By Sarah Healy, ILS Coordinator CLE Rockville

Throughout our lives we experience a variety of “firsts,” some big and some small. New students at CLE experienced an abundance of “firsts” this past month. Just to name a few: they started the first day of classes, the first day meeting their tutors and instructors, and the first day living in a new apartment.

These first days are filled with a range of emotions. There’s the uneasy feeling of not knowing anyone and the uncomfortable introductions that follow. The confusion of not knowing what to do or where to go. But there is also the excitement of starting something new, of gaining your independence, and living on your own. Jules, new to CLE Rockville, said she was “thrilled” to learn that she would be living on her own, and that her first day felt like a “breath of fresh air.” Jules, eager to have the space to learn and grow on her own, definitely felt ready when the first day came.

On move-in day, along with sense of excitement and curiosity, there is also a lot to get done. The day can become busy and fast paced. Students first come to the center for orientation, to meet staff members and fellow students.

We support this transition by equipping students with the tools and information they need, not only for living in the apartments but also for the various domains of CLE.

For Jules, orientation day was a mix of excitement and stress. Moving in for her was busy, she explained that there was a lot happening. However, she had the help of her mom and her new roommate Janie, a student who has already lived at the apartments. I had the chance to witness the comradery as Janie, current students, and her family came together to help move Jules in. It made me so proud to see our students come together and pitch in. As Jules put it, “everyone was welcoming and helpful on my first day.”

During the first few days students also adjust to the presence of staff members in their apartment. I asked Jules if it felt weird to have someone in her space each morning and during the evenings for ILS. Jules surprised me and said that she actually liked it. Jules has also enjoyed working together with the ILS crew to learn skills that she has not had the opportunity to learn and be exposed to before moving into the apartments, and to have someone other than her mom reminding her to take her medicine and do her chores.

First days are exciting, busy, confusing, and a whirlwind of emotions. However, students do not have to face it alone. We are lucky that we get to spend the entire day together getting to know each other and supporting this transition. As a member of the ILS team I feel grateful to be a part of this first experience and to see our students take a huge step towards their independence.