The last of the Yon children is heading to Tiger Town in August to join his older siblings at Clemson University and begin his journey.  So what did we learn at our third Clemson orientation in less than four years?

1.  You will not like all your assignments, but you have to do them – that includes the infamous Library 100 class for which you receive no credits, unless you don’t complete the work-  in which case you are rewarded with an F. You have to read a book over the summer (heaven forbid) and attend a class with all the other freshman to hear the author talk about this book.  And write a two page paper, submitted online.  Welcome to college.

2.  You are going to get lost on campus, no matter how many times you have been there to a football game or to visit your siblings.  The names of the buildings are not always so easy to find.  Looking for landmarks like the high rises or Tillman Hall is helpful until you learn how to navigate the campus.

3.  Class sign up and changes online are a little harrowing the first time you do it no doubt, but trust me, it is WAY easier than standing in very long lines in very hot weather like us old folks used to do.  If your parents haven’t told you how hard they had it back in the day, they will.  Kind of like walking to school in the snow……barefooted.

4.  Along those lines, Clemson has a lot of hills and you have fifteen minutes to get to back to back classes across campus.  This can be accomplished without owning a moped.  I am sure of it and will not be convinced otherwise. And furthermore there were no university buses shuttling students around, not even from the remote parking lots back in the day.  Walking is good exercise and it is free,  so enjoy.

4.  If you don’t have a roommate lined up when you go to orientation, this too can be remedied.  I must say I was proud of Corbin and his newly found roommate who were randomly placed in the same orientation group.  The two of them decided via text message after orientation that while they just met for a few hours that they were pretty sure they  could both tolerate each other for at least a semester/year and thought that was a safer option than the random assignment given from the housing dept.  So an Engineering major from Nassau and an Ag major from Ridge Spring will be bunking together come August if approved by housing. Let the adventure of dorm life begin.

5. And though Corbin doesn’t know it yet, he will,  in time,  understand fully the meaning of the phrases that “there is something in these hills” and “my blood runs orange.” As I sat in a courtyard on what is no doubt one of the most beautiful campuses in the country, it seemed like not so long ago that I was on this journey. People keep reminding us how sad it will be to become “empty-nesters” but I can honestly say,  no tears here, though I certainly miss them all being in the house.  What a great stage of life – I can’t wait to watch it unfold!  Go Tigers!