Diary of a first-year

USD first-years illustrate the ups and downs of their experiences thus far

Haley Jacob / Assistant Feature Editor / The USD Vista 

Undoubtedly, the beginning of a new school year is always an exciting yet nerve-racking time for everybody on campus. The frantic last-minute packing, the schedule changes, and the tough goodbyes may already be familiar and expected parts of the back-to-school experience for many returning students. 

For first-years, however, the word ‘unfamiliar’ would be a  fitting term to describe these past two weeks. Additionally, with last year’s incoming class receiving an online version of OLÉ! Weekend, there was a lot of curiosity surrounding the execution of the tradition’s in-person return. 

Despite the odds USD was up against in terms of the unpredictable, ongoing global pandemic, many first-year students were impressed with their orientation experience and felt that the university went above and beyond to ensure there is some sense of normalcy and tradition. 

First-year, Cameron Short, expressed gratitude for the experience that he had with orientation. 

“I think USD really succeeded, maybe even over-exceeded. I mean, we are in the middle of a pandemic. They couldn’t really even do anything for the 2020 class,” Short said. “The freshmen last year couldn’t have that week because they had to be at home, which was a big bummer. But, I feel like I really got the ‘start of college experience’ that I was looking for.” 

While it became clear that students were satisfied with the planning and execution that went into orientation, one frequent critique in their experiences was the feeling of being “burnt out.” The required events and meetings layered with completing the other ‘to-do list’ items that come with move-in left many stressed. Additionally, some students felt that the business of orientation left them little time to process their transition to this new and fully independent chapter of their lives. 

First-year, Willa Letscher, shared her feelings on this new chapter of life. 

“My parents left, I said bye, and then I was off doing another orientation activity. I feel like I still haven’t fully come to the realization that this is now my new life,” Letscher said. 

However, as a result of orientation, these first-year students had great confidence in their ability to find their place here at USD. Despite the overwhelmingness of it all, the students attributed much of their success in forming friendships and alleviating first-year nerves to their experiences during orientation. Events such as ‘Neon Night,’ where students covered themselves in glow sticks and danced all night to a DJ, and ‘Taste of TPB, ’ a carnival-like event full of free food and games, helped students find like-minded people who they could lean on for support and community during this confusing, yet exciting time. 

Jackson Hinz, another first-year student, explained how orientation left him feeling about USD. 

“It felt like I’ve already been to this school before. It didn’t feel like it was only day five or six of being on campus; it felt like I had been here for a good month or two,” Hinz said. 

Similar to Hinz, first-year student Kasia Jackson also appreciated the sense of community and familiarity that orientation helped establish. 

“There are familiar faces all over. Every time I’m walking somewhere, I see someone that I know,” Jackson said. 

With most activities on campus back in full effect for the fall semester, it is no surprise that the incoming first-years were eager to begin their journey at USD.