Well I survived…I think. But I am coming back with even less confidence than before. You will see why once I take you through the endless-no-sleep days that were Sunday-Tuesday. Sunday started with a wake-up at 3:30am and hopping in the car to leave at 5:30am. The only thing that made this morning drive okay was the fact that I had made pancakes the night before to eat in the car! Haha, can’t go without my weekend morning pancakes. It was interesting, but I just let them cool the night before, wrapped them in wax paper, then just unwrapped in the car, mixed up my protein frosting, and ripped and dipped the cakes! Perfection 😉 Cold pancakes are actually pretty tasty too!
Sorry for all these phone/instagram pictures in this post! I did not bring my DSLR on the trip and I am so glad I did not!
This is also when your mom turns around in the car and looks at you like your crazy 😉 Anyway, we made it down there by 9:30ish and stopped at the hotel my mom and brother would be at. I couldn’t check-in to orientation till 11 so we decided to get in some quick sight-seeing and lunch before I was dropped off. We went and said hello to the White House (this was my brother’s first time in DC and he didn’t seem very impressed). We stopped at Whole Foods to get lunch (the last decent thing I ate that day). Then we had to lug my heavy suitcase, food bag (breakfast and snack essentials), and overnight bag down many blocks to the campus.
My 4 other roommates for the duration were not there, but I just dropped off my stuff and headed over to the opening “ceremony”. I met with my small group and leader and thankfully clicked with one of the girls in the group. Everyone was nice and friendly so that was one plus to my confidence. At least I can make friends! That day was super long with a bunch of different sessions we could attend just learning college life and what to expect.
Finally it was time for dinner. My mom had been in major contact with catering and food services all day. But alas, I was seared a plate of steamed green beans and about 2oz of undercooked pink “fake” grilled chicken. So green beans for dinner it was. (Why do all event/cafeteria places always serve green beans as the vegetable? Is it the most easily mass produced produce? I will never understand this…) I was about ready to die right there so thank god I brought food on my own. A shout out to my pumpkin pie Larabar for saving my life!
By the time dinner and then next sessions ended it was already 11 and I was exhausted. I never stay up that late. So I headed back to the dorm and skipped out on any of the late night adventures into the city. There I experienced a rare full on panic attack. I was still alone in the dorm room as none of my roommates were back. I called my mom, brother, even dad and none of them answered. I really needed someone to talk to as I lay in silence in a creepy gross dorm with random elevator noises and kids running up and down the halls every so often. Eventually my mom was woken up and talked to me over the phone for awhile. I then just had to close my eyes and pray for sleep on that metal spring bed and 1/2 inch thick pillow. No sleep was had and I heard all my roommates come back. In the morning we all talked and they were all sweet, which was another good thing showing me that the students at GW will be good!
For breakfast, considering I don’t eat bagels, I brought my own buckwheat cereal to microwave. Well low and behold the microwaved was not plugged in and was on top of the fridge. The plug would not reach the outlet so my very nice roommate helped me left the heavy thing off the top and down onto one of the desks so we could plug it in. That girl has no idea how thankful I was! The rest of Monday was all sessions, including mandatory sessions with out specific schools and then meetings with out academic advisers to clarify scheduling and how to register for the right classes. I had one of my friends I had been talking to for a few weeks before hand in the same advising group so I hung out with him the rest of the day. I then met-up with my mom and brother so she could get me Whole Foods again for lunch since the “BBQ” on the Mount Vernon campus would not have had anything I could eat. We did go over to that campus though to finalize where I will be living next year. So no longer am I in a 6-person dorm in the city with no kitchen. I’ll be in a dorm with a really fancy kitchen (better than mine at home!), but miles out from the city. I am still in denial about this. From there I went back over to the city for more sessions and then our regional dinner which was this for me…
Yup a plate of chicken and steamed broccoli. Thrilling. Mind you I was on the phone with the head of catering this whole time trying to get them to give me the right food and when this plate is finally brought to me it was not what they said. They also came back out trying to give me a plate of raw spinach as “salad” and they told me that plate was actually for someone else. (It was safe for me, but it wasn’t actually for me?) I don’t know, but what I do know is they have no idea who to feed someone with food allergies and I know I am not the only one ever with Celiac and other allergies to come to the college. My mom and I are really scared right now and are still fighting with them to get their communication together. They have instilled no confidence in being able to provide for me and have done nothing at all to accommodate my needs thus far even though I was approved through disability. I always say being gluten-free and having my food restrictions is easy. But now that it is time for college and not being home, it is eye-opening to see just how difficult it is and how ignorant many people are about it.
