Chicora College for Women - Nods and Becks Yearbook (Columbia, SC)

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A New Beginning BITTERSWEET — the best and the worst of...well, every- thing! This has been the most exciting time of my life: mov- ing away from home (finally!), being surrounded by new, in- teresting people, and begin- ning a completely different kind of school. Yet each won- derful new experience has something scary about it. I sought out a college with peo- ple of various backgrounds and interests because I wanted to learn about life outside of my town, but now that I am sur- rounded by strangers, I want to be home with my high school friends, enemies, ac- quaintances, anyone familiar! I recall the common complaints about our rural high school fondly as I struggle through tests, schedules, and registra- tion, all the while cringing at the thought of writing papers, failing exams, and staying up all night every night, studying. Nothing has touched the dual nature of these experi- ences as Orientation has! I ar- rived on campus with four hours to move my most impor- tant possessions into one half of a dull, claustrophobic room. Of course, the whole family comes along to help create mass con- fusion and carry boxes through a jungle of luggage, boxes, cars, girls, parents, little brothers, and dark hallways. While un- packing, sorting, and getting THEM to go on their way, I meet my roommate, other freshmen, and too many leaders advisors resident somethings or other to re- member. As if this is not enough, we are shuffled off to socials, din- ners, meetings, parties, and field trips. In between running to do all of this and sleeping, I somehow find time to unpack, decorate, figure out a schedule, get acquainted with the strange people, and even write letters to friends. As Orientation drags on, I begin to feel as if I belong here. I realize this is a challenge — to accept and learn to like the changes while holding on to the distant things I still love: friends, home, a familiar small town. I dread classes, but long to settle into a familiar pattern and to be finished with the happy camper routine. Even with its scary newness and tir- ing activities, Orientation has been a great way to get used to college life and become a part of Queens. Without it, I would have been bewildered going into registration and classes and would not know my class- mates at Queens. Returning from a very wet ride at Caro- winds during Orientation are freshmen Verma Truman, Ivy Lim, Christy Vance, and Holly Roberts. Orientation leaders and Resident Assis- tants helped freshmen find their rooms and assisted in the chore of moving things into the rooms.