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seminary is approaching and theres so much anxiety, stress, nervousness….anyone have any good tips/advice 4 the upcoming yr in e”y? anyone in the same boat?
Everyone is in the same boat.
You will fit in, like everybody else. You will be anxious, like everybody else. You will be happy and enjoy it, like everybody else.
Ooh! How can I forget my days in sem.
pba? you were in sem too?
um pba just wondering…. why are you always the first to jump in on these seminary threads? Its just kinda weird but ok….
and yes def know the anxiety, stress, and nervousness! we’re all in the same boat here with you! Right now I feel as if only a miracle will get me packed and on that plane! Good luck with your prep! hope its going smoother than mine! 😉
C’mon, bein. He’s been to BJJJJJJJJJJJ.
Firstly, a good attitude is a MUST. I dont know what sort of seminary you are going to, but be prepared to take EVERYTHING with a smile. You probably will need some time ot adjust, and there will always be many girls who will complain about everyone and everything. Do yourself a favor and consciously plan to look for the best in your situation.
It also helps to be super friendly for the first few days. Be the one to introduce yourself–to girls and staff. Be the one to help out another girl who lost her luggage/forgot to pack something/ needs a shoulder to cry on. First impressions are important, you want everyone to perceive you as sweet and friendly, and not immediately write you off as “not for me” (thats what girls tend to do, but you shouldnt do that!) And the staff will absolutely love it =)
Also, to make the most of your experience, you have to have the proper mindset. You probably won’t feel a sudden rush of emotu=ion everytime you go to the kotel. You need to for the connection.
Every girl that comes is feeling a bit lost, even the girl with a hundred friends and a blackberry that never stops buzzing. Just offer a smile and kind word, and you will be loved, and well taken care of.
Good luck =) Israel is a beautiful, wonderful place, and seminary is ayear to learn a lot about yourself!
Its totally normal to be anxious and nervous and excited. Like RFS said – a good attitude is a must and do everythign with a Smile and be the one to introduce yourself instead of wating for others to come to you – I know i reiterated what RFS said but it is so true so i am just stressing it.After a month you will feel settled and have a Chevrah of friends. Hatzlocho and have a wonderful year or 2 or 3 in Eretz Yisroel. Enjoy the ruchnius and the gashmius and be successful.
Sem is a wonderful year. It may be your only time to actually live in Israel so take advantage and try to see as much of the country as possible. Don’t just go to your aunt or old neighbor in Ramat Eshkol or Ramat Beit Shemesh evey week. If you are going with friends thats great but try to make new friends as soon as possible – don’t lean on your old ones as a security blanket. Have a good attititude and be flexible and you will have a great year!
ya but this good attitude is a lot easier said then done! Especially when you are so nervous!
Candy 613 – to ease the nerves the pointers are:
1) Have a good attitude
2) Take everything and do everythign with a smile
3) Be first to initiate the introduction rather than waiting for people to come to you.
4) Be flexible
Until you actually arrive at Sem, yes, one will be nervous and excited and not much one can do about that. But ince one arrives at Sem, these are some pointers to ease the nerves and the transition.
Not really. your gut reaction might be, ‘Oh no…what did i get myself into!” (Hopefully that won’t be the case), but you can then (if need be) force yourself, challenge yourself, to find the good in the situation. Example, you think (what I thought), “Right now this dorm looks so unfamiliar, and i will get lost what will all the staircases and hallways…but in three weeks, or a month, this will be home to me!” It becomes a whole lot easier to deal with!
What i am trying to say is even if you first think “Helllp…” what comes next is what will shape your year. Will you continue to be upset, or will you change your perspective, and proactively find the good. Just because at first you were upset/annoyed etc, doesn’t mean you can’t change your attitude immediately afterwards.
And remember–no one likes to be friends with a grouch.
ya thanx that’s true idk i’m just not so into this whole deal. I just hope I like it a little bit when I get there.
Candy 613 – “your not so into this whole deal” – Noone forced you to go to Sem……It’s not mandatory. But it is a wonderful experience.
Keep in mind, it’s not ALL about classes. It’s also about friends, family, and learning to love “our” country. So take advantage of those fun parts of your year =) best of luck to you!
ya it isn’t mandatory, but where I am from there is almost a pressure to go to Israel for seminary. I sometimes think if a girl would do better in a sem in the states? or not going at all? I never understood why she needs to stick out like a soar thumb, and have everyone wondering what’s wrong, and why she isn’t going. I personally would probably have gone in any case, but of course I dont know what i’m getting myself into, so I’m going not so excited, but i’m sure i’ll love it when I get there!
I’m not one who did what “everyone else” does… I broke all the “norms”– I went to a different seminary than “everyone else,” I went back for shana bet which is unheard of in my city, and sure, I had people talking. But let them talk =)
That’s not your problem though, because it seems like you ARE doing what’s expected.
So try to make your experience unique, not just the typical “AMAZING!!!OMG!!” year that “everyone else” has.
Actually even though I am going to seminary just like what is expected, I am going to a different type of seminary, which is more of a mix, and not the typical for my school! I cannot tell you about the slack and the comments people have said. It’s so stupid! At first it really bothered me, but now I kinda realize that this place is amazing, and it is the best place for me! Also its not like I only am going because dont have anywhere else. I got into the other place I wanted to go to which is a bit more typical and it is almost unheard of to be accepted and say no, but I think at least hope I did the right thing. But I think that girls end up loving whichever sem they end up in so hopefully all will go well!
You’re right about loving whichever seminary they end up in.
Good for you!
Best of luck
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