I had to get out of there so I skipped some comedy performance and headed down to the monuments to meet-up with my mom and brother. It felt good to just walk around since I had been sitting those last few days (no exercise…I basically died. I also did not have time to make it to any of the yoga studios I had hoped to check out. It was too scary to do by myself at 5:30am in the morning when I could have anyway!). The monuments always make me feel better though!
I headed back late to the dorm again and skipped the midnight excursions too. I was just so tired and so full of anxiety, I needed to at least pretend I could get some sleep. I also bought a bunch of bars from Whole Foods so I snacked on a finally new to me Kit’s Organic Cashew bar! It was so good! I wish I had access to these at home 🙁
The next morning I needed to get on my laptop since blogging from my phone on Monday was not fun. I actually tried plugging the router that was in our room into an outlet, but I ended up blowing the fuse (sparks and smoke went flying) and disabled all the outlets on one wall. Thankfully I got it fixed! So I headed down to Starbucks with my laptop, got an iced green tea and did some happy-me-time blogging. Then there was just the organization fair and a survey to take on Tuesday. I left with one of my roommates and we did that, I signed up for the College Republicans (haha, woohoo!). There were only a handful of organization there though so I will have to wait to see all 400+ of them in the big fair during the first week of school. I then skipped closing ceremonies, met-up with my mom and brother so we could lug back to their hotel all my stuff in the hot hot humid DC heat. (My brother complained the whole time about carrying my suitcase!).
Before we left to go home, we picked up lunch again at Whole Foods and a sub for my brother. Then we hit the road, or more like hit traffic. It took us over 5 hours to get home! My body hurt so bad. Sitting for days, walking, shin-splints, no-sleep, sore body-aches does not make for a fun car ride. I was so happy to be home and be able to sleep in my own bed though. I am not ready for college after that experience. But I know and so many people have told me not to worry and that these orientations are obviously nothing like real college life. But I only have a few weeks really to get my self calm, cool, and collected. I can foresee many future posts on this blog being me trying to work though my pre-college anxiety and worries. And thank you to all of those who have been in contact with me through emails and social media about my worries of college. You guys don’t know how much I appreciate it and how it has helped! XOXO
Before I go…I have some exciting news to end this rather sad tale-of-gluten-free-woe with! After maybe 8 years, I had my first coffee! Yes, I use my coffee extract and small amounts of instant granules in pancakes, but I have not had coffee in years! I went hardcore at the DD when we stopped at a rest stop on the way home. A small iced black unsweetened decaf coffee. I was so scared. Before I took my first sip, I out in some stevia, haha, and then it happened. I am addicted! The taste! O how I forgot about the taste of coffee! It was so good! I think there is going to be a problem now. I am going to have to control myself once I start living in the world of Starbucks and coffee shops on every corner DC! For now, all I can say is…Coffee, I love you and I am glad to have you accepted into my life again. (Just can’t over do it and screw up my stomach again. Control. Moderation…)
***P.S. Today is the last day to enter my Blog Birthday Giveaway Surprise Box! I gathered some awesome stuff and you don’t want to miss out on your chance to win this one!***
So tell me:
+ Were you one of those annoying “so excited not nervous at all” incoming freshman? I am not. At all. And to all those kids saying they are, I do not believe you one bit!
