Welcome: To the New and Not So New

 By Ellie Guffy

For many of Dalat’s day-students, the life that happens on campus after school ends is something they know very little about, especially since the start of Covid. Unless you’ve been a dorm student at some point, experienced a “short stay,” or have close friends in the dorms, you probably don’t know that it’s not always fun and games.

On Sunday, August 7th, the dorms had their first all-dorm meeting of the school year, a new experience for the 14 dorm students that have joined this semester. While habitual and, dare I say, mundane for those of us who are not new, this first meeting was quite daunting to many of the new students.

We started the event with ice breakers and a game used to get to know each other in a playful but purposeful manner. We learned of Uncle Keith’s intense love for iced tea during this game.

Jueun Seo (9), a new student to both Dalat and the dorms, described her experience, saying, “It felt nice that I met new people in other dorms… but I felt a little nervous.” 

This playful time was cut short as we quickly moved on to what needed to be discussed: child safety rules, emergency drills, and how to take care of ourselves physically and mentally as dorm students. In this meeting, we learned that it's totally acceptable to ask for help when needed and who to call during those times.

Though we are able to enjoy unlimited access to the ball courts, the opportunity to live with many of our friends, and the ability to leave 4 minutes (yes, I've timed it) before school starts and still make it to class before the bell rings, this experience was a reminder to the dorm students that all this excitement and fun is met with just as much seriousness.

With all the freedom, convenience, and enjoyment that comes with being a dorm student inevitably comes responsibilities, redundant dorm meetings, and some angst when experiencing new things.