At the beginning of every fall semester, students pour onto campus: some returning, some new, but all ready for adventure.
This summer began my first year in the Office of Admissions. That's right. I'm a newbie, too! Having just graduated from LeTourneau University in May, I accepted a full-time position as an Enrollment Officer (previously referred to as an Admissions Counselor) for the School of Business. I am so blessed to be working at the very place that provided me with such an amazing, quality, Christ-centered education. Now, I have the joy of helping bring in students to have that same experience!
Being the new-kid-on-the-block comes with an array of emotions and experiences. It's great being able to have that fresh start, meet new people and coworkers, and figure out your place on the team. However, there are those times when being the new one (kind of like being a freshman all over again) can simply be hard. You're in a new place having to learn the lingo, the culture, and the chemistry in your environment. You're the one who's got a huge learning curve, with the occasional curveballs, to tackle while everyone else seems to be cruising right along with their daily list of duties. And all the while, you're missing the comfort of the known since everything seems to be unknown! Whew, it's a hard, exhilarating, exciting, and crazy thing being the newbie, isn't it? Oh, and to add onto all this newness, I'm recently married! Talk about another major change! Not that I would trade it for anything in this world, but being a new wife comes with a million experiences in itself.
Because I'm one of two new employees here in the Office of Admissions since the summer, I've been able to watch and understand some of the major changes the incoming freshmen are currently experiencing.
For some, this is the first time away from home. Home may only be down the road or a few hours away, but nonetheless, they are in a totally new place. Yet for others, home is all the way across the country or the world. They have to learn not only how to fit in on campus, but adjust to a new culture or country, tackle a potential language barrier, and figure out the conundrum of college life.
As new students have infiltrated the campus this fall, adjustments have been enormous. Meeting and living with a new roommate, sitting in class with a range of ages, background, and experience, and learning how to keep up with their own schedule, classes, and time management are just a few scattered around in that massive learning curve.
But from what I've seen, these students have handled being the newbies with poise, maturity, and complete pride while making their presence known on campus. Every day is a new opportunity to learn, grow, and adjust a little more until life here starts to become "home."
So, three cheers for the newbies! Let the learning curve continue throwing curveballs, and let each and everyone one of us catch them with our heads held high. Before you know it, we'll be the ones teaching a new group of students and coworkers the rounds, the traditions, the culture, and the LETU way.
Enjoy your Friday!
AnaLisa Rogers, Enrollment Officer for School of Business
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