College Orientation

The weather we experienced while visiting California spoiled us. Now we are back to hot, humid Tennessee. I don’t like it, but at least we aren’t experiencing triple digit temps like many areas of the country are getting right now.

Last Friday and Saturday Vicki, Jenna, and I went to Trevecca University for their new student orientation. We learned a lot of useful things to know ahead of Jenna’s transition to college life in nine weeks. We all came away having enjoyed the weekend, but I asked Jenna to write about it from her perspective.

Joe

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I am so excited for college, but orientation made me even more so! We (Dad, Mom, and I) started out early last Friday morning to check-in, have my picture taken for my ID, and to attend a session about working on campus. After eating lunch in their awesome cafeteria (It really is! Dad even said it was like being on a cruise ship.), we went to their welcoming session.

After the opening message of encouragement, they sent us on over to another building to a carnival-like informational gathering. While there, I was able to speak to my advisor for Intercultural Studies and find out a little bit more about activities that happen on campus. For example, they have several movie nights throughout the year, off-campus service projects, and twice weekly chapel services. All the students then left to go to their own meeting.

Part of Trevecca’s goal is to create an environment that produces long-lasting relationships between the students. To do this, Trevecca has created a class, called a LINK group, where about a dozen students gather twice a week during the first semester to learn more about each other and to help individuals grow personally. So, on Friday, when we split up with our groups, I was able to get to know several students. I think I’m going to have a great time growing with this group, and the leaders were really cool too! Something I am looking forward to do with them is the Trevecca Field Day that occurs at the beginning of the semester where we compete as a team. If I am remembering correctly, our Team name is the Cranberries. At this point, it was time for dinner. Our group tried to sit together, but since it was so crowded, I only ended up sitting with two other girls. We had a great conversation for the next hour and a half, and I am glad to say I have officially made at least two friends. I can’t wait to meet many more.

I met up with Mom and Dad at this point and we headed over to the next session to learn about all the on-campus rules. It may have been information overload, but it was interesting to hear all of it. There was one last event Friday evening, but I had started to not feel very well, so we headed on home. After knocking myself out with some medicine, we were back to Trevecca early Saturday morning.

While we first gathered as a group, we were soon dismissed to our separate departments to be advised for classes. I went with the Religion department, where we were introduced to our professors and advisors. We learned about a couple of the activities we would be able to participate in over the next few years, and I have to say I am really excited about what I’ll be doing in the future, such as a 12-week mission trip/class! Once registering for classes was complete, Mom, Dad, and I headed over for lunch, which, once again, was amazing! Mom and Dad had planned to go on a date for their 22nd anniversary after orientation was complete, so we said our goodbyes while I was in line for my PO Box, and my first experience as a freshman was now checked off the list. I am looking forward to the experience God is about to take me on. I will never be the same again!

Jenna