The Adventures of a First-Year...

 Many of you reading this blog may be seniors, or even juniors, in high school and yes, you’re finally the ones graduating and the ones who “rule the school” [or so many seniors appear to think]. I was in your shoes at this time last year and was anxiously waiting a few more college decision letters. As I stated in my first blog, after receiving my college decision letters I threatened to draw a college name out of a hat, and at one point I even labeled three different tea sweetener packets and closed my eyes and picked one [just so you know, I picked UVa…all THREE times]. My mother didn’t really think this seemed like the best way to choose a college, so I started making pro and con lists. Eventually I came to the conclusion that I would attend UVa, which you probably could’ve guessed since you’re reading a UVa Blog. Anyways now after jogging your memory about my background, I figured I’d let you in on some of the great experiences of being a first-year, [even though this means you will no longer be the oldest in the school]! 

I thought picking a college based on the Sweet'N Low packet seemed like a GOOD IDEA!

A day-in-the-life…I’ll start with dorm life. Well there are basically three sets of dorms from the way I see it: Old Dorms (McCormick Road), Alderman Road Dorms (from Balz-Dobie and Watson-Webb to Courtenay House), and Gooch-Dillard Residence Hall. I live in Gooch-Dillard, a co-ed residence area that is composed of suites that house between 5 and 6 people per suite and consists of individual bedrooms and one bathroom. Some of you may know where Gooch-Dillard is from visiting and the quote you will inevitably hear if you live in Gooch-Dillard is, “Oh, I’m so sorry! You are so far from everything…” Well I’m not going to deny this quote per se, but I will try to put a positive spin on it because Gooch-Dillard has a few perks such as your own bedroom, AIR CONDITIONING, a quick walk to Scott Stadium, and best of all, you’ll keep OFF the FRESHMAN FIFTEEN.  Gooch-Dillard is now my “home-away-from-home” which may sound cliché, but I have actually enjoyed dorm life. I have become good friends with my Resident Advisor, Sarah, and have met some of the most amazing people in Gooch-Dillard from our First-Year President, Andrew, to my friends who I typically give a “shout-out” to in these blogs! Many of the people you meet in your dorm are going to help you survive the first week here and encourage you and push you to thrive during your college career, these people become your support system. 

Welcome to Gooch-Dillard (my "home away from home") 

Balz-Dobie

Speaking of surviving the first week, the transition from college is a BIG one for many people because you are now on your own, have to think independently, and act like a “young adult.” Sometimes college classes are great because you won’t do work for a week or two at a time, but don’t let this fool you because typically it creeps up on you, so time management is definitely a great skill to acquire [I am still working on this one]. However, don’t fear the big transition because everyone handles it in their own way, but believe me when I say YOU WILL be able to handle the transition. Yes, classes are harder than high school classes and AP classes, and to my dismay many teachers don’t give you a study guide before every test, but most of the work is manageable and teachers hold office hours to help you out [take advantage of these because I didn’t very much first semester and I really regret not taking the opportunity to meet my professors one-on-one].

 My friends and I at the Virginia Gentlemen Concert

Now that I have given you a few helpful hints, let me warn you that ALMOST EVERY upperclassmen will rag on you for being a “First-Year,” but let me tell you a little secret, I was informed by a recent graduate that it is simply because all the upperclassmen wish they were us. Being a First-Year is one of the greatest years of your life and probably one of the greatest at college because all your classmates live on Grounds with you, almost no first-year has a car so you bond over riding the bus and or free-trolley, and you don’t have to pick a major or go into the real world anytime soon [this is probably why the upperclassmen envy us the most].

 And "Hoo" doesn't want to look at this for the next FOUR years?!

So some of you following my blog might remember that in my first blog I had just accepted the opportunity to volunteer through Madison House Med Services at the UVA Medical Center/Hospital…. at 5:30AM on Monday mornings. Well I stuck with it all through the first semester and I am now continuing onto another semester. Luckily, I don’t have to walk all the way to the hospital in the morning, especially since it's dark and COLD. I catch a shuttle around 4:55/5:00AM in the Scott Stadium parking lot, which is pretty close to my dorm, Gooch-Dillard.  

Unfortunately, it’s pretty cold in Charlottesville right now, especially at 5:00AM.

However, you’ll eventually adjust to the temperature…or I should say you’ll adjust as best you can to the often-changing weather in the state of Virginia.

The organization that has provided me with this opportunity is MADISON HOUSE. Madison House is a non-profit organization that is run by students and helps to get students involved in philanthropic activities as well as helps to build student leaders. Madison House offers activities at 110+. Some of the activities they offer are Pet Pals, Athletics, Adopt-A-Grandparent, or even English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). It’s pretty easy to get involved with most of the groups because you just submit either an online application or a paper application in the office and then they let you know when you’ll be able to volunteer with the program.

 Madison House also provides students to gain leadership experience. Maybe after a year or two of experience with one of Madison House’s programs you can apply to be a Program Director (PD) or a Head Program Director. A Program Director is a student leader who coordinates volunteers, communicates with the Community Partners, and works with other Program Directors. The Head Program Director on the other hand oversees anywhere from 5-20 Program Directors. And although you probably don’t know much about these now (because I hadn’t even heard of Madison House when I got to UVA…) it’s important to know that there are countless ways to get involved at UVA and in volunteering activities on and off Grounds.

I would say Madison House is definitely a program to get involved with around Grounds. Whether you are looking to volunteer, gain experience, or want to be a leader it provides you with countless opportunities to accomplish any of those goals. I actually recently signed up to coach soccer to children ranging in ages from 4 to 6. I am so excited for that program to start in March and will hopefully even get to coach with one of my friends! So keep an eye out for Madison House and definitely check out UVA Activity Fairs for more programs and details!

Here’s the link for Madison House’s Website: http://www.madisonhouse.org

Also if you have any questions about UVA or want to know more about Madison House, feel free to shoot me an email at ler7pb@virginia.edu !