+ Allergies, medical, or disability problems in college? How did you deal with un-accomidating administration? We are still constantly in contact with dining and housing right now. But everything we do just seems to be a wasted effort. They are not listening and not giving me any accommodations what so ever. They aren’t even going to switch around my meal plan dollars to better help me.
+ Favorite coffee place? I have only ever had DD and it’s damn good. But Starbucks is the kind in DC, so I need to give them a try next!
*I am linking up with Amanda’s Thinking Out Loud today!*
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Aurora says
I just found your blog-I’m a college student and I’m living at GW this summer 🙂 It’s such a nice area-if you can get the food thing worked out I know you’ll love it here!
Strength and Sunshine says
Haha you don’t have to sell me, I love DC! Its the number 1 reason I chose to go there. I love everything about the city and have dreampt of living there my whole life!
Cynthia @ You Signed Up For WHAT?! says
I’m sorry you had a hard time with the nutritional/food aspect of orientation. Are you excited about college in general and the school and classes?
Strength and Sunshine says
Of course! I can’t wait to start studying for my major! That’s the joy of academic freedom I’ve always wanted 😉
lilmissfitnessfreak says
I really hope that they can make things better for you! I was lucky and actually got a doctors note so that I was given an apartment style residence first year that came with a kitchen! I have allergies PLUS a bad history with food so I need to ensure that food was on point. It’s really unfortunately how badly they are doing with your allergies, surely they have better food!
I was super nervous the first day as well. I cried on my way there (only child syndrome lol) but the second I walked into my apartment, one of my roomies gave me the biggest hug and I knew that I was going to be just fine. We are still friends today and I love her for the comfort she gave me when I needed it. Try to enjoy yourself, especially during all of the first week fun stuff.
Strength and Sunshine says
I got tons of doctor documentation and letters, but disability really didn’t care much. I asked about even going into sophomore housing, but they just won’t allow it.
I just got into contact with my official roommates last week and they seem super sweet, so I have hope!
lilmissfitnessfreak says
Aww that’s really unfortunate! I hope for your sake that things get a bit better but it’s great that your roomies seem nice!
Strength and Sunshine says
Thanks girl! Those roommates were only for orientation! I haven’t met my real ones in person yet 😉
mommyrunsit says
I was excited but also terrified about starting college. It was 20+ years ago (yikes) but I still remember those first few hours after my parents left and I was alone in my dorm room. But…that first pre-freshman week turned out to be one of the best, most fun times of my life. You have some amazing times in store for you…you’ve just gotta breathe your way through the scary stuff first. I’d go back and do it all again in a heartbeat. <3
Strength and Sunshine says
I can’t even imagine that first night alone, knowing my family is miles away! But I know, I just have to embrace it and know that EVERYONE gets through it and most are pretty successful too 😉 Thanks love XOXO
Running for Berries says
My school has a fridge in the dining hall with gluten free and vegetarian meals, they are pre cooked, put on a plate and plastic wrapped. There are also gf bread, oats, condiments, donuts, cookies, bagels etc in there too. I eat the fish meals out of that fridge, you just pop it in the gf microwave. Special section of chex cereal too! This is all new in the last two years
Strength and Sunshine says
First of all we don’t have normal dining hall. Second I don’t eat much processed food. Third I also have a soy allergy, don’t eat dairy, eggs, or meat. Thus My Celiac is compounded with even more hassles!
Sarah Grace FFH says
As scary as it might seem, college really is some of the best years of your life! I’m actually on the opposite spectrum, freaking out about it being my senior year and only having one more year before the real world hits! Enjoy it while it lasts 🙂
xoxo Sarah Grace, Fresh Fit N Healthy.
Strength and Sunshine says
I have no doubt it will be a great life changing experience once things get settled and I know I’ll be safe and healthy!
GiGi Eats Celebrities says
Cold pancakes dunked into Dunkin’ Donuts iced coffee! YESSS 🙂
Strength and Sunshine says
I think you may have just solved all my problems! Hahaha! 😉
Jess says
As I was got out of my parents’ car the first day of freshman year, I said to my mom, “What the fuck am I getting myself into?”
