Moving into Land of the Tar Heels

My first week as a Tar Heel is coming to a close, and it has been great so far!

I really like UNC. As a Duke student and Cameron Crazy, I am not suppose to say that, but it’s true. Both schools are fantastic, top quality academic institutions with a commitment to North Carolina and strong (rival) sports programs. That being said, they are very different. Duke is private; UNC is public. Duke has about 13,000 students, while UNC has about 29,000 students. Duke’s physical campus is somewhat separate from Durham, while UNC sprawls out into Chapel Hill. Duke’s campus is full of gothic architecture, while UNC’s campus has lots of brick buildings and green space. The schools feel distinctly different from each other, but I am happy to say that I am starting to feel comfortable at both.

Earlier this week, we had an orientation for the Duke Robertson Scholars on switch. A member of the Robertson staff described this year (sophomore spring – junior fall) as a “year of dissonance, ” as this is a year about being thrown into unusual and challenging situations.

In order to have a successful transition to an UNC (or any new place), you really need to have a positive attitude. To put it bluntly, switch is hard. Just as we were all getting really comfortable at our home campuses, we come to a new school at an unusual time, half way through the year when everyone else is settled and has their group of friends. However, switch is an amazing opportunity to experience another university. Being open and willing to meet new people and try new things has made my transition much smoother.

I can’t remember ever having such an easy time meeting people. The people I have met at UNC have been really friendly. I also have been more outgoing than I usually am, not worrying about introducing myself to people or asking questions when I don’t know something. One of my goals for the semester is to talk to at least two new people every day, which has not been a problem at all thus far.

When talking to a new friend on Thursday, I said we, referring to myself as a Carolina student. My friend got very excited and pointed out that I had referred to myself as a Carolina student. I guess that is a sign that I am starting to fit in here J

“Not in his goals, but in his transitions is a man great.”

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Before heading back to North Carolina, Lauren made some delicious UNC themed cookies for me.