When I first came to Davidson, there hung in the
union a banner that said, "COLLEGE: where nothing is real and everything TASTES GOOD."
HA...uhhh...I don't know if they've ever had the burgers in commons, but -
no matter, 3 years later the gates are open again, the target bags are packed, cars stacked back to back down the brick with eager young faces looking just a little bit sick, THIS-
HA...uhhh...I don't know if they've ever had the burgers in commons, but -
no matter, 3 years later the gates are open again, the target bags are packed, cars stacked back to back down the brick with eager young faces looking just a little bit sick, THIS-
is move-in day. And
freshman never fear, just when you think you can't face the flights of stairs any
longer the OTs somehow come to your rescue, and yes, they may be smiling but they really really hate you right now...
But anyhow,
But anyhow,
I am your hall counselor.
The ins and outs of this place are mine to share with you
but right now you don't care, you are on top of the world, cream of the crop, bestowed with a slate of shiny A's and bright gold stars from high school and THIS is your moment. of. victory.
You've made it.
...Right?
The ins and outs of this place are mine to share with you
but right now you don't care, you are on top of the world, cream of the crop, bestowed with a slate of shiny A's and bright gold stars from high school and THIS is your moment. of. victory.
You've made it.
...Right?
Welllll let's just make it through move-in, why don't we
and by the way no, you can not switch roommates just by changing
the names on your door
I'm not sure why you insist on lofting your bed up and down…and
up and down…and up…and down…again…
But wait, I forgot to introduce myself to dear old mom and dad,
hello!
No, you cannot bargain with the other parents so that your
child gets the biggest room,
no you can't have my phone number or I'll meet hear the end of you...
What's that?
HA, nooooo, there are no parties at Davidson... :/
no you can't have my phone number or I'll meet hear the end of you...
What's that?
HA, nooooo, there are no parties at Davidson... :/
No you cannot go I all your child's meetings this week,
No you CANNOT take the RLO mattress to the landfill,
No, you cannot install a dorm security system during move in,
JUST...NO.
No you CANNOT take the RLO mattress to the landfill,
No, you cannot install a dorm security system during move in,
JUST...NO.
There is a reason the farewell picnic is known by all the
hall counselors as: Operation GTFO.
Please leave your children in peace to start orientation, or
as I like to call it, "disorientation" with endless streams of "Hey where are
you from? What early decision did you do?"
And most of all,
"Oh my god. I'm premed too."
And most of all,
"Oh my god. I'm premed too."
As you start your first week of school there is so much I
want to say...
First of all, those lanyards? Instant giveaway
I watch you congregate on the patios of F, like in Ring Around the Rosie...a pocket full of posies...you allll fall down
You'll wake up on Sunday with pits of remorse in your stomach as you head to the library to just start your homework, and after working all day you'll eventually give up and tell yourself "I mean hey, it doesn't really matter, well all just sit in a circle under a tree tomorrow anyway, right?
First of all, those lanyards? Instant giveaway
I watch you congregate on the patios of F, like in Ring Around the Rosie...a pocket full of posies...you allll fall down
You'll wake up on Sunday with pits of remorse in your stomach as you head to the library to just start your homework, and after working all day you'll eventually give up and tell yourself "I mean hey, it doesn't really matter, well all just sit in a circle under a tree tomorrow anyway, right?
When you leave the library at two in the morning look at the
stars, maybe
this isn't just about earning gold stars, tell me
this isn't just about earning gold stars, tell me
About all the crazy little beautiful things that keep you up
at night.
About the universe you see in the pages you read, I want to
tell you
about the river I grew up with.
Four years from now will you tell me
about the time you swam in the lake at midnight in the moonlight
or when your friends took you out to dance all night
or brought you food when you had the flu
or sang until you smiled again.
Cry, over papers and people and losses and gains
feel the growing pain, I can assure you
not everything tastes good,
but these are the things that are real.
I wish I could could tell you about the time you'll come back to campus after summer and all your friends will great each other with "Hey there. Welcome home."
about the time you swam in the lake at midnight in the moonlight
or when your friends took you out to dance all night
or brought you food when you had the flu
or sang until you smiled again.
Cry, over papers and people and losses and gains
feel the growing pain, I can assure you
not everything tastes good,
but these are the things that are real.
I wish I could could tell you about the time you'll come back to campus after summer and all your friends will great each other with "Hey there. Welcome home."
But I can't.
Because you're gonna have to tell me yourself.
