An Orderly Orientation

My Dad, a stingy early bird, always tells me "If you’re early, you’re on time;  if you’re on time, you’re late; if you’re late don’t bother showing up.” He adopted this motto from some famous football coach, who has stunned the world by proving that the lessons learned in football can apply to real life. Football 101 or not, I operate my life by that motto.  

My Mom and I, listening.

As my Mom drove to the orientation meeting, I shifted nervously in the front seat,  my Dad’s (and a football coach’s) words rang through my head. 

We walked into the multipurpose room of  Levonja DeJean Middle School, at 6:00 on the dot ( the time we were supposed to arrive) - we were late. A sea of familiar faces turned our way, as we scurried to find a seat. It seemed that the meeting had just started, but it felt like my Mom and I had missed a large part of it.

Even though we arrived late, the orientation meeting was still as fruitful as expected. I was glad to see  Don, my cohort, and Tori after weeks of slaving over schoolwork, extracurriculars, and standardized tests. Their faces are a reminder of the excitement of the trip; they allow my mind to wander and daydream about the new things we’ll learn, the great food we’ll eat, and the amazing memories that we’ll create in Nashville.  

Evan, imparting his wisdom.

During the meeting, we got down to the nitty-gritty of the trip. First, the UChicago and Vanderbilt cohorts, along with their parents, split up. We then began going over our color-coded itinerary that laid out the details of plane rides, tourist attractions, hotels, blogging schedule, and class dates - making the trip seem less of a dream and more of a reality. To my surprise - and delight - a few Ivy League Connection alumni joined us to share their experiences and offer advice. Evan Garrison and Jahnvi Doshi - Vanderbilt alumni - gave us their first-hand account of the trip. They discussed the more personal aspects of the trip, that can’t be characterized in an itinerary or brochure. Like how Evan woke up at 6 to go on morning runs and was treated supremely at the university hospital after catching a bug or how Jahnvi went to ice cream with her friends after class and accidentally overpacked. Their insight was helpful in getting a clearer picture of the trip, as well as advice for when we get there. I now know that I must take full advantage of the social opportunities presented during VSA. If I have the option to stay in my dorm on a Sunday afternoon with a good book or go out with friends to get dinner - by all means Ana go out with friends, the book will be there in the days, weeks, and months to come, my new friends will not. 

The meeting exemplified Don’s organization and put-togetherness. Our itinerary was color-coded; Don’s clipboard outlined what he wanted to discuss in the meeting; the loaner items were neatly packed in bags, held together with velcro straps, and labeled. I appreciate Don’s ability to run things smoothly, neatly, and be a great communicator. It’s pleasing to know that someone’s life aligns closely with my early bird ideals and moreover - my concept of neatness. Such elements of the Ivy league Connection definitely makes the trip more worthwhile and heightens my anticipation for the trip.

(On a side note, in exactly one month, our trip begins!) 

The 2018 Ivy League Connection