Welcome to the real world

How I willingly spent the summer learning

Micayla Civetta
Jul 27, 2017 · 5 min read
Move in day for frescho

It’s the first week of classes. I’ve gotten lost during orientation three times, cried in my dorm over the holiday, and had to walk in the rain. Not only did I just walk in the rain, butmy roommate and I both had to walk back to our dorm in the rain for 25 minutes. We told ourselves if we can get through this we can survive college. I think it was pretty symbolic because rain means change in literature. Starting college is definitely a big change in my life. I had a lot of anxiety before coming to college and I wasn’t so sure if I would be able to handle it. A week into FCSE though, and I knew I was home.

Like how the University of Georgia is my new home, the houses that are being flipped through Habitat for Humanity will be someone’s new home. These houses being flipped are important to the Athens community. People are getting a chance at a fresh start and getting their lives back on track through these homes. When you think about the lives that are changed through this organization you feel empowered to be apart of it.

Volunteering with Habitat was eye opening. You never understand how hard these people work until you see a house before it has been flipped next to a house that is finished. Spending hours in the heat with sweat pouring down your face can be one of the most accomplished feelings you can feel. Being apart of this group of people was one of the greatest parts of my frescho experience.

Last year I spent every Sunday for a month fixing up my soon to be house. The house was going to be the location of my mom and stepdad’s wedding. I hated spending my days off of school picking up pine cones and chipping paint. I felt like it didn’t need to be done and someone else could be doing it. So when I found out I was going to be working with Habitat for Humanity for my service learning class I wasn’t exactly thrilled. I figured I would hate Thursdays for the entire month I did Freshman College Summer Experience (frescho).

I didn’t know I could be so wrong.

Most people spent their summer going to the beach and having fun with friends. I spent my days with Habitat working hard in the hot sun. I wouldn’t have traded that experience for the beach any day. I ripped the roofing off the edge of the roof of a house. The roofing needed to be removed in order to remove metal that surrounded the edge of the roof. Debris got all over me in the process and Leah almost fell off a ladder once, but it was worth it.

My days weren’t just filled with sweat though. I still had to chance to have fun with friends. I only knew one person coming into frescho so I had to make plenty of new friends. Through this program, I have made so many wonderful friends that I cannot wait to spend the rest of my four years here with.

After the closing banquet for frescho

The night of our opening banquet for frescho I met some new friends and we went to the fountain at Hervey Field and jumped in it. It felt rebellious and freeing to do. After being rebellious college students we rang the chapel bell to celebrate new beginnings.

Speaking of new friends, I met one of my favorite friends through Habitat. It all started with needing a car ride to the volunteer site. Leah was sitting next to me and said she had a car so I asked to ride with her. We managed to get closer through working together under the wing of a man named Gary. Not only was Gary always cracking jokes and making sure we knew what we were supposed to be doing, but you could tell Gary loved what he was doing in Athens. I feel inspired after spending two days working with Gary. Gary was proud of how hard working Leah and I were. He even told another worker that Leah and I were his favorites.

Leah and I speaking with Doug, the director of construction

I never thought I would rather be spending my time outside than in a classroom. If you had asked me back in June if I would rather do manual labor in the hot sun, or write an essay in the air conditioning I would probably choose an essay. Now I would rather be outside making a difference.

When I start my classes in the fall I do not want to just forget about this experience and move on with life. I want to continue with this work. The passion that is put into these projects is something I need in my life. I feel like I accomplished something big even if I just cleared some vegetation from a yard.

I faced challenges in both my frescho classes and when volunteering with Habitat. I had to learn the hard way that online tests are not always the best thing. When you do not have a set date for a test or quiz you find yourself pushing it off. I fell behind a little and had to take two tests and a quiz in one night. In Habitat I had to learn my limits in the heat and not push myself. If I needed a break for water or to catch my breath I took it so I did not pass out and become a bigger burden than if I was to take a little longer to finish a job. As my American Government professor told my class the other day, “Welcome to the real world.”

My Political Science class

I joined this program because I wanted to get a taste of college before I took on the fall semester. If I had to go back after this month and decide if I would do it again, I definitely would. The weeks leading up to freshco I had so much anxiety I could barely eat. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to handle college. After this program, I am confident I can take on any challenge that college throws my way. Although I am excited to see my family for a few weeks, I cannot wait to return to start this new chapter of my life.

Commit to Serve

2017 UGA Freshman College — Service Learning

Micayla Civetta

Written by

Commit to Serve

2017 UGA Freshman College — Service Learning

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