The Connection

Becoming a NSM was one of my biggest dreams that followed the end of my first year at Hamline.
I was so incredibly lucky to be chosen out of over 100 applicants.  I knew my life would be forever changed because of the OFYP program.

My first Piper Preview was terrifying, but I grew in confidence.  I knew that I had the innate ability to help make incoming  first-year students comfortable with their first full experience on Hamline's campus.  I had to use my intuition--something I knew I had--to feel out each group of students.  I did icebreakers, introductions of the campus, and just plainly talked/listened to the students.  Some had mentioned how they respected that I wasn't this crazy, overly extraverted human.  I was importantly the most authentic person I could be with them.  Following Previews, I mentioned to each group of students that they could connect with me over text, email, Facebook, Instagram if they had any other prevailing questions or concerns.  I was lucky enough to maintain some of these relationships throughout the summer and into the fall semester, even though, most of these students were not "my" first-years.

Training had come and gone, Passages was a flash.  When I was standing with the FYSEM 22 sign, the butterflies were back and I just hoped--more so prayed--that my students would like me.  We got into the first introduction circle outside of Sorin and they were tired--like all of us.  In that moment my intuition had to kick in, I needed to respect them, but also learn their names, something about them and get their contact information.  So in a mellow, cool tone I had them laughing and promised them that they only had to do a few cool icebreakers--that weren't too embarrassing.  We had grown together during Passages, but not how I expected.  There was respect and good attitudes--we were not a family by any means. I thought something was wrong.  Didn't I do everything right?

FYSEM 22 got to the classroom for the first class period.  Betsy, Chrissy, and I were all reacquainted after a chain of emails.  We were ready to work towards a great semester with the first-year students. As the weeks progressed,  the students didn't seem too enthusiastic about "What to Eat Now." Betsy, Chrissy, and I communicated weekly about how the FYSEM was doing and what we were planning. We did food on Thursdays with healthful and fun snacks, played educational games, etc. I would mention to the students about doing programs, but their schedule and my schedule were not compatible.  Nor were they impressed or interested.  We were not the "family" I was expecting.  In that light, I made sure the students knew I was a valuable resource and  that I had a presence in the classroom; they respected and ultimately wanted that.  The majority of my students were athletes who had their networks built well before Passages had even started and they continued those relationships beyond our FYSEM.  They were a very mature group that found respect for each other--I guess that's okay.  They are a great group of students who definitely had a plan coming into Hamline--much like myself.