Guess what? Volleyball players are tall! Very tall! And they give you free magnets and tickets to games if you show up to their breakfast!
That’s where NSO started today, by the Smith Field House for doughnuts and orange juice, which wasn’t exactly filling, but enough to hold us over till lunch.
After our short breakfast, we went inside for a devotional, which talked about the great privilege it is to be a student at BYU (it truly is!) and how we need to “raise our anticipations to meet their [parents and staff] expectations.” Hard seats, but a good devotional.
We then had a mini-lesson given on the topic of “Habits of the Mind,” the first college “class” where I actually took notes! Go me! But then again, almost everyone did as well. Points covered in the lesson included how coming to this University can help build your character, through teaching you integrity, service opportunities, a work ethic, time management, self-discipline, etc. One quote presented that struck me was this quote, from the Aims of a BYU Education:
Since a decreasing fraction of the Church membership can be admitted to study at BYU, it is ever more important that those who are admitted use their talents to build the kingdom of God on the earth.
That idea certainly put a new spin on the reason I am receiving an education at BYU. Also, the thought that a dirt poor family somewhere in South America, simply by paying their tithing, has allowed me to come to University basically free, is an incredibly humbling thought. Don’t take anything for granted, and always remember President Hinckley’s first B: Be Grateful!
Lunch was provided (yes! more free food!) and we ate as an NSO group out on the grass in front of the Wilk. Being new BYU students, we felt the obligation to have deep, intellectual discussions concerning such globally important topics as time travel, who in the group was actually an alien, and what kind of car Bill Gates drives. ‘Twas a grand time! A math professor also stopped by and ate with us, and provided several points on the math department at BYU (hint: go to your professors (1) during their office hours (2) with specific questions.).
For several hours, all students were also able to go and listen to presentations given by their particular major’s department. I myself, looking at Graphic Design and in the Communications Fresh Acad group, went with some of my buds like Maria and Nicole to the Fine Arts presentation, which was great! They had faculty and students present different topics, with great little helps that I could relate to, such as the notion that just because you aren’t the best at something, doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t pursue it. Following the general college presentation, we split into smaller groups for different areas (viz. Visual Arts, Communications, Theater, etc.) for more specific instruction. How did it go? Well….
I am now seriously seriously reconsidering my previous considerations of becoming a Graphic Design major. Why? Because the Visual Arts presentation was such an amazing downer, unimpressive, and discouraging in general, that I don’t know if that’s where I want to be for four years! Basically, the gist of the presentation was that IF you get accepted, which only 25% do, then consider yourself a lottery winner, work work work, reapply to be in a BFA, hope your stars and planets are all cosmically aligned, get in, and then finally be able to take the classes that you really want to. Didn’t make it past either of the two portfolio reviews? Sorry, you don’t get to expand your horizons by taking any of our classes, you aren’t good enough for them!
Now I know that the Visual Arts department staff truly aren’t evil, and actually do want students to succeed. However, almost all of the staff came off with a rather elitist attitude, seemed a bit unorganized (didn’t know which classes were being offered this fall), and not incredibly supportive. I might be reviewing my options in Communications a little more seriously in the next couple of the days. One of the good things that did come out of the presentation, was that missionaries are now allowed to apply for the portfolio review, be accepted, and then defer for their mission - something that was not possible before. Hooray, I might have a chance!
Since this is incredibly long-winded, I’m going to summarize the rest of the evening. I made myself a killer dinner, consisting of chicken noodle soup, Milanos, and a banana! It was awesome, totally hit the spot! Tons of people (including myself) went and saw “The Color of Paradise,” an Iranian film about a young handicap boy and his life. Not only did it fulfill an Honors program Great Works List requirement, but it was also interesting! I probably missed 90% of the symbolism and meaning, but it was still entertaining and thought-provoking.
The culminating event of the evening (and NSO) was the “Friday Night Extravanganza.” Goodness, sounds incredible! If that’s the word you’d like to pick…
In short, it was a meet-as-many-people-as-fast-as-you-can-in-a-team-building-environment type event. Fun, but unfortunately I remember about 3 people’s names, so a little odd. But it was a fine activity in general.
Tomorrow? Yes, it’s a…
NSO Saturday Night Finale Dance!!!