Friday, June 10, 2011

College-Style

College-Style

The Truth About Freshman Orientation

Posted: 09 Jun 2011 11:04 AM PDT

By: Meagan of Auburn University. Follow me @meagan_henry

Freshman Orientation is amazing, fun, informing, and exciting!!!

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Hehe…actually, Freshman Orientation stinks. It's hard. It's tedious. It's nothing like you want it to be. No matter where you go to college, Freshman Orientation is always going to be about the same. Some senior students of your University will take you around campus for a day or two in a large group, explain important things to you (i.e.—everything from the dangers of drinking too much to how dropping a class after the first 15 days will plummet your grade completely).  The amount of new and seemingly 'common-sense' knowledge that your brain will absorb between these two to three days at Orientation will tire you and drain you like you never expected it would.

My Experience at Camp War Eagle

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On a more personal note, I just attended my Freshman Orientation a couple of days ago for Auburn University, which is called Camp War Eagle. And if the word camp hadn't been put into the name, I would have respectively contacted Auburn and begged them to add it. Camp War Eagle was camp. Literally. I had to sleep in a dorm, participate in required group activities and sit through pointless talks/powerpoint presentations about personal safety and drugs. I probably walked a summation of about 121 miles (sarcastically, of course J) in one day. At least the food was good. I had plenty of tacos and Coca Cola. That was a bonus.

There is a Positive Side, Though

I don't mean to say all of this to scare you at all. I'm just being truthful, because, as an upcoming college freshman, I wish someone had told me the truth about freshman orientation, and I'm sure you do too.

And yes, I may have been stretching the truth a bit by complaining so much about the ENTIRE experience, because honestly, the ENTIRE experience isn't that entirely terrible like I stated. On the second day of my Orientation, I officially signed up for my fall classes (got every single one that I wanted on the times that I wanted J), which then made me a truly active Auburn University student! I cannot tell you how incredible that feeling was, just knowing everything was set in stone, official, and fortified. I felt like I was on top of the world, and that my life was just beginning. I'm sure you will feel this as well, which almost makes all the hours of listening to people tell you that if you drink, you will get kicked out (and die!) worth it.

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I also met some amazing new friends with whom I know that I will continue to be close with over the next four years. I met people from all over the world, as a matter of fact. A good new friend of mine came all the way from Ireland. Close to half of my new friends are from Birmingham and Atlanta, and a couple came from further away places such as California, Texas, and Boston. If it wasn't for these wonderful new friends, I wouldn't have been able to get through all the terrible parts of orientation. They kept me going, and kept me hopeful and wishful for a superbly stupendous future.

The College Years…

College is — without a doubt — the biggest transition that a teenager will experience. There is so much change surrounding the final stepping stones into college, and every moment counts.

Every breath that you take matters and will change your life for the better, I promise. So stay positive, stay strong, know who you are, and don't ever let that go. Be yourself and people will love you.

Also remember, every other student surrounding you is in the exact same position you are. Everyone is just as scared as you are, if not more. Don't be afraid to reach out to those who look uncomfortable, and don't be afraid to speak your mind. Your opinions will come in handy sooner rather than later, and your voice will be heard.

Never forget where home is, and how to get there. But truthfully, your genuine new home will be your college…and you will NEVER want to leave.

And for more advice on going to college and decorating for college see our other posts about what to wear to class here and here, decorating your dorm, changing sheets on your lofted bed, hanging wall decor, and shopping on a budget in college.

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