2008 Woodie Awards
A Fresh First Day
Christine Aubin
Issue date: 9/18/03 Section: Feature
- Page 1 of 1
Although it was 13 years ago, I can still clearly remember my first day of kindergarten. I was so excited to be starting "big girl school." I had a My Little Pony lunchbox and what I thought were really cool saddle shoes. Waiting in the playground with my mom and dad, I heard the announcement that it was time to say goodbye and go inside. Suddenly, the excitement vanished. As my mom pushed me from the outside and my teacher pulled me in, I thought, "School is not fun."
On August 30th, while I carried box after box of my belongings up the three flights of stairs to my room in Alumni Hall, I couldn't help thinking back to kindergarten. Despite having completed an additional 12 years of school and having grown a few feet taller since then, some things haven't changed. Like the first day of kindergarten, the first day of college also marked the beginning of a new journey. Again, I would be leaving the comforts of home and experiencing a new and unfamiliar lifestyle. I still think saddle shoes are cool.
Yet, so many other things have changed. A meal plan and a plastic ID card have replaced the My Little Pony lunchbox. I now think school can be fun. More important, however, is that no one is pushing me through the doorway anymore. During my first week as an Assumption College student, I realized how different that change could be.
I have five courses this semester. Some days, I have to get up for class earlier than other days. There is no more Mom to yell at me impatiently from the kitchen, "You only have ten minutes to get ready!" Just as teachers warned me in high school, college professors do not guide you by the hand. Do I want to do my homework or watch Trading Spaces? It's all about choices; nobody is pushing me anymore.
Welcome Back Week was filled with activities that helped to ease the transition from home to college. I went to many of the events with the friends I have made in my hall. Watching Hypnotist Steve Meade and laughing along with Comedian Louis Ramey together gave us common ground and conversation starters. The almost instant camaraderie that forms among freshman in the residence halls is similar to that of kindergarten relationships; whether it's talking over dinner at Taylor or sharing a box of crayons, one can sense the "Do you want to be my best friend?" desperation among newcomers.
Slowly, I am beginning to settle into my new life. I find myself referring to Alumni Hall as "home." I'm starting to like Taylor's food. Sometimes, when the excitement wears off, the little kindergartener inside me needs that little push through the door. However, the college girl is always ready to pull her into the building, saddle shoes and all.
On August 30th, while I carried box after box of my belongings up the three flights of stairs to my room in Alumni Hall, I couldn't help thinking back to kindergarten. Despite having completed an additional 12 years of school and having grown a few feet taller since then, some things haven't changed. Like the first day of kindergarten, the first day of college also marked the beginning of a new journey. Again, I would be leaving the comforts of home and experiencing a new and unfamiliar lifestyle. I still think saddle shoes are cool.
Yet, so many other things have changed. A meal plan and a plastic ID card have replaced the My Little Pony lunchbox. I now think school can be fun. More important, however, is that no one is pushing me through the doorway anymore. During my first week as an Assumption College student, I realized how different that change could be.
I have five courses this semester. Some days, I have to get up for class earlier than other days. There is no more Mom to yell at me impatiently from the kitchen, "You only have ten minutes to get ready!" Just as teachers warned me in high school, college professors do not guide you by the hand. Do I want to do my homework or watch Trading Spaces? It's all about choices; nobody is pushing me anymore.
Welcome Back Week was filled with activities that helped to ease the transition from home to college. I went to many of the events with the friends I have made in my hall. Watching Hypnotist Steve Meade and laughing along with Comedian Louis Ramey together gave us common ground and conversation starters. The almost instant camaraderie that forms among freshman in the residence halls is similar to that of kindergarten relationships; whether it's talking over dinner at Taylor or sharing a box of crayons, one can sense the "Do you want to be my best friend?" desperation among newcomers.
Slowly, I am beginning to settle into my new life. I find myself referring to Alumni Hall as "home." I'm starting to like Taylor's food. Sometimes, when the excitement wears off, the little kindergartener inside me needs that little push through the door. However, the college girl is always ready to pull her into the building, saddle shoes and all.