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"Back in the Game"

August 29, 2006

Greetings R-Journal Readers!

I hope that your summer thus far has been hot (but not too sweaty!) and relaxing (but not too boring!). For me, summer has always offered a great opportunity for spending some time reflecting, relaxing, and retooling.

Before I get too specific on the details of my summer activities this year, let me take a step back and introduce (or reintroduce) myself, as this is my first entry in the “second season” of my R-Journals. I realize that many of you are first time readers. My name is Stephen Philip Miller, Jr., but you can feel free to call me Steve. I also answer to “hey”, “that guy”, and “you, over there”. Coming to beautiful Rollins College from the equally beautiful state of Ohio, I was definitely an apprehensive freshman last year. However, through the amazing help and support offered through the Rollins community—advisors, great first year programs, and my fellow classmates—I quickly adapted and had a phenomenal first year experience. I’m back and ready for more. At Rollins, I will enter into my second year as an International Relations major and as a card carrying-member (except minus the card carrying part) of Rollins’ Honors Program. Organizationally, the Rollins community has thus far facilitated my involvement in a number of campus groups, including the Student Government Association, my fraternity, the Sandspur student newspaper, and the Rollins College L.E.A.D. Team. You’ll find that I have a pretty good knowledge of college life and Rollins culture, ranging from the practical (how many pairs of socks to bring) to the essential (time management). I am thrilled to again have the opportunity to share my Rollins experiences with you all.

If you are a regular R-Journal reader, I’m sure that you’ll remember that my summer began with a venture back to the hurricane and flood ravaged St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana in May with a campus organization I founded known as Rollins Relief. What a fantastic start to my summer! You can read that journal entry to get into many of the specifics, but our teams—consisting of Rollins faculty, students, and staff—helped in the restoration process of about ten homes.

Following my trek to New Orleans, I definitely needed a hiatus. Naturally, I returned home. I already mentioned that I am from the Great State of Ohio, and, while I’ve literally lived and visited all over the state, I currently reside in a city just outside of Cleveland. Home offered me a great opportunity to relax and spend time with old friends and my family. Plus, you’ll find that moms absolutely love having their “little college student” (that’s what my mom calls me anyway) come back from school. I don’t think I made my bed once. After almost one year away from home, it is amazing how different things initially seem—some familiar faces have moved away, other new faces have entered into the picture, there are new buildings and new leaders. However, after adjusting to the inevitable change provoked by a year of separation, I’ve found that my hometown and community hasn’t really changed all that drastically. The pace at which I’ve changed is much faster. I often remark to my friends and family that my freshman year of college flew by so quickly that I don’t feel that I deserve to have completed one year of college. However, while it has flown by, I realize that I have changed—and in a good way. I have a different outlook on life and particularly upon education. At the core, however, I retain my values—and never let anyone take those away from you. No one enters college as a blank person. Everyone brings different values and life experiences. In the Rollins community, you’ll find that you can share your values and experiences with your peers while learning from their values and experiences. It is truly an amazing process.

Let me step off my nostalgic soap box to return to what I am sure you are most interested in…the rest of my summer. Last week, I returned to Rollins for a few weeks of Summer Orientation. As an incoming first year student last year, I was fortunate enough to attend Summer Orientation, so I am incredibly excited to participate as a Team Leader this year. Summer Orientation is different (and is not a substitute) for the regular Fall Orientation. Rather, Summer Orientation gives new students a chance to really get to know the college and make some new friends attending with them in the fall so that they might be well prepared and excited for the adventure that lies ahead of them. Throughout the month, I will serve as a Team Leader in four overnight sessions with about eight students in my group each time. Thus far, it has been a lot of hard work, but I have really enjoyed it and look forward to meeting many members of our incoming class.

I never thought I would be so excited for school to start back up. August cannot come soon enough. For now, I need to catch some sleep. The first Summer Orientation session starts bright and early tomorrow morning and I need to be on my A-game.

Hope that your summers are going amazingly well. As always, feel free to drop me a line with any questions or comments. Get ready to share in another year of great Rollins adventures this year! I can’t wait to see what is in store…

Steve

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