UPDATE:My financial aid situation has been taken care of. I no longer owe $3200 and actually have extra money to help pay for my books, so my whole situation is taken care of.
Hi everybody! I just wanted to give you all an update on my first day at RIT. Move-In went fine, my dorm is on the 8th floor of my building, but there is an elevator. Unfortunately, they made it so that you had to go back down on the stairs. I got my stuff moved in and unpacked, anticipating my roommate wanting to change our room around (it’s pretty limited how much space you have when you leave the room the way it is set up) but he moved his stuff in without moving any furniture around, so we will see what happens. My roommate is kinda cool. He is really quiet (and i’m loud), and kind of meek (he didn’t give me a strong handshake when i first saw him). And he really is a computer whiz (read as almost as geeky as me), but we get along.
After I unloaded all my stuff and met my roommate, I headed to the Gordon Field House (It’s a big room that can fit A LOT of people) and got my ID and all my stuff for orientation. I also went over to the booth for financial aid and talked with them. I owe them $3200 and I won’t be getting any money from financial aid because of that. So I have to buy my books out of pocket, but luckily a family friend gave me a rather large amount of money that was supposed to be for living, but will now be for books and stuff for my classes. I have an appointment with them Wednesday so hopefully all of this will be worked out before classes start.
So, when I got back to my room I organized my desk area and put all my clothes away and put all my posters up on my side of the room and just kind of chilled out with my roommate. At 6, our entire house went to this place called the commons and got dinner and then proceeded to take up the entire back of the place. People argued over whether it’s soda or pop, and the second years attempted to remember all of our names. We then went back to the NRH Quad (it’s a courtyard out front of Nathaniel Rochester Hall…where my house is) and everyone stood in a circle and said their name, major and hometown. i decided to be funny when it was my turn and said, “Hi, my name is Alec and I’m an Alcoholic” which made everyone laugh. After everyone introduced themselves, we played Never Have I Ever. I got elbowed in the cheek bone by our house VP at one point running for a spot. It was fun. We then had about an hour and a half until our first house meeting, where we learned the rules and what is and not allowed in the rooms. I had to take down my christmas lights, because they’re not allowed to be on the underside of the bed because it’s a fire hazard…bull…
Afterwards I took a walk on campus and got a feel for it. I like it here, it feels sorta like camp, It’s really surreal. I still miss all my friends in Philadelphia though…well, I will see most of them in October when everyone comes up to visit.
Alec,
I am soooo happy for you. It sounds like you are going to have many adventures. Soak up every moment of it. I go to college now as a working adult because of poor choices that I made when I was young….I threw away my opportunuties…….and even though I am finishing what I started now as an adult it is not the same……I would give a lot to just have one more chance and go back to do it all over again. As I always tell Troy my fifteen year old…learn learn learn all you can and get that piece of paper so he doesn’t have to struggle like me. Anyway you are going to experience so much and grow even more as a human being. I know mom must be just all smiles looking down on you =) =) =). I am glad I got to say goodbye before you left. We shall mmet again and I want to hear all about it. Take care and stay safe. God bless you!!!!!!!
Chrissy
Im so glad it all went easily. My heart ached a bit yesterday during brunch and only got worse when the family came in minus you! Im so pround of you, i talked about you and RIT to everyone who asked where you were. You’ll be happy to know that if ur wetre at Ida’s yesterday, you would have crawled in a corner and cried, it was our busiest day in 6 months and we didn’t have you or Donna or Mike! you were missed. All my luv,mk
Congrats on the fun start. I hope you have a blast!
Hi Alec,
This advice may come too late for you but next semester, look at http://www.half.com for your textbooks. I bought most of my books from them and paid very little. You can also check out Amazon.com, too. I found some deals there.
Best wishes for your new college adventure!
what….no shout outs to your awesome movers? we super proud of you alec! you handled a very stressful situation yesterday with hope that all will be well….and look, it is.
love & hugs,
lauren
what….no shout outs to your awesome movers? we’re super proud of you alec! you handled a very stressful situation yesterday with hope that all will be well….and look, it is.
love & hugs,
lauren
Dear Family,
i do not know where to start as in how to express my deepest regrets for your loss. perhaps the best place to start would be today and how i found your blog.
I live in endicott ny, and go to Broome community college. Today i was in a writing for media calss and the teacher handed out several copies of the same newspaper. we all took a section, so that he could show us how media is written for hte masses. I had the lifestyle section. in it was the article taht is posted here in the blog. i started reading it with the hopes of coming here to read through your mothers journey, and see how she is today. i started from the frist one. i expirenced, what you allowed the world to see, and it helped me a little bit. thank you.
I also wanted to tell you all about my expierence with this particular form of breast cancer. I want to share this with you guys if its ok..
I am 25 years old, my mom died of breast cancer when i was five. when i was 19 my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer. apperently she had the samy type as your beautiful mother, and so did my mother. On novemeber 26th, 2007 my sister died from IBC after fighting for five years.
Her mother-in-law survived cancer. i dont know why, well i didnt know why at the time. i was mad as hell, but yet relived that L’nell survived, jason, eileen’s (my sister) husband to lean on. so that i could lean on jasons mom, so i could lean on his uncle who presided over the ceremony. so i could come closer to god.
