University: Day 1

As Stephanie Cox pulled out of her driveway, she knew that her life had changed. She was going to university, moving into residence and escaping the familiarity of her life.

For Stephanie, so much was going to change. And it didn’t set in until the van left her driveway. As she departed, she asked herself, “What have I gotten myself into?” From this point on, everything was going to be different. Her tears started to flow.

When Stephanie arrived at her new home, McMaster University in Hamilton, the van was swarmed by a half-dozen Welcome Week reps. Each rep wore bright orange coveralls. The group proceeded to unload everything and delivered it right to her room. With a hint of anxiety, Stephanie’s parents stayed long enough to set up her computer and take their daughter to lunch. After returning, her father told her to put on her frosh shirt and to “go make friends.” She was left alone to sit in her dorm room. Being the only person on her floor with a single room, she had to be assertive and approach people—strangers—with whom she would soon share a close bond.

Hours later, frosh week began. Welcome Week reps brought everyone to the back of the residence building and began to teach them cheers. Frosh week was to be a week of building spirit. Everyone was in the same boat, having moved away from home and left behind friends and loved ones. The cheers brought them together and forged strong bonds that will last long after university is behind them.

“Frosh week was like summer camp,” Stephanie explains. “You are woken up, you are told when to eat and what to do. It’s like an extended summer of meeting new people, having fun and making lifelong friends. You get to know people so quickly! It’s as if the people I have known less than a week have known me my whole life.”

Living away from home for the first time can be a big shock. Stephanie didn’t have the support system she was used to at home, and everyone was new to her, but she’s having a wonderful university experience. Stephanie learned that university is all about coping and balance. You need to learn what’s important and what needs to get done. It has been a little stressful, and she claims to have missed a lot of sleep, but that’s where coffee comes in.

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