You’ve heard it all before: university is a time to make new friends, a time to learn (even if it is just how to cook for yourself) and a time to experience life in ways you never thought were possible. But university is also a time of transition, a time of unknowns, and a time that will challenge and stretch your faith – and let me tell you… this is the stuff I underestimated.
The aspect of my first year experience that taught me these things the most was dorm life. It might be easy enough to read up on the classes you might be taking and the professors you’ll have and maybe even the orientation events you’ll be participating in as a first year student at Redeemer, but it might not be so easy to prepare for dorm life (trust me, preparing for this requires a little more than stalking your new housemates on Facebook).
- First thing to remember: you’re being welcomed. Those who attend Redeemer are usually pretty enthusiastic about new students and want to share their excitement. Try not to be too overwhelmed. Move-in Day is filled with hello’s and registration and goodbye’s and unpacking. When your head hits the pillow for the very first time you might feel anxious or elated or intimidated or inspired. What’s more likely is that you’ll feel a messy combination of all of these emotions and more. The greatest thing about the first few days on campus is that the excitement is contagious.