“When do you go back to school?"
“August____”
“That’s so early! Why would want to go back that early?”
Yes, I am aware that it is the middle of August and I’m on my way back to school. I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to see you before I left, but there’s a job I have the privilege of doing when I get back.
That job doesn’t have a paycheck, nor is it required. It was my choice to sign up for it. I chose the honor of being on the orientation staff for my college.
Before you ask why I decided to give up those precious final weeks of the summer, I want you to think about this.
Do you remember your first move-in to college for your freshman year? You were leaving home for the first time, you had just finished high school and were ready to start a new chapter. You probably couldn’t’ wait to finally be on your own. However, you may have forgotten the butterflies that were in your stomach over how nervous you were that day. You didn’t know a single soul, you were hours away from home, and your parents had to say their goodbyes until your next school break. Were you scared? I sure was, and it was tough to let go and face my fears without my family by my side. Luckily, I decided to attend a small college that has an amazing orientation staff, and welcomed me with open arms. Ever since my first move-in, I wanted to give back to the freshman after me. I wanted to show them it was okay to miss home, but it was also okay to start a new part of their lives. I would never wish for a freshman to transfer because they didn’t know anyone or that the upperclassmen weren’t the nicest to them. I remember when I was a freshman, I wanted a friend on the first day, and I’m glad it was the nice upperclassman in a bright shirt.
Orientation leaders and advisers have so much fun throughout the welcome weekend. They carry boxes of your stuff to your dorm, participate in ice breaker games with you, assist you to new classrooms before school starts, and wear bright color shirts so you know who you can talk to if you need anything, or simply a friend to talk to. They even show more excitement than anyone on campus and want to show off their school spirit by decorating the dorm hallways for new students. This new group of freshman and transfers should be welcomed with excitement and should feel proud to be whatever mascot their school is. As orientation staff, we want to assure freshman and transfers that we have been through this before. We know exactly how they feel about starting college or at least starting a new school year, but at a different school. We don’t want them to face it alone. It’s our job to make their chosen college a “home away from home.” THAT is why I am on the Orientation staff.
(and to any freshmanreading this, I hope you’re ready for a weekend of fun, we signed up to be there for a reason!)
