Integration Two Bryan Reaume Moreau First-Year Experience 3 December 2021 Love Thee, Freshman Year When asking a freshman how their first semester of college was, you may receive a large range of responses; “It was the happiest I’ve ever been”, “It was the lowest point in my life”, “I’ve never felt so happy, yet confused and lonely.” These are just the basic answers one may have when attempting to explain the varying emotions they have felt as a first-year. Nevertheless, what I have come to realize is that it is precisely these experiences and how we respond to the issues we face which allow us to grow as individuals. Throughout the Moreau First-Year Experience course, I have been able to assess my values and beliefs while investigating the different life experiences and perspectives people have. Most importantly, I learned about how I will approach and respond to all I have encountered not only through my first semester of college, but my life as a whole. Over the course of my first few months here, something I have personally struggled with is a concept known as imposter syndrome. Essentially, sometimes I will get really frustrated with myself when I make simple mistakes or am confused on a topic and begin to question myself and my abilities. Furthermore, I will then go on to compare myself to other people. This is something that I have always struggled with, but it has only gotten worse in college. However, during Week Nine of the Moreau course, I was able to delve deeper into the topic, “You can’t live your life according to the expectations of others. When you do, you aren’t living your own life — you’re living someone else’s life” ("Why Letting Go of Expectations is a Freeing Habit" by Julia Hogan https://grottonetwork.com/navigate-life/health-and-wellness/letting-go-of-expectations/?utm_source=fall_2021&utm_medium=class&utm_id=moreau - Moreau FYE Week Nine). Hogan’s explanation here really resonated with me because it allowed me to view a situation from a whole different perspective. It allowed me to realize that living life for quality according to myself and my values is far more essential than living according to society’s expectations about what should be best for me. Thus, when I doubt myself and experience this imposter syndrome, it is important for me to take a step back and look at it in the grand scheme of things. I must look deeply into myself and act based on what I actually want for myself rather than basing it off on other people. Rather than doubting myself or questioning my abilities because I am not performing up to another person’s standards, I will be satisfied with my results as long as I put in all the effort I could have. Because in the end, that is what truly matters to me, and what allows me to live the life I want. Moreover, another opportunity the University of Notre Dame has provided me with is a wide range of students, all from different backgrounds and perspectives. As a result, I have been able to have very productive and respectful conversations about certain global issues with people I have both agreed and disagreed with. This has allowed me to see the importance of these conversations and how I can carry out these ideas into the world once I graduate. During Week Ten of this course, I learned about the different levels of brokenness in different communities, “A country whose citizens treat one another with scorn does not have a bright future” (“Wesley Theological Seminary Commencement” by Father John Jenkins - Moreau FYE Ten). This speech connected with me quite deeply because it is something that I have always been concerned about, yet interested in. Learning more about this concept which Father Jenkins discusses was crucial because it allows me to carry this knowledge into conversations with my peers for the rest of my life. Oftentimes people can become very passionate about their respective sides, thus leading to this “scorn” which Father Jenkins is referring to. Thus, it is up to me to approach these https://president.nd.edu/homilies-writings-addresses/wesley-theological-seminary-commencement/ https://president.nd.edu/homilies-writings-addresses/wesley-theological-seminary-commencement/ conversations with respect and cordiality. After all, hatred gets us nowhere. Having thoughtful, insightful conversations is far more meaningful because it can actually have a positive effect on the world. Furthermore, one core belief that the University has adopted which I have learned to value myself is the concept of community. Whether it is a small lab group or my entire residence hall, I have begun to also embrace having a strong, close-knit community. In doing this, I have learned to love and accept all of the people within these communities, even if they were someone who I may not normally be close with. During Week Eleven, I learned about how I may encounter the different forms of community, “The concept of community must embrace even those we perceive as ‘enemy,’” (“Thirteen Ways of Looking at Community” by Parker J. Palmer - Moreau Week Eleven). While I do not necessarily have any “enemies” within my community, there are people who I have had to embrace even though I probably wouldn’t be close with them otherwise. Nonetheless, I still feel that this quote is quite important because it is something that our community deeply struggles with today. Overall, I now understand how important it is that I embrace everyone and accept them into my community, so that way we can create a less hateful society that works to create a more interconnected, progressive group of individuals. During my time here at Notre Dame, one element that has become a larger part of my life than it previously was is spirituality. Not being a very religious person, the faith atmosphere of the college was the only value I was rather unsure about. However, I will say that as I have taken a closer look at religion through my Theology class and visits to the Grotto, I have become more and more intrigued by what faith has to offer. In fact, I have found myself living for a greater purpose than myself or even the loved ones around me. Week Twelve additionally played a part in allowing me to investigate what a faith-based education has to offer, “An education of mind http://couragerenewal.org/parker/writings/13-ways-of-looking-at-community/ and heart means to enkindle within students a burning desire to act boldly, like the original disciples afire with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost who set out to preach the Good News to all the world,” (“Hope - Holy Cross and Christian Education” by Father James B. King - Moreau FYE Week Twelve). This quote had quite an impact on me because it draws a valuable connection between basic human concepts as well as a more complex, powerful notion of God and the meaning of life. I was able to become more aware of the Holy Cross education and how one can unlock both great knowledge and a strong type of passion and zeal through God. I now know that religion does not have to be this scary, overbearing concept. Rather, I can utilize it to have a greater impact on my own life as well as the lives of those around me. For me, if someone asks how my first semester of college was, I will most likely just give them a simple “great.” What they will not know is the true magnitude of this simple answer. They probably won’t understand how much I mean it. They probably might think to themselves, “just great? That’s it?” When they will realize how great it truly was, however, is when I tell them all of the wonderful people I have met and the life lessons I have learned. The fact of the matter is, “great” is the only word that I can think of when describing my experience here, and that’s because it truly is a great place. It is the only word I could use because there frankly is not a word valuable enough to explain to people all I have encountered and all I have been taught. https://campusministry.nd.edu/assets/105621/