I’m on my own now. After all my college stuff has been moved into my cubicle for a room, after mom cried and dad gave me the speech on responsiblity, I began to write the first chapter in my college experience.
The first couple of hours were spent in preparation and anxious pondering about my roommate and the guys in my corridor. I pondered on the type of personalities they would have? Would they be interested in the same hobbies such as myself? Could I develop a relationship with total strangers? These are questions that roamed not only through my own mind but through the mind of every single freshman student on campus. I guess the fear of the unknown kept us at bay for those initial hours. Everyone has the perception that college is a time to be open and discover a new world, but we all came from areas in which people knew our names, backgrounds and personalities, Having to start over with new people is daunting.
After surfing on facebook for way to long , my roommate arrived. We had talked briefly over the summer but it was exhilarating to hear his voice, watch his demeanor, and understand his background. We had striking differences; I am a democrat, he is a republican. He comes from a long line of college graduates. I am the first in my family to attend college. He is more reserved and introverted at first. While I am sort of loud and willing to strike up the most random conversations. With a few differences came many similarities: We both enjoyed history and politics. We both placed an emphasis on networking, academics and continued individual growth. It turns out we live well together, utilizing the skills such as cooperation, consideration and genuine compassion.
Meeting Dan for the first time put me in the welcoming mood. If nobody wanted to come out, then I would go to them. In Batman and Robin type of fashion, we both walked down the halls knocking on every door as we went by. Everyone received us with hospitality and willingness to introduce themselves. On occasion the guys we met were under the same impression as our own, they wanted to be open but didn’t know the avenues to start from. As the tour went on we found other bands of freshmen walking thorough the halls trying to obtain the same objective we had set. The story was the same all over: parents were gone, new environment, how do I meet people without coming off as weird or intrusive? In a comical way we were all in the same boat just blind to the other passengers in it.
Meeting people for the first time is one thing yet breaking through the frigid disconnect that comes with meeting someone foreign was difficult. Usually the conversation would revolve around the basics: name, origin, and major. Outside of that the conversation turned icy and some what awkward. I thought what helped bond myself with the guys in corridor was the common interest. We all considered ourselves scholars worthy of independent thought. Walk through our halls and listen in on the conversations surrounding race, socioeconomic, current politics, and even gender relations. We dine together frequently, never leaving until the gang is together. We even have similarities in television shows. On any given day around four o’ clock you can bet that at least ten guys are huddled together watching repeats of The West Wing.
Two weeks into my freshman experience I am becoming more acquainted with campus (even if I get lost sometimes) and I’m getting situated with my classes. But the most endearing step is building relationships that will stand past this year and the next. I truly feel connected and at home with my brothers.