There it was in big, bold letters. Welcome to the Class of 2029. Our little babies were going to be kindergarteners soon. That's when it hit us. We were going to be 70 years old the year that our little guys graduated from high school. What have we done? What were we thinking?
This was not our first parenting rodeo. Our oldest son started kindergarten in 1995, and our two daughters began a few years later in 1998 and 2001. We looked around the school auditorium and realized that most of these nervous and anxious parents were probably half our age. In fact, many of them could have been the age of our grown children. We knew that we stood out like a sore thumb. The people around us probably wondered why we were there. Fortunately, some familiar faces started to greet us, and we temporarily forgot about our concerns. We were there just like all the other parents waiting with anticipation to hear about the school's kindergarten program. We knew our little guys were ready to start their educational journey. It was time.
Our little guys are adopted. It was not our plan; it was not our goal. It just happened. They were placed in our newly-licensed foster home in an overnight emergency when they were five months old. That was in July 2011. Five years later, our overnighter has become a lifetime. After a series of unfortunate and unexpected circumstances, our little guys had to remain in foster care much longer than anyone had anticipated. On March 14, 2014, we received a call from the county prosecutor. After multiple hearings, both at the county and state levels and years of custody battles, the county had won permanent custody of our twin boys. The prosecutor wanted to know if we were interested in adopting them. What had started as a phone call of asking us to accept five-month-old infants in an overnight placement had become a phone call of lifelong parenting. After meeting with lawyers, financial advisors and most importantly our grown children, we knew we couldn't turn our backs on our little guys. Our family permanently adopted Brian and Matthew on October 20, 2014.
So here we sit. Another 13 years of parent-teacher conferences, science fairs and book reports. Welcome to the Class of 2029.
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Luckily, many colleges offer a number of ways to take part in campus and community life, without forcing you to dedicate all of your time to these organizations. Here are a few ideas!
1. Look into Housing and Dining.
Many first-year students start off college life in residence halls, and the Housing & Dining network throughout campus often provides multiple opportunities for students throughout the year. Many buildings have student community councils that work to create policies and events that make the dorms a more welcoming home for residents. Becoming a community assistant (or the students who work the desks at the front of many halls) is another easy way to have a consistent, well-paying job only minutes away from your room.
If you really enjoyed your housing experience, consider applying to be an RLA, or, if the school offers it, help to teach the first-year community. You'll get the chance to help support new and returning students over the year, and many of these positions also cover major costs like board and meal plans.
2. Pay attention to campus postings.
This advice is more obvious, but it still gets overlooked a fair amount. Even on a busy day, taking the time to stop around campus and look at the flyers advertising clubs and events can draw your attention to something that you never would've noticed otherwise. Students on many campuses also chalk the sidewalk to catch students' attention while they walk to class. Just make sure that the event you're interested in hasn't taken place already!
3. Find common interest groups.
One way to find friends and get involved is to focus on what you're passionate about. Have you always loved to sing? Do you enjoy playing video games? Is photography your favorite past-time? Have you always wanted to join Greek life? Whatever you love devoting your time to, chances are there are organizations around school who are focused on the same thing. Check the student life section of your university's website, or stop by a student organization fair at the beginning of the semester.
4. Join an intramural sports team.
If you're the athletic type, you've probably heard of intramural sports. Often offered through the Rec Center or the residence halls, most colleges often offer various indoor and outdoor sports to take part in throughout the year. Personal favorite? Mini golf.
5. Work on a cause that you care about.
Whether you're passionate about a political group, a social cause, or a religion, working with people who value beliefs similar to yours can be an easy way to meet people, get a better sense of your own identity, and promote causes that are important to you. Look into getting involved with College Democrats, Republicans, or whatever party that you belong to. Find a club that supports social issues, from women's rights to protecting the environment. If you're religious, look into student organizations based on your faith.
6. Join a club related to your major.
Even if you're not entirely sure what you want to do after school, finding a club or organization related to your field of studies can benefit you long after you leave the classroom. From career-related workshops to conferences to professional connections, these groups have a lot to boast.
7. Get an on-campus job.
If you have the time, need to work, or want to save a few extra dollars, finding a job on or near campus is a time-effective way to build up your bank account and gain work experience. Check in your residence hall (see #1), at local businesses and offices, or make an appointment with your school's career center.
8. Volunteer.
When you're caught up in school life, it can be hard to think about the bigger picture. Volunteering your time to people (or animals/an environment) in need puts things in perspective and allows you to feel good while making a positive difference. Check if your college town has a volunteer page, or look up local organizations requesting help.
Best of luck this year! Get out, and get busy.
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