And my sister was soo positive like Andrea was. when i saw some of hte photos of andrea after she passed, teh ones of her growing up,i was crying. but i was crying for the fact that andrea not hurting anymore. i was crying because i miss my mom, still, and my sister. but in those photos i see mey sister. so i know your mother/wife was nothing short of wonderfully spectacular.
I am soo sorry for your loss, i cant donate via paypal, im broke. i cant come help yall with your house, i cant help cook and take care of clay. im sorry Kelly that i can not be there to help physically.
Im sorry kids you had your mom taken away. but i think your mom said it best. it is not a prents job to only raise you, but to teach you how to be an adult. i know im not getting hte context right, but i hope you understand what i am saying. alec, kelly, if any of you want to talk to me please do. i want to help you in anyway i can.
I am sorry if i sound as if i am rambeling, i dont mean to. this blog, your expierence, your love for one another moves me in so many ways.
take care and God bless,
nancy
Alec, I’m really glad it’s going good there for you. And thanks for letting us know it!
Glad you got moved in and all! Welcome to the college world man!
Alec,
My first year of college was 20 years ago and you brought back so many memories. I remember I must have been so nervous my first year that I talked really fast. My Mom asked me if I was taking drugs! I wasnt!!! I also remember how hard it was for me to get used to the bathrooms. They werent in our rooms but on the dorm floor. Do guys have issues with public restrooms and going to the bathroom??? This probably isnt a good topic for a public blog. sorry ; )
Well, thank you for sharing your first day with us. My oldest children are 7 so they have a few years yet.
May God bless you and enjoy!!! Blessings, alaina
Dude you rock!
your gonna have a blast in college have fun and be careful!
~leah
Oh geez, I’m excited for you. Work hard and enjoy this time in your life.
I will give a shout out to the movers!!! Anyone who helps a kid move to a dorm should get a least a shout out and a HUGE hug too!!!
Alec-It shounds like you are settling in nicely! You will love college, I still regret that I never did the dorm thing, ok, I regret that I didnt go college 30 years ago either!! lol At any rate, yesterday was the first day of my senior year at Niagara University (near Lewiston and Niagara Falls).
I too, am excited to be back to hitting the books, although it will be done around my full time day job and my life with my two teens…..at any rate, you have been given an wonderful opportunity- get a planner and put all of your due dates from classes in as you get them, and highlight them to not miss a thing. Break large projects down into manageable pieces. I once heard a phrase, something about not eating an elephant whole, but starting with the ears and taking one bite at a time. College is like that too, one week at a time, one semester at a time, one year at a time. It will fly and before you know it you will be done. Treasure your new friends, spend time with the old ones, and do not doubt for a minute that your mom is smiling down and watching over you with a huge smile on her face!! She is so proud of you, as is Kelly and your siblings!! Take a deep breath, relax and focus-you can do this!!
Now- get to work!! lol
Michelle
Good luck Alec…you sound like you are settling in just fine. That’s awesome. Have fun and enjoy college life because it goes super fast. Remember all your mom has taught you! HUGS!
Good luck Alec! You and your family are in my prayers!
Go Alec! Thanks for taking the time to update us. We are all proud of you! I hope you enjoy your classes this week and have a chance every once in a while to keep us up to date.
Love, Cousin Wendy in California
Alec, Best of luck to you! This is the beginning of an exciting journey. Have fun, trust your gut, be careful (most of the time). Glad the financial aid worked out (in my experience, it usually gets messed up then gets straightened out, like you’d think they never did it before). I’m sure your family & friends miss you too. Keep rockin’.
Linda
I just moved my sister into her dorm. Have fun this year! College goes sooo fast. I am a senior this year, and it seems like just yesterday that I moved into the dorms. Cherish every moment, as I am sure you do.
Hi Alec, First step accomplished……..you’re there, you’re in, you’re surviving……..a day at a time applies to almost everything in life……good luck with all your tomorrows. Keep an eye out for package from me. Saw this item on one of my grandchildren and knew I had to get it for you. Will be in touch……Love, Toni
hey alec, my friend Michael Serra works at a coffee shop on campus called Java’s. he’s an artist and a cool dude, he said pop by if you want to get coffee or something. and congrats!
That is awesome and now you can not worry and get your work done. Don’t party too hard:-)
Hey Alec:
I am so happy to hear about your day. I have to tell you that you are a talented writer too.
You had me hooked.
Nothing but better things ahead Alec.
Love Renee
I’m glad that things have turned out to be cool. I hope that everything else goes on smoothly as time goes on. Just keep your head up, and I’ll be praying for you.
With love,
Lexis
Awesome!!! I am so excited for you and so happy that you can concentrate on school now instead of worrying about how to pay for it!
Hi Alec,
I stumbled on your family’s blog this evening. You all seem like an amazing group and being a new mom of an 18 month old, i can’t even imagine how difficult it was for your mom to say good-bye to her children.
I’m not sure if you’ll be looking for a church in the Rochester area (I’ve lived here for 10 years) but Artisan church is a great (small) place to meet college kids and other people in the community.
Check out their site if you like @ artisanchurch.com.
Good luck at RIT! It’s a great school – and rochester has a lot to offer – you just have to look in the right places. 😉
Lora
Hey Alec
Dorm room number #?
For sending mail and goodies.
Thanks
Patrice
Hey Kido…
I’m am sooo glad you love school. Just keep your eye on the prize! You’re gonna do wonders there is no doubt in my mind!! I really miss you guys! Take care!