“Your life,” she said.
Even though there were a lot of scary moments, for some reason, replaying that exchange made me feel better and gave meaning to all the “OMG wtf is happening” feelings.
Strength and Sunshine says
Those are some wise words 😉 Each day we get older the more life becomes more “real”!
Kristy @ Southern In-Law says
What on earth is “fake” chicken – that sounds awful! Haha
Are you able to just make your own food at college? Like using microwaves and a mini fridge in your room? I have given up on others cooking for me as I have so many allergies so I just make everything myself! (Or I have two gf friends who know about all of my other allergies and can cook for me!)
Strength and Sunshine says
Well there is only one meal plan and over half the money must be spent in the dining Hall. Which isn’t fair and when we complained they didn’t budge but I need to keep pleading my case on that so I have have more dollers go to my own shopping.
vegetarianmammac says
That coffee looked yum! Now am thirsty for an iced coffee LOL
Strength and Sunshine says
It really does quench the thirst!
eatsandexercisebyamber says
Rebecca, I am SO SO sorry about your awful experience. As we have discussed, I luckily went to college as a non Celiac, and my diagnosis didn’t come until I could cook for myself my Junior Year, but any time there was a planned “school function/event/etc.” it was very stressful and frustrating. I was served bread on my plate at my Senior Formal, they thought by Celiac I meant vegetarian…YEAH NOT THE SAME, and that happened EVEN AFTER I talked to the head chef on multiple occasions. My BEST advice is to STAY STRONG, STAY PERSISTENT, AND EXPECT PEOPLE TO BE IGNORANT/MAKE MISTAKES. And by that, I mean always come prepared with a back up bar/snack/etc. just in case, and continue to fight for yourself and your needs. You are your own best advocate, and people will need reminding, so remind thema million times if you have to. Take each day as it comes, each challenge, one at a time. I am proud of you, stay strong! I am always only an email away love <3 xoxo
Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you so much Amber! XOXO I think it is the fact that it was a function/event that is was so messed up. Their communication was just so off! Hopefully when I actually meet with the head chef in the dining hall that is actually in the dorm I was finally placed in, things will be able to get worked out more smoothly.
We allergy suffers have to stay so vigilant. It is not fair, but out health is so important and it can not be compromised. I really want to find all the food allergy suffers on campus and start a group! There isn’t one and there obviously needs to be one so we can advocate for each other!
Kris says
Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry to hear about your bad experiences :'( I wholeheartedly agree with what many people have been saying–don’t start dreading the school year based on what happened during orientation. Orientation is a weird limbo time, since many of the university staff are off for the summer and many of the campus services (dining included) have thus been reduced. I’ve got a feeling that, once the semester starts, communication with the dining hall staff will significantly improve. Still, I’m so sorry for what you had to go through! It really is unacceptable.
Since I am both vegan and gluten-free, I’ve had a lot of experience dealing with campus dining. The most important thing I’ve learned is that, when dealing with any sort of dietary restriction, you can’t rely on the dining hall to be completely sufficient to meet your needs. I typically bring a small bag into the cafeteria with me with stuff that I can use to ‘supplement’ my meals: a jar of tahini or an avocado (it’s tough to get adequate fats from GF vegan dining hall food), a tupperware container of brown rice or quinoa, even a roasted sweet potato. That way, I can create a satisfying meal out of the sometimes less-than-satisfying cafeteria options. (Sweet potatoes saved me this year. I would wrap them in aluminum foil and just throw them into the dorm oven for an hour, and voila! Much easier to prepare than a cooked grain. Sometimes, there just isn’t time in the day to hang out for 45 minutes in the dorm kitchen waiting for brown rice to cook.)
I’m quite shy, and was not at all one of those super-excited freshman. I’m a junior now, and I still don’t feel entirely comfortable socially on campus. Ah well, I’ll get there eventually (I hope!).
