Kairos 61. While I can’t say much about what happens on the retreat because it is absolutely TOP SECRET, I thought I would give my recommendations on how to have a good retreat. Here are a few details I feel as though I can share and use to prepare you for the awesomeness of Kairos.

1. 

   Spend time by yourself to grow! While it is important to grow with your classmates, growing by yourself is just as important, if not more. This retreat’s purpose is to grow in YOUR relationship with God, not in your relationships with your peers.

2. Be open! A lot of experiences may be new to you (they certainly were for me, and I’ve gone to Catholic school my whole life). It may be uncomfortable at first to be so open, but you will find at the end that you are more accepting of the experience as a whole.

3. 

   

   Make new friends! While it can seem hard to make new friends during senior year, it’s more than possible. I know it is possible because I did. By the end of the retreat, my group grew extremely close, and all celebrated our growth individually and as a group. I can gladly say that I walked out of Kairos with old friends and new friends.

4. Enter the retreat with a good mindset! Don’t have anything weighing you down going into Kairos. You’ll spend the whole time focusing on a bad situation rather than opening your heart to God. Come in with no ties to any negative feelings. Let go of all of your stress and worry, and be open to new possibilities.
5. Bring snacks (and snacks to share)! The food is alright (not my dad’s fine dining or anything but acceptable), but I am an extremely picky eater. There was one lunch where I had to make a potato bread peanut butter sandwich because I was not a fan of the lunch option (which I guess is just a me thing but alright).

   

While everyone is certainly going to have their own experience with Kairos, I totally recommend that all younger classwomen and seniors who haven’t gone go to this retreat. It is a unique experience that helps you grow and prepare for life in college.