SO Part 2: Sessions 1 & 2

So I started SO#1 a little shakily. I was a little reluctant to socialize with the freshmen, yet somehow, with a little help from some friends, found it quite easy to do. I was a group leader for SO#1 and I must say it was a good group to start off with. None of them caused any problems, the ratio was 2 to 1, and they actually listened to what I said. As the day progressed, I settled into a more comfortable niche in general; I was openly talking to parents and giving private tours of the residence halls.

I found that I was much smarter than I thought. When I got my group of freshmen, I would lead them to the DCC while spouting off every fact I could think of during the short trip there. It was incredible; I never imagined I would be able to do that. Toward the end of the day I answer questions for parents to the best of my abilities. My fellow advisor there said I did a terrific job for a first time. I proceeded to have no trouble introducing myself in front of one-hundred strangers for the third time in the day, though I did end up missing dinner.

The New Student Celebration has become the highlight of SO, every night. SO#1 was amazing, though it was just the beginning of the NSCs to follow. I’ve never felt so comfortable among a group of people before.

The day after, I stood before a lecture hall of parents and answered questions. Somehow I wasn’t nervous at all. I don’t know what happened to me, but I’m enjoying every second.

SO#2 began with a hitch. I was MC for the parent check-in, but unlike the students, it seems that most parents will just keep on going with their conversations regardless of who is talking over the loud mic. I grew annoyed with the task and just waited it out until it was done. I spent the majority of the day at the Help Desk in the DCC. I really enjoy being able to answer parents’ questions, especially when I have complete confidence in the answer and they really seem to appreciate my direction. However, I was also the tour captain at the DCC and this crowd was just unbelievable. We sent out tours about every 15 minutes, but the parents refused to get into manageable groups. The residence halls were overloaded with parents pushing their futile attempt to see their child’s rooms. BARH was a mess. Quad is ridiculous because the stack being shown isn’t a freshmen residence hall. Most parents don’t seem to care that Barton Hall is designed to hold triples; all they want is what they think will make their child happy. Most of them are dead wrong, but refuse to admit it.

All this chaos led to a pretty crappy afternoon.

New Student Celebration is a lifesaver. SO#2’s easily beat #1’s; we had an almost 100 person tunnel as well as a conga line snaking throughout the entire Union. The music seemed a little better, especially since I know how to dance to most of them now. The talent of the classes never ceases to amaze me. I love when we open a circle into the packed floor and random people break dance in the middle. The best part was our costumes however; we went as lifeguards with sweet Sharpie’d and spray painted shirts accompanied with visors, sunglasses and sunscreen. I’m going to miss the Nugent community when July 26th rolls around.

So from a mediocre day, I’ve successfully had a turnaround. Now it’s 12:10 AM and I’m off to help my floormate’s students with their schedules. This might be a long night, but I’m gonna brave it just because.

Addendum: I stayed up until 5:30. Not doing schedules. I love SO.

~ by Jake on 19 July 2008.