The date was August 16th, 2015. The time, 8:00 am. The Great Hall was buzzing with the chatter of students and parents, lines of people twisting around the tables. My mind was occupied with moving in—I would finally be leaving home and embarking on a journey that felt uniquely my own. I knew OSSM’s environment was going to be a massive change from the norm. Still, there were experiences, both pleasant and otherwise, during my first week that I wish I had been forewarned about. Starting from my first night and until my first test, here are the words of wisdom I can offer.
An object that daunts most juniors is the first night assignment packet. It carries with it not only a heavy load of homework but also an overwhelming amount of stress. “First things first,” my seniors advised me, “pull out your schedule.” Most classes will meet only on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays or Tuesdays and Thursdays. This means you can focus on your Monday classes’ assignments on Sunday night. Next, peruse the packet carefully for due dates. Some assignments are not due until late into the first week, so you can cross those off your immediate to do list. This should lighten your Sunday night load considerably.
Just as I had figured out what assignments had to be completed for the next day and began work, there was a loud announcement outside my room: “Everyone out, we’re having a floor meeting!” All the students on the floor gathered around the commons and our floor parent instructed us to introduce ourselves. As brief as this meeting is, first impressions do matter. So be relaxed and more importantly, be yourself. The people around you may be strangers now, but in under a year they will become your closest friends and confidants. Take this time to meet not only your fellow classmates but also your seniors; they will be invaluable in your transition to OSSM.
You will have many more opportunities to befriend your floor, the most memorable being floor competitions. These high stakes games occur during the first week of school and include activities like basketball, frisbee, soccer, and tug-of-war. Competition runs thick in the air with each floor boasting their team spirit. Athleticism aside, these games are an amazing way to bond with your floor mates. You will also be able to get friendly with your class through junior versus senior games and activities throughout the week.
In trying to capture all this excitement with your newfound friends, you may find yourself reaching into your pockets only to come up empty-handed. After a few moments of confusion and mild panic, it hits you—no electronics. As overwhelming as this ban sounded before I attended OSSM, I surprisingly did not have much difficulty adjusting to life without my phone. In fact, on my very first night I could feel my productivity increasing tenfold without constant distractions. I was so involved with meeting new people and living in a foreign environment that not having my phone around did not bother me at all. However, if your fingers still itch for a taste of social media, there are computers located in the MAC and the dorms that will serve your needs after school hours. As technology may be the only way you can contact home, you may also develop homesickness. But there is a quick remedy: the telephone on each floor. Calling home at least once during the first week will help you ward off any pangs of nostalgia.
Another concept I found hard to wrap my head around was the idea of study hours. I was accustomed to working whenever and wherever I pleased. Initially, the predefined study hours chafed against my sporadic study sessions. Eventually, I came to appreciate the relative peace and quiet that study time provided; this, I’ve found, is hard to come by in a building occupied by teenagers. Study time also presented me with an opportunity to ask my teachers questions outside the classroom.
You will find that study hours are also the optimal time to get in study groups to prepare for the fast-approaching Saturday exam. The mere idea of non-standardized testing on Saturday mornings used to make me break into a cold sweat. Despite the unconventional setting, Saturday tests are no different than regular tests, if not a little longer. The literature test covering summer reading material was immediately followed by preparation for the PSAT. When I bolted out of my seat at 12:00 pm, ready to go home after a long day of testing, I did not realize the impact that this past week had on me. It was only later that I understood that my first week at OSSM was a catalyst into an improved work ethic, an affable community, and a transformed me. So cherish this week for all it is worth—after all, you will only experience it once.