student and for my parents to do their own thing. We said our goodbyes and then the magic of orientation started. I thought to myself, “College, here I come.”