This week has concluded my first week of college (Mom, I did it!). These past 2 weeks have been such an adventure and I would love to share it all with you.
August 14-21
I left home at 3 in the morning to catch my flight to Baltimore. While waiting at the gate, I struck up a conversation with a girl who looked about to be my age. And guess what? She was also an incoming freshman at JHU!
It turns out that she went to a rival high school and we ended up sitting next to each other on the plane and talking the whole way. I have now met the other six incoming students from Colorado and let me tell you, it’s good to find people from home.
We got off the plane, took a Shuttle Bus to the Homewood Campus, and proceeded to move in. I met my amazing roommate and spent the day exploring campus with my pre-orientation group.
Pre-Orientation was amazing- I would highly recommend it to all incoming freshman. It is a little pricey but scholarships are available (that’s what I did!). My group was Multi-Element 3, affectionally known as “Multi-3”. The group was made up a conglomeration of eight kids and two mentors- each with their own interests and personalities. We went hiking, backpacking, canoeing, white water rafting, and climbing. We did all this (and more) while not taking a shower for a week. Best way to get close to people? Pre-Orientation: where we all stink together. It was great getting to know them and they are still some of my closest friends today.
We returned the day of move in, cleaned the gear, and were free to take showers. Our suite mates were already moved in, so my roommate and I got to meet them and their parents after a week of no showers. I can’t even begin to imagine what might have been going through their minds when they saw us. Probably something along the lines of: “Why do these girls look like they haven’t taken a shower in a week, is this going to be a regular thing?”. But really my suite mates are very kind, fun, and understanding. And not gonna lie: Best shower of my life.
August 21-27
Orientation
Now, here’s where the fun stuff starts. After we all moved in there was a social movie night on the beach- which, of course, consisted of more “social” than “movie”. The orientation schedule was packed with events, info sessions, and fun activities. I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I’ve been asked (and vice versa): What my major is, what dorm I’m staying in, and where I’m from. My friend wrote a great article on 6 Things You Say at Orientation.
We explored the city of Baltimore, ate good food, laughed a lot, and took a huge class picture. Yup, all 1,305 of us.
August 27-present
First day of classes! I had 2 classes Thursday and one on Friday, so I was very productive. I met a lot of new people, learned new card games, hit some frat parties, played Ultimate, took the wrong bus back to Homewood, did my laundry, played Settler of Catan non stop, explored and finally I am now in the library doing the homework I should have done two days ago. Go college.
So how was my first week of college? A blast. I am definitely looking forward to another year of this #gohop
The So-Journer's Guide to Hopkins 