Helping with smooth transitions #SOL17

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I spent yesterday visiting three schools.  When I pulled up to the first school, I was early.  I drove around the neighborhood, just to calm my nerves.

Two of my friends are transferring schools after many years at one building.  Their plans were to check in with the office staffs, scope out classrooms and walk their new buildings.  I was just along as a support person, but I couldn't help feeling jittery for my friends.

Once we got to the office, my first friend introduced herself to the secretaries and sounded confident. The two of us stood behind her smiling.  "Brought an entourage, huh!?" laughed the secretary.

"We're her team, her tribe!" I chuckled.

We toured, we checked out rooms, we compared schools.  We relaxed.  We eventually were brave enough to knock on the conference room door and introduce ourselves to the new administration. 

After smiles, introductions and handshakes, we left school number one.  We decided the visit was a little awkward but worth the time.  We then drove over to school number two.

At school two, we reconnected with staff members from other schools and checked in with the office staff.  The second school was fun to tour because we had more confidence.  We shared some laughs and jokes with the custodial staff.  My friend who will be moving to this school began planning furniture placement.  

The final school I visited was the one I left two years ago.  It was really sweet to catch up with the secretaries and AP.  As I closed the door firmly behind me, I confirmed that my decision to leave was right for me.  

Now I'm ready to help my friends transition to new schools, new staff, new students.  They are both bringing their vast collection of books, which they will find to be a bridge to making new connections and friends.  I will be there for them when they have celebrations and struggles, just like they have for me.  

As one chapter ends, another begins!

A Few Thoughts for the College Girls

Dear College Girls,

(Anne, Chloe, Katie L., Katie S., Kelsey, Lindsey & Mikayla... this is for you!)

Congratulations on meeting your big goal!  You're in COLLEGE now!

WOO HOO!

HOORAY!

OH CRAP!

I remember sitting in my dorm room on the first night.  I had moved in early to attend a retreat with the honors college (Surprised?  Me, too!).  It was dark.  It was verrrrrryyyy quiet.  I had already talked with my back-home boyfriend on the phone.  My parents and brother were gone.

It was very lonely.  It was 1987.  No cell phones.  No social media.  No Netflix.  Wahhhhh!

Fast forward two days later.  I had fun on the retreat and made a new friend.  I met three girls on my floor that were juniors (they had lots of survival tips).  My roommate wasn't bad.  The girls next door were nice.  College was much less lonely!

The most terrifying thing to do in your life is something new.  Something unknown.  I think you are all really brave for heading to new towns on your own to follow your dreams!

I couldn't write a blog post for you COLLEGE ladies without giving some advice.  I know you like it LOVE IT when I give advice!  Here goes:

1. Don't spend the whole year in your dorm room.  Leave your door open when you're up for some socializing.  Talk with people at the sinks and in the food lines.  Be yourself - you will make lots of friends!
2. GO TO CLASS, even when you're too tired, too crabby, too uninterested.  I got a B in Introduction to Anthropology by going to class, taking minimal notes and doing the Northern Star crossword puzzle each lecture.
3. Join a club, organization, sport or group.  If you don't love it, pick something else, but try to be involved on campus or in the community. It will make the college experience more worthwhile!
4. Get a pretty planner and write down your assignments, tests, and projects.
   (My lack of organization still bites me in the a** on a regular basis. You will excel at this!)
5. Enjoy yourselves.  Really.  Most adults would go back to the college years in a New York minute.  Many of us moms are SUPER jealous and want to live vicariously through you. But we promise not to.  This is your turn.  

Be careful, have fun, and love every minute of these years, even when it gets tough.  We (moms, dads, friends, siblings, former teachers) are ALL here for you.  Just text/call/write when you need something (read:  I will send you chocolate).  We understand you have lots of mixed feelings on an hourly basis.  

Dear College Girls, you WILL be AWESOME!

Kid President knows it!  We know it, too!

  

Our Mountainous Decision SOLC #13

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Two Writing Teachers

My husband, Jeff, and I lived in Utah for a year before we had our girls and I went back into teaching.  The software company where my husband worked closed, so one of the former VPs invited him to work in Park City.

It was a huge decision to move to a new state, just the two of us.  I went to college only an hour away, and when we got married, we lived 20 minutes from our families.  This was going to be a new experience for both of us.

We sold our house and Jeff flew out after helping me pack the house.   Granny Pat, Candy the dog and I drove out to Utah, taking three days to make the trek.  The moving truck would take 5 days.

The trip was mostly uneventful.  The dog slept most of the first day in the back seat.  We found snow in Wyoming (in October!) and crazy winds.  I had visited Utah one weekend before moving there, but now this was going to be my home.

I wasn't prepared for the sight I would see when we rounded the corner on Interstate 80, winding along the Wasatch front, facing west over the city.  The day was clear. The mountains were sharp.  The city looked fresh.  What a difference from Chicago!

This was my new town.  We would be living in Salt Lake and working in Park City.  Our commute would consist of a nearly 4,000-foot ascent through the mountains on a winding interstate.  

Looking back, we made lots of new friends and had many fun experiences.  We've gone back twice with the girls to visit.  They were amazed by the rocky terrain.

Some days I miss the mountains - their firm place on the horizon.  The sheer cliffs and snow-topped peaks.  It was an adventure, living far from home, but I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Photo from USAToday.com