Thursday morning we got split into Y groups (smallish groups) that we would spend the next day and a half with. Convocation kicked things off. We heard from the dean of the university about how the primary goal of BYU is to help us grow not only intellectually but also spiritually. It is so cool that every meeting begins and ends with a prayer, even classes. From there we went through rotations of library scavenger hunts, museum activities, peer mentor meetings, campus tours, and so on. We then had a meeting that helped us better understand the Honor Code, which is a code all students abide by that consists of being honest, modestly dressed, alcohol free, and so on. Thursday evening we met at Lavell Edwards stadium and put on our new shirts and formed a "Y" for our class picture. Check it out! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AdCYsw2ec4&feature=youtu.be) Immediately after we had a HUGE dance party with crazy strobe lights, free food, crowd surfing, the works. It was super fun, and I was grateful that I didn't have to worry about anything stupid happening.
Friday morning we began with a devotional about how the Lord wants to help us and that asking for help is not a sign of weakness. No matter what situation we are in in life, if we ask Heavenly Father for help he will grant it, so long as it is for a righteous cause and is part of His will. We then separated from our groups and went to college-specific meetings. Let's just say the purpose of the nursing meeting was to scare the pants off of some people. The nursing program at BYU is and extremely grueling experience. For example, once a week you will be in lectures from 8-5, another day you will be in a simulation lab from 8-5, and a third day you will be working a shift in a hospital from 7-7 under the advisement of your professor. The remaining two days of the school week are for studying, working, and taking any other GE classes you did not complete your freshman year. Oh and let's not forget to mention that out of 160+ applicants per semester, only 64 max are admitted. And you basically have to be in the top 5% of the school. So yeah that's cool and all. I know that a lot of girls will drop because they are scared and that people will also struggle academically because they just don't care enough. But it is still a scary situation. I think I can do it, but I know that if next June I get an email saying that my application was declined, that it isn't in God's plan for me.
I then ventured to the service fair that was put on by Y-Serve, the main service club that has 68 service programs, seriously any program you can think of, they have it. I signed up to be in the freshmen service corp, which basically does a project once a month with different clubs so you can kind of get a feel for what kind of clubs you'd like to be a part of. I also signed up to get more information on an elementary/junior high tutoring, a big brother/big sister program, and a program that helps at a school for autistic adults. I am seriously so excited to get involved in these programs because I find true joy in helping others.
Tonight was the evening of traditions. Many people hike "the Y" on this night, but it was super hot today and the line to get in a van to take you to the trail head was about an hour and a half long. So some of my friends and I decided to opt to hiking it later in September. Instead, we went to the planetarium which was WAY COOL. Every time I go to one I am in awe. We then went to the Museum of Art which had some really neat stuff. We then headed over to a field where there was a dance, ultimate frisbee, all kinds of things going on. Late at night they announced our class' ice cream flavor: Cosmo's Peanut Butter Crunch!
I've made a lot of new friends from all over the country, and even one from England! I really can't wait to go to church on Sunday and meet the people that I will be with all the time. It's fun meeting new people but I am anxious to be at the point where I know who my best friends here are.
