New Student Orientation

We registered for New Student Orientation at IU a little bit before nine this morning and then walked to the auditorium for the opening presentations.  Several students talked to the group about the honor of being a Hoosier and then a professor challenged the freshmen in attendance to take charge of their own academics.  Both presentations were interesting, just a little long, which foreshadowed the rest of our day.  After they ended we were separated from Meg so that she could work on her schedule for the fall.  The rest of the morning went pretty well.  We listened to academic advice in the chemistry building.  It was interesting, but I already knew a lot from working with Brett and Cal over the past few years.  The speaker from career services was extremely funny, but we didn't put much stock in what he had to say.  We hadn't been impressed with the College of Arts & Sciences or SPEA career help when Brett needed it, but at least the guy was entertaining.

Once the lectures were over Doug and I left for lunch.  Everyone else was directed toward Herman B. Wells, but we had already "shaken" his hands many times over the years.  Doug chose Dats for lunch.   It had a Cajun menu which he really liked.  We also ran into Robert Smith, who grew up on our street.  We stopped at the Union on the way back through campus.  We had been given $9 vouchers for lunch.  Since we ate elsewhere, we picked up snacks for breakfast, a drink and orange chicken for Brett's lunch.  He had just gotten home when we arrived and appreciated the food.  Work had gone well for him this morning.  We helped him with a few items and then dropped him at the Union on the way back into campus.

We had skipped the first two afternoon parent sessions as they were about housing and becoming a Hoosier.  We felt confident that we had those topics covered.  The next session was on the support services offered for students.  I appreciated hearing all of those.  Brett was high on the mindfulness sessions that he attended and I made a note to myself to show Meg where the student health center was tomorrow on our way to Hodge Hall.  Doug joined me for our last meeting of the day which I appreciated as he had something to fill out for later.

Meg had texted me several times while we were in our afternoon sessions.  She really did not enjoy her orientation group as the girls all knew each other and excluded everyone else.  Their lunch was also terrible.  I remember that being a complaint from Cal as well.  We did get to eat dinner with her at Forest.  They had an updated food court with plenty of options.  Meg picked out fettuccine alfredo and a slice of pizza.

The rest of our evening went a lot better than the afternoon for all of us.  Meg toured the SRC and ran into Caleb Glon.  She attended the NSO latenight session and had a lot of fun.  She met a girl from Seymour and they exchanged phone numbers.  While she was enjoying the activities, Doug and I visited the Tap Room.  Cal called and let us know that he was coming down to meet us for dinner.  Once he arrived we walked to the Union to pick up Brett and we all enjoyed a great meal and lively conversation at the Crazy Horse.  By the time Meg joined us, everyone was in a fantastic mood and were looking forward to being together in Bloomington this fall.