Getting to Golden

I can’t believe I’ve already been here at Mines for a month! It seems like yesterday I was packing my car for the drive from South Carolina to Colorado. Since I got here I feel like my world has been turned upside down, but definitely in a good way.

Orientation:

I was nervous about going to Mines from the time I applied until orientation day. I honestly didn’t believe I was actually going to school here until I organized my dorm room and my dad drove away, leaving me all alone in a new state where I knew nobody. I felt so forlorn as I walked from the traditional dorms (I’m in Morgan Hall) to Kafadar Commons for the barbeque, but that was the last time I’ve felt lonely since I got here. As soon as I got down to the dinner I saw my RA and all the other girls from my dorm! I’m so glad I ended up in a traditional, because I feel like I’ve had a whole floor of friends since I got here.

Mines orientation was definitely a blast. It answered any questions I might have had about finding my classes or how long the library was open. I finally got to try the food, which is delicious by the way, and learn more about my school, but Playfair was definitely the most fun I had all weekend. They put all the incoming freshmen in the Field House with a busy schedule of games and ice breakers. I met so many of my new classmates that day, and it’s been awesome seeing them around campus since then!

M Climb!

Still, without a doubt the most memorable part of orientation was the M Climb. I had been slightly worried about the trek up Mount Zion with my 10 pound rock, and I can honestly say it was nothing like I had expected. It was so much better! The seniors really made it tons of fun. They were stationed all the way up the mountain handing out drinks and snacks, not to mention squirting us with water guns and singing the school song at the top of their lungs! It was an unorthodox but completely effective way to get us to really start bonding not only with each other as a class but also with the upperclassmen as a school. I definitely felt like a true Mines student after finally reaching the M on top of the mountain and whitewashing our rocks (and everyone else of course.)

Classes:

Any anticipation I had about Mines is definitely gone now. I feel like everyone here has been welcoming and kind, and I feel like I’ve been here for years not weeks. The classes are already getting challenging, but all my teachers are amazing and so approachable. One of my favorite things about the school so far has been the staff’s dedication to the students. They really care about keeping us interested and helping us learn.

 Mines is definitely the place for me. It’s turned out to be everything I was hoping for and so much more!