The first opportunity to truly immerse myself into the college culture, make connections, and maintain independency: these were some of the thoughts that raced through my mind as I walked through the doors of my future. The common room was vast and friendly; despite arriving 10 minutes prior to the scheduled check-in time; there was already a line which had formed. Oh yes, these were definitely honors kids, without a doubt. I remember waving goodbye to my parents after signing in and receiving my nametag, the details still vivid in my mind. On Sunday, June 26th, in the upperclassmen housing, there we were, the fresh kids, attending the program hosted by the Honors Group.
There was a brief seminar, which being honest, was quite vague in my mind and then the highlight of the day, the instruction of the Irish Jig. The place I would least expect to was where I met my best friend, Destiny Foster. Of course, we began with name jokes as we were instructed on the Irish dance, “Oh, another Destiny’s child joke, I love hearing those,” she repeated to me. And, now as I reflect back, I realize that that I had practically found another me: late-night studying, a love-hate relationship for running, and the slight (maybe not-so-slight) obsession for trap music. This was beginning to turn into the ideal experience as I discovered more friends who shared my love for ice-cream and practically anything sweet. A few hours later after the volunteering event where the importance of volunteering and service was demonstrated in rotations, the honors students were allowed to venture off and either stay in the common room or play a game of volleyball. No matter how tired I was or in need for a rest, I would never pass up a game and so immediately Destiny and I jumped in. The clock rolled on and the hours passed to almost two in the morning, before we realized and we had to be up by seven the next day. This would leave less than six hours for the night, what a great prediction for the upcoming semester. Some things just don’t change from high school.
The following day was more informational and followed the format of an actual orientation. Although the honors kids were given the first look at the college the day before, more and more Stockton students began to pile in and it was like the first day again. Regardless, the look of familiar faces among the crowd was comforting. The day was certainly eventful and after its brief ending at approximately four in the afternoon, it served as a beneficial jump into the summer season.
Again and again, I had the chance to meet these honors kids from the S.O.A.R. program to Welcome Week events, and now through class. The overnight orientation, indubitably, was a great event to explore the school, social life and new friends. I would recommend this to any incoming freshman who wishes to meet some amazing friends and truly enjoy that college experience. Commonly, the issue with prospective high schoolers refusing to join the honors program arises from the requirement of honors courses; yet, in my opinion, these courses function more as a relief rather than a burden. Often, students, like myself, are so caught up in our visions of their desired professions, a computer scientist, chemical engineer, doctor, etc., that we forget to learn about the world through different lens, quite past our course requirements. This newly found perspective from a myriad of courses divides society into educated individuals and the typical book worms.All in all, the program is exceptional and defined by the students which embody it; the experience is what you can make of it.