orientated

Yesterday was Orientation Day for me and many of the other transfer students who will be attending the University of Minnesota this fall. Before attending orientation, I managed to dredge up a few memories. First, I flashed back to my CSC orientation, which took place the weekend before school started. A whole weekend of thoughtfully planned and beautiful workshops and picnics and brunches and masses, or so I'm told. I wouldn't know as I skipped most of orientation.

The second memory involved visiting the U of MN bookstores, when I was a rep, during orientation week. Every time I saw a telltale yellow sign with maroon lettering, telling students "orientation this way," I would cringe. I don't know why I have such an aversion to orientation, and I don't wish to examine it too closely, but I did decide that I was going to be cheerful and listen to every word uttered by an orientation "leader," without rolling my eyes.

When I walked into the Main Hall at Coffman Memorial Union, I saw a number of adults who were my age—each of which was accompanying their eighteen-year-old. It was really hard to fight the feeling that I didn't belong here. But, soon, students were divided into their colleges. With a handful of other College of Design students—interior design and graphic design—over to the St. Paul campus, to the building, McNeal Hall, where all my interior design classes will be held.

At McNeal Hall, I listened attentively to presentations on campus involvement opportunities, career services, and study abroad programs, among others. I also had a chance to see how my credits transferred from St. Kate's (all but PE and Sister Vera Chester's Intro to World Religions class?!), as well as the outlay of my program. Then, I met my adviser; took a tour of the classrooms, studio, and lab; and registered for classes.

I am so excited I can hardly stand it. My adviser is cool and will be a great help. The studio and lab were inspiring. and, my classes, well, I can't wait! For the first semester I am enrolled in the following: foundations in color design; intro to design thinking, which has an extra discussion section; and studio 1, where I will create my portfolio for the review I need to pass to start year two. Next week I'll order my textbooks online.

Until then, there's much to do...a house to get in order, freelance work to line up, Camp Mom to conduct, friends to see before I disappear.