shellzie2006

I'm actually impressed by your ability to fit everything into 4-6 suitcases. My freshman year, our SUV was PACKED with my stuff... Granted a lot of that space was taken up by a futon/TV/TV stand, but still. I have a friend who flies home every year and she has to store a ton of stuff in South Bend. You could always have your parents take home your extra suitcases. Some dorms do allow storage of suitcases, check with your rector when you find out your dorm info.

I went on the freshman retreat and I wouldn't say it was a life changing experience, but it was fun. I'd recommend going early in the year, since its a good way to make friends. They don't take you far, you walk around the lake to the retreat center. Its more social and less faith-based than some of the other retreats ND offers. I'd recommend it.

kevdude

I actually have very good knowledge of the Freshman Retreat, having attended it Freshman year, led it sophomore year, and I currently am in the process of applying to be Junior Coordinator next year.

Freshman retreat is a LOT of fun. It gives you the opportunity to be goofy, meet new people, and basically get away from campus for the night (it's Friday afternoon, around three, until about 5 on Saturday. So you'll be back in your dorm for Saturday night festivities. They are never scheduled on home game weekends, and if the game is away, in the past, we've set up a game-watch during the retreat). The atmosphere is slightly different each time it's held - the first is very much a "let's meet people and be friends" (I actually had two people from my small group start dating afterwards. Go me), along with "Hey freshman retreat leaders how does X work because I'm an inexperienced freshman help me!" I've heard very positive reviews of that slot from people who are having a bit of trouble adjusting. The last retreat is usually made up of groups of 2 or 3 friends who were sitting around near the end of the semester and were like "oh crap we never did Freshman Retreat maybe we should." The nervousness is not as prevalent, as people are more confident being a Domer at that point, so it's definitely more of the "I'm overwhelmed and kind of want to get away" feeling. You still meet people, but the friendships you make will likely not be as lasting as (maybe) the people you would meet if you were to go the first session. However, I went on the last retreat of my freshman year, and I still love seeing people from it and saying hi, even if we aren't best friends. The two sessions in the middle tend to be a middle ground between the two.

Ok, I'm done with the really long, complicated explanation. In short - Freshman Retreat is a lot of fun, the people who lead it are very dedicated. You will have a good time, and it's an excellent opportunity to sort of get away and refocus, or do wacky stuff you wouldn't do otherwise, or both. Plus, it's only like 10 bucks, and it's only one night. And you can only do it when you're a freshman, so take advantage!

atsen

Thank You Shellzie2006!!! You know what it's like being a girl who needs absolutely everything! Okay, about the Freshman Retreat, it sounds like a great event so I will probably end up going. I was just a little concerned because I'm not Catholic, I'm Baptist, but it doesn't seem to matter so I will meet you there kevdude!

Well, I just recieved an email from FYS saying that some new seminars are available. I went to ndtoday.com to look at the teacher evaluations for these professors but there weren't many reviews at all. The new seminars they have available are:
1) ENGL 13186 04
What's "New" about the New Black Poetry? From The Black Arts Movement to
Cave Canem Taught by: Cornelius Eady
2) CLAS 13181 01
TEXTS AND TRANSFORMATIONS: THE TRADITIONS OF LITERARY
METAMORPHOSIS Taught by: W. Martin Bloomer
3) PLS 13186 01
Love and Friendship Taught by: Gretchen Reydams-Schils
What are your thoughts about these new seminars? Should I sign up for one or just stick with what I already sent in?
The Love and Friendship course seems like it could be an intense class. At first I was interested but there seems to be a lot required...

atsen

I was reading on PrincessND's thread about attending a time management seminar or class...do you know where I could find that? Is it just a one day sort of class or what?

Thanks again!

shellzie2006

I haven't heard of any of the professors so it really depends on what topics most interest you. None of them would interest me, but that's something you need to decide for yourself.

Also, I'm not sure about the time management class. I do know some lady came in to talk to us during contemporary topics about time management. I thought it was kind of pointless though. I'm pretty sure I had my laptop with me and was writing a paper... Of course, I had a similar workload at my high school, so that prepared me pretty well for college. You could check with FYS and see if the class is offered through them.