1. Make a bucket list. I was brainstorming mine before I was
even accepted into the college program. Just pick 10 to 15 things you would
like to do while you’re here. Make it challenging, and WRITE IT DOWN. Post your
list. Share your list. Accomplish it with friends. You don’t have to complete
everything on your list, but it’s amazing how having a list can really
encourage you to get things done while you’re out here and make the most of
your program.
2. Go and see La Nouba. It is an absolutely fantastic Cirque
du Soleil show, pure magic. Do it while you have a discount (for my program,
the discount was applicable until June 22), I saved 50% when I went. Go early
in your program, if you love it, go again.
3. Don’t buy your lunch at work. Every time I see someone
pay for something while they’re working, my heart breaks a little. Spend that
money on fun things on your days off and let work be a place where you make
money, not spend it. Seven dollars might buy you a sandwich for your lunch
break, but you know what else seven dollars buys you? A loaf of bread, peanut
butter, jam, and two weeks’ worth of lunches.
4. Blog or journal (or both!) about your college program
experience. It goes by quickly and you’re going to want to remember it. I
personally do both; I blog to keep my friends and family updated, and journal
to write all of the things I am not allowed to post on my blog. You can write
in your journal or blog, or just do photos, drawings, etc., whatever works for
you.
5. Go to housing events. Disney charges every college
program student $100.00 to run these programs, so go to grocery bingo and
welcome events, and get your money’s worth. There is always free food and lots
of giveaways.
6. Take advantage of your discounts. When else will you get
to go to Disney for free? Answer: never.
7. Do your grocery shopping on the days you’re working. The
bus schedules are inconvenient, but make it happen.
During the week, prepare
your list. Walmart is a black hole that can suck you in for hours and make you
spend all your money then send you home and leave you wondering, “Why do I need
six boxes of cereal for the remaining two months of program again?” Do your
shopping quickly, before work or after, so you can spend your days doing
something worthwhile, like riding Tower of Terror eight times in a row.
8. Don’t get sick. Well, actually, just do your best to
avoid it. It’s pretty much inevitable that it’s going to happen. You’re
surrounded by unfamiliar people in an unfamiliar place. I spent ten days where
I looked and felt absolutely disgusting. It was terrible. Make sure you get
lots of sleep, drink lots of water, and take your vitamins. It sounds silly,
but getting sick means not feeling up to going to Magic Kingdom, and that is
beyond tragic.
9. Have something to look forward to when it’s all over. In
order to avoid PDD (Post-Disney Depression), have plans for the weeks after
your Disney program that you can look forward to. This helps you transition
back to real life better than coming home and worrying about school, job
hunting, etc. For instance, when my program finishes, my family is going to be
in Orlando for a Disney/Universal vacation, then I get to go home and
coordinate at the best summer camp in the world, and finally, I get to go back to
my job as an R.A. at my university, which I love more than anything. I’ll be
sad to leave Disney, but am definitely excited for the future, too.
10. Make friends from all over the world. It’s so rare to
have the chance to work with people from all over, but thanks to Disney, I’ll
always have a place to stay with friends if ever I visit the U.S., Mexico,
China or France. Beyond wonderful.
11. Practice saying yes. Being here can be so tiring, you’re
busy and overwhelmed most of the time, but it’s important to enjoy it, too.
Take some time to relax, sure, but remember that you’re program is short, and
you can watch cat videos on YouTube while you’re procrastinating at school next
year.
12. Make friends with people who have cars. Then, make them
your best friends. I’m kidding (sort of), but it’s really wonderful to get a
ride home sometimes. Don’t take it for granted. Because of bus schedules, it’s
not unusual for it to take an hour and a half to get home to Vista, even though
it’s only 15 minutes from Hollywood Studios. I have a few people who are kind
enough to drive me home once in a while, and it is just heaven. (Alternatively,
if you want to be really popular, have a car. That’s tip #12.5)
13. Don’t get termed. People can get really stupid here,
just like anywhere else. Disney will not hesitate to fire you if you act out of
line(College program participants, in particular. Think about it, we’re only
here for such a short time, it makes us easily expendable). Disney is a really
big name to protect, so take pride in your work and have fun without being a
moron. (ex. don’t have alcohol if you’re under 21, don’t have alcohol in a
wellness apartment, don’t do drugs, etc. It’s really not that difficult)
14. Wear sunscreen. This is more of a note-to-self, than a
note-to-readers, but if you’re as pale as I am (which is doubtful), the sun is
going to kill your skin. Remember, thousands of people see you at your job. Do
you really want to keep hearing, “Wow, you have a sunburn!” all day long? No?
Then make sunscreen your best friend. Bonus: helps you avoid wrinkles and
cancer, not a bad deal,?
15. Embrace the magic. Don’t get jaded. Do everything you
can to enjoy your job. Let yourself still be excited when you see the castle.
Treasure it. Maybe you’ve been to Magic Kingdom too many times in one week, but
relish in the fact that you are able to do that.
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