Screw ups and the art of making friends
We’ve waited roughly 18 years and spent thousands of dollars for this, and now our time has come. University South Dakota, be prepared: The class of 2018 is here.
But with that anticipation and itch to get started with the rest of our lives comes quite a few learning curves, some of which have already crept into the first days on campus.
Most students have been on campus for almost a week, with a few exceptions like fall athletics, the marching band and some student organizations.
The Volante is one of these student organizations that moved to campus early. Along with four other first-years, I moved into the dorms a week early for a staff retreat. Because I moved in early I got used to hot showers and solitude on my dorm floor in North Complex.
I wish I hadn’t, because the showers are now tepid at best unless you shower at night, and there’s a towering student roaming my floor who likes to walk into everyone’s rooms at random times and introduce himself.
Don’t get me wrong, though, just about everyone likes this guy. He’s the one who makes the floor as sociable as it is. I was at Wal-Mart earlier this week and he talked to anyone he met there.
And if it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have met as many people as I have and for that, I owe him a huge thank you. This past week has been a blast because of him and the people I’ve met.
Unfortunately, it hasn’t all been good. My second day here I made a cup of coffee in the Keurig I wanted so badly for my room, but I forgot to put a cup beneath the dispenser resulting in hot coffee spilling over my desk and onto my legs.
I also forgot to remove a pot of jambalaya from the stove and smoked up the entire floor. Let me just say that smoke and the fresh linens-scented Febreeze does not mix well.
All in all, I’ve had a great time here and I’m looking forward to seeing what the rest of the year brings — screw-ups and all. And first-years: Please, for the love of all that is good in the world, do not forget your cups when making coffee.
