On August 22, 2014, I arrived at Elon University for Move-In Day.

In Elon, I found a place I could call home

Bryan Anderson
Aug 25, 2017 · 4 min read

The first week was the hardest.

I haven’t always gotten along with my parents, and I very much looked forward to arriving at Elon University. Leaving a toxic high school environment and preparing for a new beginning was all I wanted.

Three years ago, I made the 3,000-mile journey from California to North Carolina with my parents for Move-In Day. Relief quickly sank in. In Elon, I found a place I could call home.

Yet as I stood in the HBB parking lot with my parents after New Student Convocation and a farewell picnic, I found myself overcome with emotion trying to utter one final word: “goodbye.”

“I love you,” said mom, unable to hold back tears.

“We’ll miss you,” dad said, doing his best to keep his emotions in check.

I can’t recall a time when I told them I loved them back until that very moment. They drove away and little did I know I wouldn’t see them again for several months.

First night

As flocks of students from the Historic Neighborhood went out that first night partying and immersing in the social experience of college, I found myself in Barney Hall crying myself to sleep.

The remainder of the week included some relatively sleepless nights as well but none quite as memorable as the first.

I lived in a compact suite occupied by seven other guys with a broken shower. During that same time, I was also suffering from stomach issues, which made eating more difficult.

As if things couldn’t get worse, my roommate had a fever the first week.

Needless to say, I was not off to the best of starts.

Difficult transition

I woke up early the second day for the 9 a.m. convocation, listened to President Leo Lambert recite a speech about the great opportunities afforded to Elon students and the value of a college education. I later said goodbye to my parents and went on with the rest of my day sad that I would not see them again for a long time.

Once again, I cried myself to sleep.

The final day of orientation featured some bonding activities and a couple broad presentations about the do’s and don’ts of college that I did not much care for.

“I don’t drink, smoke or engage in any risky activities,” I often thought to myself. “This orientation is a waste of time.”

I had done more research about Elon prior to my arrival than any other student I had met. I knew about graduation requirements, add/drop policies, OnTrack, Moodle, meal plan details and the like.

I saw the value orientation provided others, but it did not offer much for me. When scheduled, university-planned activities came to an end, I often found myself alone while other people socialized.

All I wanted to do was get started with classes. During Orientation Weekend, I simply did not belong.

Feeling welcomed

Nineteen credits was an ambitious first semester for an incoming freshman, but I wanted to challenge myself from the start. Had it not been for this decision, I wouldn’t have been fortunate enough to meet amazing professors who would go on to shape the rest of my college experience.

Among the highlights of my first week were classes with Qian Xu for Communications in a Global Age, Eric Townsend for Elon 101 and Nancy Midgette for Foundations of Leadership Studies.

While I could tell several stories of how all of them have positively impacted my life, I will simply say they are remarkable people who smoothened the transition. Between those three classes, I also met one of the best friends I have ever had, Daniel Levine.

It was after the first week of classes when I had truly arrived.

Message to incoming students

My message to those students who don’t feel welcomed at the beginning is that things get better.

My story may be somewhat different from yours. Several students have a largely positive relationship with their family. Many enjoy partying and feel like they belong right away. Others love their roommates and housing conditions. Many do feel that Orientation Weekend eases their transition.

But if there were one universal desire we all share, it would be acceptance. The journey to feeling welcomed was a long one but one that restored my confidence that I am in the right place.

The last three years at Elon have been the happiest of my life.

I’ve had the opportunity to work with an incredible student media organization, meet unbelievable faculty members and make new friends. I’ve also been privileged to land a fellowship with News21 and stellar internships with the Raleigh News & Observer and the Greensboro Grasshoppers.

Yet despite these professional successes, the Elon community embracing me is what I will most cherish.

To the new students: know that you are loved, appreciated and welcomed. It gets better.

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