First Week
SO….It’s been exactly 10 days since I’ve been a Carolina Gamecock, and so far, I’m loving every minute of it! I’ll have to admit, I was a little bit nervous at first when my parents said goodbye and walked out of my dorm room, leaving me with a perfect stranger, a loft bed, and some Pop-Tarts and Easy Mac. My first few nights at college were surreal; I felt like I was at summer camp for a week or two and that I’d be leaving pretty soon. But then reality hit, and I realized this was going to be my ‘home’ for the next nine months.
My first week was exciting and intimidating all at once. It was great to see old friends from high school, and even people I hadn’t seen since elementary school. I was completely honored to be designated to accept the Carolina Creed for the Freshman Class of 2010 at the New Student Convocation. It was a huge ceremony welcoming the freshman with speakers including USC Student Body President Tommy Preston and University President Andrew A. Sorenson. As I was sitting on the front row, waiting to be escorted on stage (yes, escorted…for the first time in my life) all I could think of was how I could embarrass myself on the way up there. You know, all the usual things came to mind: I could trip over the rug, face-planting into the podium; I could stand up, not knowing my dress was flipped up in the back revealing everything to the audience; or I could break the heel on my shoe and hobble the rest of the way. All would have been ‘great’ first impressions to an audience of thousands. Luckily, none of those thoughts came true! I accepted the creed from Tommy Preston and gracefully made my way back downstage. I am truly grateful for that experience.
Classes got off to a great start. (Note to new students: Be aware that there is a John Welsh Humanities Center and a Welsh Humanities Classroom Building.) I’ll give myself a little credit here. I at least made it to the right room number, but then stood outside for a second pondering why my English classroom was the size of a cardboard box, when a kind southern gentleman asked if I was a freshman. When I softly responded, “yes” he pointed me to the building next door. Other than that little mishap, classes have been going fine.
Off to read some lovely British Literature, though. Write more later this week (after we beat Miss. St.)! GO COCKS!