Dear Incoming MSA Juniors

Thank you for stopping by. (:

My name is Callie Matthews, and I am a literary from the class of 2021. If you are reading this, I hope you are an incoming MSA junior. If not, I appreciate you for visiting my blog, as I love readers.

Although everyone has a different experience at MSA, I wanted to provide a bit of support based upon what I know. Being a student at a such a school demands a significant adjustment, and even though I attended the summer camp one summer, I definitely had a lot to learn. In fact, I always have more to learn at MSA…It is an amazing environment to cultivate growth within yourself. Anyway, I have looked forward to this post since the fall, so I hope it amounts to something. Thank you all for reading, and I hope that perhaps a few juniors will find this helpful. (:

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First of all, pat yourselves on the back! You are going to an advanced place of learning, and you are all talented and special.

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First of All…Enjoy Your Summer

I (almost) completely wasted my summer before junior year. I spent the entirety of June daydreaming about MSA and my dorm. Newsflash: my year went completely different than expected, and my dorm compared nothing to my thoughts (I constantly use the excuse that I am a minimalist…if you understand what I mean).

Yes, daydream about MSA, please. Spend an hour or so planning your dorm room’s decor. Talk to other MSA students and make cards for your roommate. But do not waste your summer wandering in the uncertainty of the future. Use this abundance of time to tackle awaited projects. And please, please, organize yourself and prepare…I can not stress that enough. Once the school year starts, you will be strapped into a seat on a roller coaster going more than 20 mph.

Personally, I recommend starting a journal. Set goals for yourself. Capture your thoughts. State expectations, and look back to see your growth. And if a journal is not your cup of tea, maybe create to-do lists, a page of reminders, etc.

You will be excited, but trust me…You will immediately wish you would have lived in the present during the summer.

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Do Not be Afraid (:

It is all in the title…Please do not be afraid! I had so much fear within me while I anticipated the year. I was going alone. I did not know my roommate. I was terrified of the seniors…which is kind of ironic (the seniors are the best…remember that). I remember overthinking everything, wow.

Going to MSA is definitely an overwhelming experience. Some people already have their roommates selected and ten thousand seniors on speed dial. Others only know the names and faces of a few people…or none. Whoever you are, you definitely deserve to be afraid. You will live in a building with strangers for days on end. But keep in mind that even the seniors are clueless, and the other juniors are definitely one hundred percent as disoriented as you. Do not be afraid to ask questions. The seniors do not hate you or perceive you as stupid, and neither do the staff.

I had a million questions. I wanted to know the locations of my classes, I wanted to know the details of various procedures (even checking out), and I had no idea how to talk to my roommate. I could have asked someone, but I did not. And I felt an unnecessary amount of fear.

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“What the Heck Do I Bring?”

This was one of my biggest questions. Since I had no contact with my roommate, I was confused about cleaning supplies. Plus, I had never lived in a dorm before. You have to learn what you need; everyone is different.

I recommend bringing (besides obvious stuff)…

• a trash can
  • +Walmart bags
• paper towels
• toilet paper
• Clorox wipes ****
• Kleenexes
• cleaning supplies
  • a broom
  • something close to a mop if not one
  • something to clean the shower with
  • toilet brush + cleaning supplies
  • something to clean the mirror
  • etc.
• anything for school
  • I would wait to buy tons of binders (see what teachers need first), but please bring paper, notebooks, folders, pens, pencils, whatever. And bring a backpack! I mean, everyone is different, but backpacks are lovely.
• a (taco) shower curtain
• a bath mat

If you are a person who is extremely particular, I would recommend buying ninety percent of this (nowhere comprehensive) list. But I also recommend talking to roommates and suitemates and taking turns buying cleaning supplies and items such as shower curtains, bath mats, etc. You should probably wait to buy some of these…For instance, some people may not want to shower behind a curtain with tacos on it.

I also recommend bringing…

• blankets
• an umbrella (please)
• records & a record player
• a diffuser
• at least one plant (:
• a gallon of water
  • save plastic by filling up a gallon of water instead of going through individual bottles…I keep a jug in my room for my coffee maker, etc.
• and snacks ****
  • Brings snacks, please…they will save your life. I can not tell you how many times chips and salsa provided me comfort during ten p.m. essay struggles.

Obviously, bring a lot more than this. This list is missing a lot. But keep in mind that, at MSA, you are not stranded. You have opportunities to buy necessities, and you are surrounded by people. Dorms are learning experiences, so see whatever works for you over time. For instance, I needed an extra desk lamp because I use every inch of my desk, and I like a lot of light. I also always have a good amount of plants to add life. And I had a taco piñata just for the heck of it.

