Integration 1



Thigpen
Moreau FYE
10/15/21

New Home Under the Dome

I always hear the older kids talking about moreau like it’s some chore. I think it is the
perfect example of the “you get out what you put in” sort of analogy. I’ve carefully reflected over
my time at the University of Notre Dame and realized how much my perspective has either been
changed or enhanced by my first year experiences.

I believe I grow by building friendships. The first week here was especially hard for me
because I didn't have a network of friends to rely on. “I had a breakdown but my therapist called
it a spiritual awakening”(“The Power of Vulnerability” by Brené Brown - Moreau FYE Week One)
I have always been a social person and through highschool I learned to maximize my social
skills. I feel like I had a great experience coming out of my shell in high school. I was elected to
the student council and spent all 4 years participating in school events and it forced me to be
uncomfortable by meeting new people. Following the first week, It was still kind of hard to meet
new people but I believe it was significantly easier because I already went through a relatable
experience in high school. I mainly love meeting new people because every single person is
slightly different. I think it’s enjoyable to compare people's personalities to those I have already
met. Not only that but it's almost even more exciting to meet someone who's completely
different from anyone you've ever met. I know that I am seeking out those with strong character.
As discussed in week 2, I believe that building the Adam 2 side of yourself can be just as
beneficial as building your academic knowledge. College is generally thought of as a place of
building quantitative knowledge but I believe that character building is just as important. “You
had to leave friends and family in order to build these relationships at Notre Dame”(“The Role of
Faith in Our Story” by Fr. Pete McCormick, C.S.C. - Moreau FYE Week Two). Father Pete said
exactly what I was thinking. It was really tough the first couple days, I missed my family and my
friends because it seemed like everything was so easy in highschool.

The articles from week 3 talked about the meaning of perspective. I think this new
college environment is the new perspective I needed to find god. The fact that I was all by
myself meant I had the ability to make my own decisions and decide who I wanted to be without
the pressure of my parents. Since the first week, I've formed close relationships with my RA’s as
well as my hall rector, Fr Bob. I try to go to my hall mass as often as I can but it’s hard with the
busy schedule of being a part of the men's swim team. I love the feeling of being in the hall
mass. Everyone is about the same age going through roughly the same experiences together
and I believe it really amplifies the feeling of community within the residence hall and makes it
feel less like a regular college dorm. When I build these new relationships, I believe I am
searching for those who hold me to a higher standard. This aspect of my personality has been
brought to the forefront through our last few weeks of training. When I’m in the pool, I take every
chance I get to prove that I belong here and have a legitimate place on this team. It isn't always
easy but I try my best to be a leader even as a freshman. I give it my all on every effort and I
expect my teammates to do the same. I expect them to call me out on my shortcomings and I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4Qm9cGRub0&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcZMeqWWOIs&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=UniversityofNotreDameCampusMinistry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcZMeqWWOIs&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=UniversityofNotreDameCampusMinistry


respect them for that. I fight for every swim that we do because I remember something my old
coach said to me. As long as you have a lane, you have a chance. I truly think of my teammates
as a blessing to me because I know they want me to be the best version of myself. “We are
blessed so we may be a blessing to others” (“Two Notre Dames: Your Holy Cross Education”
spoken by Fr. Kevin Grove C.S.C. - Moreau FYE Week Five). I feel like the week 5 discussion
encapsulates the idea of holding each other accountable while pursuing excellence.

Part of the process of meeting new people is understanding and listening to their beliefs.
I came to this university far from home with hopes to expand my knowledge of world views. I
feel like this area of my experience is well expressed in week 4 and 7 regarding genuine
relationships and shaping complex opinions. ("Danger of a Single Story" by Chimamanda Ngozi
Adichie - Moreau FYE Week Seven). Earlier we talked about the importance of cutting out toxic
relationships, ("5 Signs You’re in a Toxic Friendship" by Olivia T. Taylor, Grotto  - Moreau FYE
Week Four) but I feel like I still haven’t come across that issue here at Notre Dame. Everyone
here is very understanding and come here for the same purpose of being exposed to new ways
of thinking. Since I’ve been in college, I've been trying to meet people who have different
viewpoints. It has been nice getting out of my hometown and broadening my experiences.
Already I've met people from different countries who speak different languages who I never
would have had the chance to meet if I went to a different college. I’m proud to say I am still long
distance dating the girl from University of Arkansas that I mentioned in my QQC. It’s been a
whole new type of change in its own aspect which has taught me how to communicate better
and express how I really feel. It's especially hard that everyone else gets to go home over fall
break while the team has to stay here and train. The next time I will get to see her is
Thanksgiving break and I really can’t wait for it to come.

Over the past 9 weeks I’ve been immersed in an entirely new environment and I have
learned how to bond and recognize character, build my faith as well as my community within the
swim team and my dorm, and I’ve learned the importance of honest communication as well as
listening to others opinions.

https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_ngozi_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story