My favorite coffee place? This little coffeeshop in NYC, MudSpot. Best coffee I have EVER tasted.
Have a great day, love! xoxo
Strength and Sunshine says
That’s what I plan on doing! Bringing my own “additions” and spices! and loading them on! There is no way I can eat the bland minimal stuff they have for me. I wouldn’t survive. I am a huge volume eater during dinner so I need my plate to be loaded! Haha!
I think as long as you make a small group of friends everything is easier! I will never be an extrovert with tons of friends! I can only handle so much, haha, it is totally fine to be shy too 😉
If I ever brave NYC again, I will have to check that place out!
XOXO
lacy davis says
awwww. I think the trick is you just have to figure out a way to keep cooking for yourself. I can’t believe how awful that sounded!
Strength and Sunshine says
Thankfully I will have the kitchen in my new dorm now, but I still only have a certain amount of money that I can spend on outside the “dining services” for food. Plus…time to cook…
Erin (@girlgoneveggie) says
Oh no! I hope they get their food act together!
Strength and Sunshine says
Me too! Haha 😛 I just have to keep fighting for my case!
torikom20 says
Aw I’m sorry to hear about your less than stellar experience, but don’t worry, things can only get better from there! And I was definitely excited but still just as nervous…and you’re right, anyone who says that they’re not nervous at all is totally bluffing! Hugs your way 🙂
Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you 😉 XOXO Another upside is I have to remember I won’t have to stay in that terrible dorm they put us all in for orientation!
Kaila @healthyhelperblog! says
I am sorry the weekend didn’t go well! All I can say is try to go out and have fun! You have to put yourself out there and go outside of your comfort zone to have a good college experience. So try to take part in the those fun activities and don’t worry so much about sleep and routine at this point. It’s about bonding with your new classmates and finding your niche! I know it may seem overwhelming right now, but you’ll be able to handle this! It’s just about being more flexible and breaking free from rigidity! 🙂
Strength and Sunshine says
I’m excited about all the new people, but the whole medical thing is what has me down and really needs to get worked out before I am fully embrace everything else. 🙁 I won’t be able to do anything if my health is compromised!
Amanda @ .running with spoons. says
Sorry to hear about the less-than-ideal orientation experience, but actual college life is a lot different, and it helps when you’ve had some time to settle, find your routine, and get used to the new experiences 🙂
Strength and Sunshine says
As long as I don’t starve to death….I think it will be good! Haha, until things get worked out though….calming down is hard!
Lisa @ SweetPeaSnacks says
Don’t let your orientation experience get you too down. My freshman orientation was horrible – it was pouring rain and we had to traipse across campus, then sit in freezing cold air conditioned buildings. Once you actually move in and get settled, it will be an awesome experience! I was super nervous going into my freshman year (I was sooo shy!), but I think that’ s totally normal. Anyone who says they’re not nervous at all is probably just too nervous to admit they’re nervous, if that makes sense? 😀
Strength and Sunshine says
I am sympathize with the freezing buildings! Yes DC summers are hot, but the buildings are -10000 degrees!
I am so shy too, but I think I did a pretty good job, considering the circumstances, with making some new friends! I am proud of myself, haha!
And it makes perfect sense 😉 There is no way you can’t be nervous!
Danielle Omar says
Welcome to the DC area! I think you will love it here!
Strength and Sunshine says
DC is the best city out there, I do know that!
jessielovestorun says
Oh hunnie, I am so sorry you had such a bad experience with dining during your stay. What a shame. I’m sure things will be much easier once the school year starts. Also, don’t be so upset that you weren’t able to try out the yoga studios while you were there. Look at it like you’ll be living there in no time & will have plenty of time. Take in the good & leave out the negatives 🙂
Strength and Sunshine says
I know I need to realize that everything just seems so overwhelming right now since I really don’t know what to expect. I need to take each day as it comes and try to just stay calm and positive!