Also, do not forget your phone (or your hair brush). I left my phone and hair brush at home once…It sucked (I was away from both for almost a week). In the beginning, it helps to have a list of items to pack for MSA and for home. But soon you will be a professional packer. (:

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Move-In Day

Oh, move-in day…brings back so many memories. That day was intense. I had no idea how to handle the influx of information, new people, and change. However, I spent so much time worrying for no reason. The day definitely presented a myriad of emotion, but I had the easiest transition to a new school than ever before. I expected the seniors to see me as a clueless idiot, but I hardly saw them; they mainly gave advice, anyway. And a few days of orientation existed between then and the first day of school, so I felt a million times more relaxed when I had to navigate my schedule. All in all, although I had to meet my roommate, eat in an unfamiliar cafeteria, and leave everything I knew for many days, I never once felt extremely uncomfortable or lost.

Be strategic when packing but not too strategic. Find a way to contact your roommate in advance, but do not panic if you can not (I met my roommate on move-in day). Try not to feel too embarrassed or anxious; no one thinks you are weird or stupid, believe me (I have done so many stupid things…). Do not be afraid to ask questions or walk around. Missing your family will get easier, also. And do not feel discouraged if you do not make friends the first day…I made my first friend outside of my discipline in September. You will have a hundred questions, but know that you are not alone in your worries. Ask for help (if I am there, ask me for help, heck), and have hope! You are starting a two-year journey. Believe me when I say that you can not predict your journey.

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Seniors:

Like I have said a million times, do not be afraid of the seniors. They have only been at MSA for one year, and most of them do not care how many bags you bring on move-in day, etc. I wanted to stay as far away from the seniors as possible because I thought they would treat us like reject freshmen. But, in actuality, I learned a lot from my seniors. They added a lot of life, and I will miss laughing at them. They also gave me hope during the first weeks; I felt discouraged, like I would never have any friends, but I saw how close they all were (especially the literaries). All in all, the seniors were one of my favorite aspects of my junior year. I actually ended up interacting with them more than expected, and I became friends with a few of them. In fact, my closest friend was a senior.

Please talk to the seniors. Yes, they will leave and make you sad, but your conversations with them will be worth it, without a doubt. Not only that, but they are great resources. If I did not talk to any seniors, I would have stupidly believed that walking outside was off-limits, and I would have been blind to the awesomeness of occasional ice cream.

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Roommates & Suitemates…

If you know your roommate, awesome…same with suitemates. I knew neither…I am still alive, so have hope if you do not.

I had kind of a rare experience with roommates and suitemates. I had no suitemates for the first few weeks (rare), but then two people moved in from elsewhere. I knew one from the MSA summer camp, so I was happy about that. Then my roommate left, and then the other suitemate left. I ended up having my room all to myself and sharing a bathroom with only my summer camp friend. Needless to say…I had the best time ever.

You will most likely experience something entirely different.

Do not be afraid of your dorm people, though. I was terrified of them first, but living around so many people is manageable (even if you are an introvert). Do not hesitate to set boundaries; you will need them. And please make adjustments to accommodate each other. Do not be rude and turn all of the lights off at six p.m., please, if your roommate is studying. And do not invite people to your dorm when your roommate is sleeping. Be considerate (although not too amiable). All in all, do not be afraid of roommates or the people who share a bathroom with you. I promise everything will be okay, really (says the person who only had a roommate for two months…but seriously).

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Confidence

MSA helped me break out of my shell (but not too much…I am still the same person) and gain more confidence. I actually had ask questions and talk to people. I was plagued with stress at first, but it helped me in the end.

Have hope. It will get easier; the campus will no longer feel so large and mysterious, and the people will no longer seem like strangers. Also, realize that you are not alone. I learned that it is okay to ask for help (thank you, everyone who walked with me to get something signed).

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The First Few Weeks

I was afraid to speak in class, and I struggled to talk to my discipline. I wondered how I would ever share any of my writing with them (I had never done so with anyone before). I sat by myself for awhile and read. I never went anywhere. I went straight to my room after dinner and sat at my desk for hours, stressing over everything.

You may find yourself alone at first. You may wonder how you will ever make friends or share your art with your discipline. You may feel discouraged and stressed and overwhelmed.

But know this: Your discipline will become almost like a family. I am so grateful for my discipline, and I never thought that I would have seven friends given to me. Granted, we have our own friend groups, but there is no other group that I would rather share my work with. They are supportive and accepting, and they help you better your work (and your day).

Also know that this will all change! My year changed drastically after the first month. I went from reading a book during meals to having memorable conversations. The friend groups at MSA are not rigid, and you will not end up alone your entire year unless you choose to be.

Open your mind to possibilities. Resist being discouraged. And treat your beginning like any other but know that you are in a welcoming place.

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Dorms

Living in a dorm is an experience like any other. I loved my dorm. At first, I had hardly any decorations, but I slowly made it my own. Next Wednesday, I have to move out all of my belongings, so I feel a little nostalgic. 

I recommend bringing at least one small plant. Plants add life and color to the room, and they helped me when I was adjusting to the atmosphere of MSA. I also recommend taco piñatas…they add a nice flavor of decor.

