Onwards and Upwards!

Once a Bear, always a Bear. Today I helped new bears enter into their first hours of college here at UNC. Seeing families drive up and ask where they are supposed to go to check into their rooms. It was exciting to see everyone unload boxes, TV's, new bedding and watch parents say goodbye to their new freshman. It is always encouraging to see them and know that it is a new year.

For those of you who are just beginning to think about where you will go to college don't stress too much. There is a college or university out there that will fit your needs. In some cases it may be UNC or another school, who knows, but remember to look into everything from housing to majors, picking a school you'll love is about much more than just school it's about what else you'll do from clubs, becoming a RA or joining a Greek organization. There is something for everyone, its just a matter of finding it.

Anticipation and expectation

It's less than a week until Opening Day. Next thursday students from across the world will come to Greeley, Colorado to get their keys and move into their rooms. For some, like myself they'll get to be the inaugural group of students who will live in the New West Campus Residence Hall- South where it still smells like new floors and paint. It's exciting to know that classes are just around the corner and that everything is new. New grades, new people and new chances to be great.

I'm looking forward to the year and to the new students who will be living on campus. Even though I'm excited I know that the semester will go by fast and we'll soon be preparing for spring semester. It's college and it tends to fly by keeping everyone on their toes.

Of course from my end of things I've seen the excitment building, but wehn I was a freshman it was exhillerating to move in to my room and make friends so quickly. It's such a new environment, but it's worth it!

Different Lens'

Perspective. Clarity. Taking a step back or focusing in. During a retreat this weekend, one of my supervisors had a group of 70 student leaders fold a sticky note in half, and then in half again. She then had us tear out a small circle where all the corners met, and unfold it. We held the sticky note out in front of us and looked through the small whole which allowed us to see one person, and then we brought the sticky note up to our eyes and looked around again, noticing that we could see everything. The point was simple: sometimes we need to either focus in on the details, or take a step back to look at the big picture. I'm a very big picture type of person, but putting it into the context of being able to change how I focus, and to what degree is something that I think will help me be more understanding.

When it comes to class, or work, or even my friends, sometimes I need to focus in on the fact that I need to succeeded on the one paper, or that I need extra time to make sure that the people I care about are doing okay.

I guess my point is that we all get tunnel vision to one extreme or another and in college we need to learn to find a balance, and utilize the big picture and the details, or we are bound to miss something vital.