VIRTUAL Honors Retreat LEADER
Picture this: you're starting your first semester of college ever, moving out for the first time, and doing this all within the context of a global pandemic - needless to say, not the most ideal situation. But this intimidating set of affairs into which new students stepped this semester is exactly why I chose to become an Honors Retreat leader. I started off the morning of my own Honors Retreat nervous and in tears, but was comforted by my retreat leaders, accompanied on the bus ride, and made to feel just as welcome as any other new freshman; this is the feeling I wanted to leave my own retreat group with, even if they weren't able to receive the full in-person experience.
This was my introduction and first email to my retreat group. I tried to make sure that they felt comfortable with me not only as a fellow member of the University Honors Program, but as an equal - just one student who's here to help other students. Hence the goofy Will Ferrell gif to conclude my email.
In my emails, group chat messages, and subsequent meetings, I put a heavy emphasis on making sure that my retreat group felt like they were talking to an equal, not just someone who was there to advise them. It was an exercise in balancing leadership and fellowship that I did not initially expect but am extremely humbled by, especially as I grow older and more experienced in work and school. In my future leadership roles, whether in college or beyond, this is a major lesson that will follow me. As I fielded concerns like "did I accidentally choose to live in a bad dorm?" and "wait, we have a community service hour requirement?", I got the sense that I was truly making a positive impact on those awkward first weeks of college - even if it was just offering a friendly face and a listening ear during a time in which unfamiliarity reigns.
This was my check-in email to my retreat group - again, keeping with my goal of being approachable, understanding, and as "human" as possible.
As our semester of intermittent meetings continued and eventually came to an end, the engagement of my retreat group remained steady, despite them having the choice to give into freshman year apathy and not attend. It was a minor thing to note, but it offered a tangible sense of reassurance that they felt comfortable enough to celebrate new achievements, ask questions, and air their concerns about transitioning into college as an honors student. Going forward, having this experience as an advisee will serve as an invaluable reinforcement to my ability to organize and lead. I plan on continuing to take part in the opportunity to be an Honors Retreat leader in coming years, and am looking forward to the privilege of assisting future students in this integral part of their college and honors experience.