From moments to memories

There are two reasons I love the month of August. First, my wedding anniversary is in August. I married my high school sweetheart, and this year we are celebrating 22 years together! The second reason I love August: I will never forget my first one at Virginia Tech, also the year of my wedding. I had joined VT Student Affairs in March, so I was a Hokie for a while before my first fall semester. I will never forget it – it felt as if a switch flipped and campus went from quiet to energetic overnight!

At the time, my job didn’t have any direct connection with students moving in, so the sudden change from that Sunday to the Monday of move-in is sealed in my memory. The way we help students settle in to their residence halls has changed dramatically since then. When you arrive on campus, you will notice that we have tried to make the experience as smooth as possible. There are set times to move in, designated locations to unload items, and information on where to park once the unloading is done. We have also created a schedule of activities for your student’s first evening so you can feel confident in leaving them to start their life on campus.

I know that many of you are approaching move-in like a checklist. Pack everything, check. Confirm arrival timeslot, check. Load the car, check. Drive to Blacksburg, check. Unload, check. Run to the store, check. Run back to the store, check, (again). Hydrate and eat, check. Drive back home, check. All those to-do items are both chaotic and fun. Dean of Students Mark Sikes’s letter in this newsletter has some helpful advice for managing all those items. I want to add one more very important item to your list:

Find a moment to celebrate moving in.

This month may bring a bit of apprehension and bittersweet sentiment. That is normal. Each of you is facing this transition differently. This may be the first time your student has lived away from home. If so, this first may also be the last time your student will be living with you regularly.

I bring up the importance of marking firsts and lasts because transitions matter. I had the pleasure of reading “The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact” by Chip and Dan Heath. The authors observe that our most memorable positive moments have common elements, and if we are aware of them, we can turn big moments – and even everyday moments – into powerful memories that enhance life and well-being. Transitions are moments in our lives that have significant power because they mark where we have been and where we are going. The authors remind us that when we reflect on our lives, we don’t remember all the small moments, but we do remember “flagship” moments – the big ones – and this moment is a big one!

It may seem obvious to celebrate this transition, but it can be easier said than done. When I walk around campus during move-in, I find families and students working to stay hydrated, trying to stay cool (both in temperature and in outlook), and crossing things off their lists. This year, I want to encourage each of you to mark this monumental transition for your student with a moment. Take time to think about when and how you want to celebrate this milestone with your student – how you will capture all the good that has come before and all the possibilities that lie ahead.

This could be a planned family photo on campus, taking time before moving to gather handwritten notes from family members and friends that you give your student, or any words or gestures of love and support that express your pride, joy, and support for this important first. What you do doesn’t matter as much as making sure you mark this big moment to create a sense of pride and connection!

And of course, stay cool, stay hydrated, and know that my team and I and countless other Hokies will be all over campus during this big week and in the weeks after to help you and your student with this important transition.