Less than a week - Dickinson here I come

In the final preparations before I head to Dickinson my anxiousness has started to turn into nervousness.  On Saturday, July 2nd, I will begin my journey to Carlisle, PA.  Even as I familiarize myself with the university to the best of my abilities, I can't help but be filled with thoughts over situations that are out of my control.  I have high hopes that this practicum experience will be everything I have built it in my mind, but I am finally starting to wonder what will happen if it falls short of my expectations.  Like any good Student Affairs professional, it will be my duty to make the best of it, learn as much as I can, and take back only the positives.  This experience is only going to help me when I get ready to leave Mississippi State after graduation and look elsewhere for my first job.

This past week I spent the majority of my free time preparing for the arrival by reading several websites and printed material provided to me by my supervisor.  This contained everything from the institutional mission,  information and paperwork on programs that I will be working on, direct sites to particular departments that I will work closely with, in addition to the future plans for the direction of their institution.  I was also given more information about my living facilities for the summer - I will be living in a 1960s on campus apartment style living facility.  Talk about taking it back old school, it will make me appreciate Zacharias Village that much more.  Maybe these dorms wont be made out of aluminum siding.  I also received the good news that I will be given $350 for meal money, so now extra attention was paid to the dining services website.  All of my questions, concerns and anxiousness will be somewhat answered on Sunday when I get to move into my new home!

Carrie