Square One: Not a Bad Place to Be
Troy Lampenfeld, Philosophy
I arrived on campus at my home away from home, brimming with nostalgic glee and prepared for the adventures to be brought by my sophomore year. After unpacking and checking out my new place I bid farewell to dog Stanley and my mother who was of course crying as she does any time she drops me at school. This wasn’t quite a normal arrival however; the place was a ghost town compared to what I remembered move in day looking like my freshman year. In fact, I was alone for most of my first day on campus. After all the only people on campus were athletes, faculty, and of course the rest of the River Stewards whom I would grow to know and love over the next few days.
I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t nervous walking into my first day of orientation. A fresh set of faces and names to learn, new relationships to be explored, and a lot of impressions to make. Despite my nerves however, I made it through the day and through the whole wonderful process of orientation. From being educated on Dayton’s aquifer to laughing with new friends around the fire to paddling through the fountains in downtown Dayton, I loved every second of it. But for the time being I’ll spare you the details of orientation, they’re memories that I’ll cherish for the rest of my life, but I think for now I’d like to talk instead about what the experience did for me.
Sophomore year of college I believe will prove to be one of the most formative years of my life. The start of my first semester was the first time that I’d been left entirely to my own devices, living in my own apartment, making my own money and managing my life without the close supervision of parents and guidance counselors that I had freshman year. Freedom to go in whatever direction I chose. Square one. This was my opportunity to prove to myself what I was capable of, but to do that I’d need dedication and conviction.
Now my life before this year wasn’t devoid of those principles, but because of experiences like River Stewards orientation I carved those values deeper into my character, not only in regard to my work ethic, but also my beliefs. Orientation helped to start off one of the most important years of my life by renewing my resolve and reminding me of the reason I’m in school. I gained so much in just a few days it was near unfathomable.
Along with this tremendous benefit to my development as an adult, orientation simultaneously reminded me that even in a time where every pressure in my life points toward responsibility and adulthood, it’s okay to be a kid sometimes. Learning and becoming better while having fun and embracing the things I loved to do showed me that being responsible and dedicated doesn’t have to mean losing myself in the process. And while a stern face and a stiff demeanor are often necessary to get by in the world, every once in a while, it pays to be a kid.
So, as I continue through sophomore year, the starting block for the rest of my life, I stand ready to face down challenges that come my way, and excited take them on with a smile. Much of this confidence I owe to those few long days on the River with my good friends. Thank you all, I won’t forget it.
I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t nervous walking into my first day of orientation. A fresh set of faces and names to learn, new relationships to be explored, and a lot of impressions to make. Despite my nerves however, I made it through the day and through the whole wonderful process of orientation. From being educated on Dayton’s aquifer to laughing with new friends around the fire to paddling through the fountains in downtown Dayton, I loved every second of it. But for the time being I’ll spare you the details of orientation, they’re memories that I’ll cherish for the rest of my life, but I think for now I’d like to talk instead about what the experience did for me.
Sophomore year of college I believe will prove to be one of the most formative years of my life. The start of my first semester was the first time that I’d been left entirely to my own devices, living in my own apartment, making my own money and managing my life without the close supervision of parents and guidance counselors that I had freshman year. Freedom to go in whatever direction I chose. Square one. This was my opportunity to prove to myself what I was capable of, but to do that I’d need dedication and conviction.
Now my life before this year wasn’t devoid of those principles, but because of experiences like River Stewards orientation I carved those values deeper into my character, not only in regard to my work ethic, but also my beliefs. Orientation helped to start off one of the most important years of my life by renewing my resolve and reminding me of the reason I’m in school. I gained so much in just a few days it was near unfathomable.
Along with this tremendous benefit to my development as an adult, orientation simultaneously reminded me that even in a time where every pressure in my life points toward responsibility and adulthood, it’s okay to be a kid sometimes. Learning and becoming better while having fun and embracing the things I loved to do showed me that being responsible and dedicated doesn’t have to mean losing myself in the process. And while a stern face and a stiff demeanor are often necessary to get by in the world, every once in a while, it pays to be a kid.
So, as I continue through sophomore year, the starting block for the rest of my life, I stand ready to face down challenges that come my way, and excited take them on with a smile. Much of this confidence I owe to those few long days on the River with my good friends. Thank you all, I won’t forget it.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.