Orientation Week: A Partner's Perspective

I knew that once Fall A and B started I could expect Zach to be very busy. I didn't realize it would start with orientation week, though! I think it was last Sunday when he forwarded me his schedule for the week and my jaw kinda dropped-- his days (and several evenings) would be filled with school events for the entire week. So Monday morning, all set in his Tuck t-shirt, he set off for his first day of orientation and I prepared not to see much of him for the next few days.

I was not left behind in the dust, though.  Tuck organized several events for us partners during orientation week as well. It wasn't quite as jam-packed as our students' schedules, but we still had plenty to keep us busy.  Throughout the week there were morning group runs, a yoga class, Tuck Puppies walks, a Murphy's happy hour, a pot-luck dinner with the Gourmet Club, small group dinners, and a couple Tiny Tuckie playdates. Some of the events were just for partners, but we were also invited to join the students for lunch and on Thursday we enjoyed a great dinner all together at the Dartmouth Skiway.  These events were a great way to meet and connect with the other partners. I especially enjoyed the playdates, meeting the other moms who live nearby and watching our kids play together.

A few of the Tiny Tuckies playing together at Monday's breakfast.

Thursday evening at Dartmouth Skiway.

Kind of a ridiculous picture of my toddler, but had to show off his "Tuck Tuck Goose" shirt. ; )

I was talking recently with another mom who lives in Sachem whose husband is a student at one of Dartmouth's other graduate programs. She mentioned how nice it is that Tuck does so much to involve spouses and families, because so few graduate programs make that effort.  This week felt like a preview, a taste of how busy Zach will be as classes start. That will certainly be a challenge for us as a family, but I am very comforted by how active the partners seem to be and knowing that I will certainly have enough on my plate and a great support network here.

As an aside, this week also made me feel very glad that we arrived to Hanover mid-summer, with plenty of time to settle in, get to know our surroundings, and enjoy life here before classes start and everyone gets so incredibly busy!  I highly suggest doing the same if at all possible.