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Now, imagine hundreds of adolescents, all in one place, at one time.
In a little more than a week, Kelly Duncan will get to experience that once again, when Millersville University welcomes its first-year students to campus, ready for their initial taste of college classes and community living.
"We will have about 1,600 to 1,700 new and transfer students on campus," said Duncan, assistant director of student programs at Millersville.
The students will be moving into dorm rooms, meeting classmates and faculty, and trying to get comfortable with the university environment.
"We make sure to introduce them to the social and academic environment they will encounter, especially once the rest of the student population arrives," said the focused and personable administrator.
It's Duncan's job to try to ensure that students accepted into the university begin their college experience on a positive note by participating in a five-day mandatory orientation. (The program starts Tuesday, Aug. 25; classes begin the following Monday.)
"My primary responsibility is the fall orientation program," she said. "It's an exciting time, but I can get anxious."
Duncan has been with the student programs office for two years, making sure the students develop a strong sense of community and providing an introduction to college life.
The Western New England College graduate, who earned a master's degree from University of Connecticut, grew up in Massachusetts and today works with clubs and campus organizations registered with her office.
"We train faculty members on how to work and advise students," she said. "I have sessions with them at the beginning of the semester about rules and regulations, funding and how to use the university handbook."
Parents also play an integral role in the transition of their sons and daughters to college life, and Duncan makes sure they are part of the process.
"I simply try to really look at parents as partners," Duncan said. "They want the best for their children; we want the best for them, too. Sometimes they have valuable information that we need, and we have information that they want."
The Parent and Family Orientation Program, through interactive presentations and discussion, gives parents the opportunity to become familiar with a variety of services and resources on campus.
But it is not all about business.
"A couple of years ago, we did a murder mystery dinner for them," Duncan said. "We found a theater group that came to campus and incorporated facts about the university into their act and then had the audience of parents and students figure out the murder mystery.
"We certainly have not had flawless orientations in the past two years but it's always fun."
Two years ago, the orientation leaders enjoyed one of the icebreaker activities so much that they continued to do it everywhere they went.
"It's called 'Pony,' and they get into a circle and dance around while singing a very loud, very energetic song," Duncan said. "They started 'ponying' everywhere we went — especially when I took them on a tour of Lancaster city. I'll never forget walking out of a restaurant and seeing 60 orientation leaders 'ponying' on the streets of Lancaster."
Duncan said the thing she likes most about her job is the students themselves.
"I get to work with a variety of students and watch them grow through the process," she said.
"This year, I have 58 orientation leaders," she said. "These are kids who I train in the spring, but that is more of a time for them to get to know each other."
The 58 students will return to campus in a few days to assist Duncan in leading all the activities planned for orientation week.
How does she handle the stress of the job?
"At times I find that it is a lot of work and I take it home with me, if not physically at least mentally," Duncan said. "But I talk with others in my office and with former classmates who are doing the same job in other parts of the country to get feedback."
Duncan said having that support system makes the job easier.
"One lesson I have learned is not to take things too personally or seriously," she said.
"When things don't go as you have planned, just go with it. You have to adapt."
E-mail: ebetancourt@lnpnews.com
