The Impact of Change

The transition from high school to college is rarely smooth for students. Especially at Notre Dame, where students are randomly assigned to residence halls and randomly paired with roommates. Although this ultimately had a positive impact on my growth as a person, it was everything but easy at first. Coming from a very comfortable and blessed place - loving family, tight and secure friend circle, even things like my own bedroom - and going to Notre Dame and knowing no one (although I am still blessed to be here), I have encountered a great deal. From sickness, to loneliness, to stress in classes, it seems as if there has always been constant external dissonance in my first semester. However, just as the prompt suggests, as I have encountered a lot, I have also learned a lot. In the following essay, I will outline what I have encountered, how it connects to my experience in Moreau First Year Experience, and how I responded.
Two things I struggle tremendously with are external and internal dissonance. I have been labeled as an “overthinker,” as I tend to place negative meaning on subtle gestures, thoughts, or statements that were not intended. Thus, I learned a lot from Julia Hogan’s article “Why Letting Go of Expectations is a Freeing Habit.” In her article she emphasized the importance of not letting others dictate your life (“Why Letting Go of Expectations is a Freeing Habit” by Julia Hogan - Moreau FYE Week 9). Thus, I encountered a stressful situation having no friends, no family, and no structure. However, I was able to respond by pushing through the difficult times, opening up to people, and, most importantly, letting go of expectations. When I did so, I noticed my mood improved along with my situation. Ultimately, dropping my expectations allowed me to transition from a rough period to a much more comfortable place.
As I transitioned through the first few weeks of college, I had to adjust to living in a new community. A new group of men to live with means learning a lot of new perspectives and opinions. It was extremely important to make sure everyone’s voice was heard and respected. This was the central message of Fr. Jenkins’s 2012 seminary address - to make sure voices are heard and respected (“Wesley Theological Seminary 2012 Commencement Address” by Fr. John Jenkins C.S.C. - Moreau FYE Week 10). I feel it is even more important now than ever, considering the political climate, the post-covid world, and the dynamic culture of a new dorm, to make sure Father Jenkins’s message remains heard. I had an encounter with a toxic community when one person in my dorm removed an “ally” sticker from my friend’s door. This is not the mentality Father Jenkins spoke of. I learned that I am now in a new community, vastly different from my community in Hinsdale, and I have to make sure to respect others’ opinions, unlike the one kid did. There is no room for insensitivity here at Notre Dame.
On the note of community, it is important to look at community through the proper lens. In her article, Thirteen Ways to Look at Community, author Parker J. Palmer outlines thirteen separate lenses through which community can be defined. One of the most interesting was point 5: ‘The concept of community must embrace even those we perceive as “enemy”’ ("Thirteen Ways of Looking at Community" by Parker J. Palmer - Moreau FYE Week 11). This point is in tandem with the main message of Father Jenkins’s commencement address. We must include everyone in our community, no matter how much we disagree with them. In the case of the kid who took the ally sticker, although what he did was wrong, myself and the community need to look at him no differently. We must accept him and embrace him and help him and teach him how to respect opinions.
Lastly, on the other side of negativity, we have hope. Hope means different things for different people. For me, I look at hope as ‘optimism through faith,’ in the sense that I am still optimistic, but my optimism has a foundation of developed and deeply rooted faith. In the text by Father James B. King, C.S.C, “Hope - Holy Cross and Christian Education,” he outlines Father Moreau’s journey to founding Notre Dame and how so much of Notre Dame’s success and growth stemmed from Father Moreau’s hope (“Hope - Holy Cross and Christian Education” - Fr. James B. King, C.S.C. - Moreau FYE Week 12). Without the hope that Father Moreau had of a Christian education, it is unlikely that Notre Dame and the Tri-Campus Community would exist today. Father Moreau’s hope is concrete proof that massive institutions can stem from something as miniscule as a little hope. This connects back to my move in at Notre Dame and how my journey started off on the wrong foot. However, just like Father Moreau, and with some encouragement from my parents, I maintained hope that things would get better. I felt uncomfortable and a little homesick, however, thanks to a little bit of hope things turned around. 
As explained throughout this essay, I have encountered many difficulties and discomforts in my transition from home to Notre Dame. However, thanks to hope, community, and dropping expectations, I was able to overcome these initial difficulties and really begin to enjoy my time at Notre Dame. I have been able to respond in a positive manner. Another takeaway I have gained is the importance and impact of randomized dorms and the rooming process. Initially, as stated in this essay, I thought the randomized process would lead to some difficulties. At first, this was true. However, as I encountered new challenges with this randomization, I was able to respond positively. I feel confident in saying that I have grown a lot as a result of these difficulties and I would like to thank Notre Dame for presenting me with an opportunity to grow. Ultimately, I have learned and grown through my experiences in this first semester.