At long last. Today was NESL's 1L student orientation. Finally! School is here. I zipped to the T this morning and made my way down the trafficky streets to the Radisson where orientation was held. I was early. So was everyone else! Anxious buggers. Anyway, I walked in and took a look around to see who my new colleagues were. Shit. They all look like a bunch of pre-schoolers. Hello? 30-somethings? Are there any 30-somethings here? I take a seat between two sorority-like girls and sat there quietly observing my surroundings. Lots of women. Lots of young college grads. hmmm... Out of the corner of my eye - the red seas part. A 30-something! With an open seat next to him. I shot up and darted to the seat and started chatting with him. He's friendly and also wondering where the older "more diverse" crowd is. Guess they're in the evening class or part-time division. We sigh collectively. Chances are we'll learn just as much from the 20-somethings right?
The orientation begins and the dean welcomes us along with an assortment of faculty. Everyone seems very welcoming and encouraging - plus they're making it a point to tell us that we'll be just fine.. as long as we read and prepare for each class. Then the student panel steps in and the questions fly. What are outlines? What are your study habits? How do you manage your time? Where do you study? Do you type or handwrite your notes in class? What are the exams like? How do you prepare for them? Is attendance mandatory? Do you have time for a social life? Do you work any? On and on. The students were very amiable and funny. They also had different study habits and practices. Over and over, they made the point - "ultimately you have to do whatever works for you - we're all different." Still... It was interesting to hear about their 1L experiences and anxieties. It certainly put my mind at ease and I felt better knowing that everyone else in that orientation were just as nervous and anxious as I was.
