The day before our trip to Naples Abigail had her college orientation at Fairfield University. We sure were excited and nervous the night before. There were a ton of tasks she / we had to get done before that orientation. All online: health forms, roommate questioners, language placement tests, and more! We were busy with those things throughout our crazy June -- even while her high school graduation festivities were going on.
The Drama
One : The orientation was the night before our big summer vacation to Naples so we had to be all packed and ready to go to Florida before orientation.
Two : Our washer broke -- mid cycle the day before orientation (we were to be going from 6:45 am - 8:00 pm) and two days before our trip. Yikes. Fixing a washer was not what we wanted to be working on. I actually had tons of laundry for the trip to do and I also wanted to leave the house with all of the laundry we weren't brining, all clean and away. I knew that coming home from the trip would have a ton. So much for getting all of the bedding and towels all washed and ready to come home to all cozy!
While I stressed out and picked out new ones on line to be delivered the day we came home from our trip, Scott ordered a new washing machine motor on Amazon to come at 4 am the day of Fairfield.
On the day of the orientation we got up at 4 am and he took apart the washer, put the new motor in and started to put it back together. We had to stop and get out the door for Fairfield (a little over an hour) by 6:45 so we left the washer looking like this until 8 pm!
Three: Heat -- The forecast for orientation day was to be 100 degrees. 100!!!! In Connecticut that is highly unusual. 80, sure, but never 100! And we would be walking around outside throughout the day.
Orientation Day
We left all of that washer and leaving the next morning drama behind us and drove to Abigail's future home away from home.
They sure did welcome us with joy! There were screaming, jumping greeters, balloons, flowers, and the most welcoming campus! Even in the parking garage there was a warm welcome.
There was a light breakfast provided and a welcome meeting (including prayer) together.
I was so moved by the prayer and honestly (just like Anna at Holy Cross) it felt so good to finally have her in a place that weaves faith with education. Finally.
Then we split up for the entire day.
Parents had meetings all day and future students had meetings all day. They registered for classes, met academic advisors, and learned about their first year. Parents learned about finances, the curriculum, activities, and more. (books that are required reading this summer for her)
We had lunch in their cafeteria and loved it! Abigail had lunch with her group for the day and her New Student Leader. (I did peek over just once and saw her laughing and talking - no pictures of that of course!)
At the end of the day it was so great to see our girl walking toward us. Hot, tired, and oh so happy!
My takeaway from orientation is that is a just a great stepping stone for college parents. They get to be on campus and have a whole day with new peers but yet get to come home with you at the end of the day. Perfect mix.
Afterward
We got home in the evening totally exhausted to our broken washer and a whole trip to get ready for. But we did it. I packed up with the girls while Scott finished fixing the washer. We didn't know if it would work after he put it all back together since we were guessing at what was wrong with it but it WORKED! I think I did four loads of laundry that evening before we left for our trip.
It seems that nothing this spring and early summer has been easy for us. There have been one big event after another. But long stretched out summer days will come soon!
My heart swells for this new college (and still for Anna's Holy Cross too), my girls, and all that lies ahead.