and moving to the University of South Carolina for one month. I have lived in Starkville now for almost seven years and have lived in Mississippi for 24. This Friday that all will change. I will be moving in with a family of FIVE, yes FIVE! My host family has three children so growing up in a quiet house, this will be a fun change of pace for me!
I would be lying if I said I was not terrified about this move though. I have always be comfortable in Starkville and at Mississippi State, and now, the thought of a new place gives me goose bumps (half good and half bad ha!)
Although not all of the feelings I have are scary ones, I could not be more thrilled to be working in an office that makes transition easier and more fun for students. The University of South Carolina has on their Engagement website, The Sophomore Initiative Site (TSI), a link to videos of students talking about how they feel as sophomores. These students have a variety of different feelings and experiences that they share in this video. These sophomore students speak about being nervous, but looking forward to knowing where more places and things are on campus, how they want to make a difference, wanting to meet more friends. Well what a coincidence, ME TOO! I have mentioned before, I really love the transition phase of student life, this is mainly because I went through transition and was unaware of it in college, as most college students are oblivious to what is going on in the different phases. I am very interested in learning the strategies and theories that USC uses as they focus on sophomore students. I truly believe that ALL students (not just freshmen and sophomores) go through transition. I am excited to also think about during this experience how I can take what I learn in the office and tweak it to use with students of all classifications.
EVERY student deserves a chance at succeeding and I am committed to making sure that I am an advocate for the underdogs of higher education, because this is a group that is not over overlooked, but ignored. Each and every student deserves to find their niche. I want to do my best to make sure that happens.
Service-Learning and Peer Leadership are two ways that the Office of Student Engagement encourages students to get involved which I hope my experience at MSU will help in my service to those groups.
I look forward to being able to not only learn about transition in the next four weeks, but experiencing it.
The road to our dreams is not always easy, I know mine has not been, but I am so proud to say that I have worked hard to be able to go on this journey not only to USC and to experience new people and places in Columbia, but the experience to meet and share my life with this SA cohort. I truly believe that without the 11 of you that have stuck by my side, my family and friends, this would not be a reality today for me. So THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. Carpe Diem!
Avent,
ReplyDeleteI love the post-it note. What a great quote and a great challenge as you depart for USC. I was at USC Aiken this last weekend and learned a great deal about the relationship between the schools. There is a lot of work to be done in SC and I think you will be the one to do it. Continue to reflect on your future as a practitioner and how this experience will impact your work and your growth.
You are going to have a life altering experience (and I'm not talking about the three kids either)!
Dr. H
Avent,
ReplyDeleteI know that you started your practicum today & I hope that it is more than you dreamed of! OI completely understand what it feels like to leave the place your heart is in. It's refreshing to see that you and I experience some of the same things when it comes to our journey...it will pay off in the long run. You are going to be amazing at USC and I can't wait to hear about the beginning of your experience.
Dejanae