We have all been there before: Move-in day. All of us have seen it as freshmen. Some of us have participated in it as upperclassmen, athletes, or international students. This year, I experienced this infamous process as an upperclassmen RA. Before freshman move-in day, the whole campus trembles with anticipation. As an upperclassmen RA, however, this excitement comes not from the actual move-in, but from seeing how excited the freshmen are for orientation and the start of the school year.
By the time both upperclassmen and freshmen move in, residence life staff have been on campus for over two weeks, preparing RAs and FRADs for all the duties and responsibilities that comes with being a part of hall staff. Even then, much of training time is spent preparing everyone for moving in the freshmen.
Move-in day itself actually went a lot smoother than I anticipated. Since the upperclassmen had yet to move in, the upperclassmen RAs as well as several other groups were assigned to different buildings to help freshmen move in. It was an organized process with people directing traffic and volunteers helping the freshmen unload their cars as needed.
Thus, move-in day became an opportunity to reflect on my own freshman year and the excitement that came with it. It allowed me to accustom myself with climbing through the ranks as an upperclassman. It also allowed me to have fun trying to spot the freshmen in the Furman crowd. Feeling unsure my newfound RA responsibilities, yet comfortable as an upperclassman, I found that my feelings perfectly complemented my familiarity with Furman’s campus and my happy reunions with old friends. Perhaps move-in day is a the epitome of an upperclassman’s transition and the kick-off event for an RA, symbolizing the responsibilities and excitement in store for them during the rest of the year.