Albertus Magnus College Student Blogger

Albertus Magnus College Student Blogger

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Last Day of Orientation

Orientation 2009
 
 
Today was the last day of Orientation! It was such a great experience and I am very proud of the Student Orientation Counselors! They had to pick up the slack while I was student teaching during the day and they did a wonderful job. The returning students moved back today and tt was great to see all the people I have grown attached to over the last few years.
I received my first grade book and my staff parking permit today. It made me feel so… official and important. It really doesn’t seem real… I’m a senior? I’m a student teacher? WHERE DID THE LAST THREE YEARS GO?! I have to admit, I am rather excited to be at this point in my life, but I can’t believe how quickly it came. I remember my Orientation. I was so eager to move in and meet all of my classmates. I came to school that day wearing my new Albertus Magnus College shirt and a HUGE smile. My SOC was awesome… Tiffany Williams… (HI TIFF!!!) She made me feel a part of the community, immediately. She is a huge reason as to why I became a SOC my sophomore year. I wanted other people to have the same experience that I did. The first night… I spent in the common room of McAuliffe Hall with my new friends. Sam Farley was the first person I hung out with. It seems like it was yesterday.
I have decided that green tea will be my new best friend. I wake up before the sun, five days a week. I’m really hoping my body adjusts to that because 5 AM comes rather quickly. This student teaching experience is going to be a journey. Mrs. Landa, my cooperating teacher is so supportive and encouraging. She makes sure that I have all the information I need so that I may be successful.

Monday, August 27, 2012

August 27th

My alarm went off… 5:00 AM! I’m a student teacher today.
 

The entire ride to the school was spent calming my nerves, telling myself I can do it, and remembering all the kind and encouraging comments I received from friends, family, former teachers, and the faculty at Albertus.

When I started to walk through the hallway, I became completely overwhelmed, and there were so many students hugging and catching up. I reached Lisa Landa’s classroom and I began to calm down. My juniors were first and we had a shortened class period. It happened so quickly, it was kind of a blur. Freshmen entered the classroom next and I felt the same way as them: shy, meek, and nervous. After their class, I perked up and felt more comfortable.
This was day one. I am officially back in high school but on the other side.
 I’m the teacher!

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Senior Year?

Senior year is here. WHAT?! I’m in my final lap at Albertus… does not seem possible.
Over the summer, I worked two jobs and worked on New Student Orientation details. This week, the Student Orientation Counselors are working together to prepare for the new students to arrive on campus Sunday morning. There is tons of energy in the campus center as we are working. I love working with the SOCs, because they are an amazing group of students.
Orientation starts Sunday and goes until Tuesday. Tuesday is also the day when the returning students move back. Starting Monday, August 27, I will begin my student teaching experience. I’m BEYOND nervous and excited; it is quite the mix of emotions. I’m teaching two freshmen classes and one honors junior class. It will be interesting to see the students from the teacher’s perspective as I try to educate them.
I have also moved into my first apartment this year! I am living in Middletown with my best friend of sixteen years, Shannon. Our apartment is so cute and in really quiet neighborhood. I am happy to be able to blog again and keep everyone informed about my experiences as a senior. Expect more posts about Orientation, we are working very hard and cannot wait to meet the new members of our Falcon family!

The picture above is the Orientation Survival Guide that we gave the SOCs this year!
Orientation Survival Guide:
  • Highlighters to brighten your day
  • Band aids to heal someone’s hurt feelings
  • Gum to stay fresh
  • Hugs and kisses to know you’re loved
  • Paper clip to hold everything together
  • Elastic band to be flexible
  • Lifesavers to lean on your support system
  • Erasers to know its okay to make mistakes
  • Marbles in case you lose yours!
  • Tissues to help you and others with your needs