Keep your room neat, please, it will save you. Sweep it regularly, and I also recommend that you wipe down desks, knobs, and light switches every week to prevent the spread of germs.

MSA is a residential school, so you are surrounded by people more than usual. Your dorm should be a relaxing place where you feel comfortable, so I recommend you dedicate some focus to maintaining your dorm and keeping it a peaceful place.

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Clubs

Yes, MSA has clubs. You can sign up for many, but make sure you will actually attend meetings (but once you join a club, do not worry—you can leave). You never know how your schedule will look for the rest of the year. But I will say that, for me, I felt stressed and mega booked at the beginning of the year; I almost did not join any clubs. Please do not join every club you see, but I highly recommend that you consider ones that interest you.

I signed up for a club that attended a animal shelter, and it helped me gain a few community service hours (plus, I was surrounded by kittens). I also signed up for an ensemble club and Artoberfest. Artoberfest is basically a haunted house put together by MSA. I am so glad that I joined because I had a lot of fun despite the work (and I earned a ton of hours). And my favorite club I joined was the second ensemble club, in which MSA kids with instruments can play music together. This club kept my interest in music alive (I am a previous school band member…flute and mallet player…and soon to be synthesizer artist, hah), and this club also gave me a lot of laughs and happiness. I have no idea if this means anything, but as far as I know, I will be co-captain of MSA’s third ensemble (2021-2022) which is awesome.

I almost joined zero clubs, but the ones I joined brought me a lot of fun and helped me find great friends, especially in the beginning when I barely left my dorm room.

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Balance

When I started my junior year at MSA, I struggled with balance (despite being used to having busy schedules booked with practices, etc.). I felt like I had so much homework and would never have free time. But I ended up gaining some awesome time management skills. I learned how to study better and balance work with leisure.

Do not stress. You will learn balance. But until you do, I recommend prioritizing assignments. I promise that you will have time to talk to friends, especially on the weekend.

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Go Outside

For some reason, I was unsure if going outside was allowed. Newsflash…it is. Please go outside. I did not during the first month, and I felt constricted. I love to eat meals outside, and it is so much more peaceful than the cafeteria. Going on walks are nice too, and so is ice cream beneath the sky. I did not stay many weekends, but whenever I did, I drank my morning coffee somewhere outside on campus. Play frisbee or your guitar, or have a picnic (and make flower bouquets). Take a phone call outside, pick flowers, cloud-watch, or stomp on leaves. I spent a lot of time outside during my junior year, and I always had a blast.

In conclusion, yes, go outside. It will help restore your sanity, and it is nice when you want to be alone or have (mostly) uninterrupted conversations. Occasionally I would write or work on assignments outside, and I also would spend some breaks eating oranges on a random bench.

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Stay Organized

The title speaks for itself. This is so important. Try your best to keep your room clean, and make sure your schedule is balanced. Try to prepare yourself during the summer, weekends, and breaks. Go to bed early, try to wake up on time, and be on time to class. Keep your work organized and your plans, too (and brain).

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Growth & Goals

Go into your year with an open mind, but have a discernible desire to grow. You never know what will happen, all of the time. You may randomly decide to play ukulele and start a knitting club. You may make friends for life and shave your eyebrows. Whatever happens, you will grow. It is your choice in what way and to what length. Seek to overcome every obstacle. Learn greater resiliency. Become more understanding. Strive to be a person not half-empty. Care about your work and the art you create. It is up to you.

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Final Words

Dear incoming MSA juniors,

Believe in yourselves. Be humbled but also aware of your talents and ability. MSA is unquestionably a journey to remember, and you will grow so much. Do not be afraid, no matter what. Do not be afraid to go home on the weekends, but stay at least once; you will not regret it. Be open to possibilities, and accept some offers to hang out with people. The work may seem stressful at times, but you actually have more time than you think. Try to resist irritation and negative energies, and learn that this is a place where you do not have to wear a mask. Do not be afraid to tell people good morning and smile. And do not be afraid to tell people that you want to be alone. Never stop growing and believing in yourself.

MSA, by far, has been the best school that I have ever attended. I have had so many laughs, and, despite some moments, I have felt a lot of yellow emotions. I have met so many amazing people that I may or may not see again, and I have met people that I would gladly procrastinate essays for. MSA is the kind of place that makes you grow as a person and an artist, also; it has already helped me believe in my art so much more, and I now I have a greater passion for writing. Plus, Mrs. Sibley is an amazing teacher. I have learned so much from her, and I am gladly awaiting more. I began my first year at MSA confused and aimless, thinking of writing as a hopeless dream or a dramaticized hobby. Now that person feels so different.

How will you grow? What will you do? How will you react to adversity, and how will you encounter peace?

It is up to you now. This is your moment. And never, ever, forget where you came from.

Welcome. (: