When Andra Lim, of Orinda, Calif., heard her alarm clock at 4:25 a.m. on Saturday, she grabbed her laundry bag and headed to the basement of Jones Residental College.

She was determined to avoid the normal weekend laundry crowd of journalism cherubs at the National High School Institute. Waking up early was a small price to pay for empty washers and dryers.

At 4:30 a.m. Lim met with Leah Kennedy, of Dayton Nev., in the laundry room. They choose the early start time after overhearing other cherubs with similar plans.

“It was definitely a bonding experience, and something I’ll remember for a long time,” Lim said.

While waiting for their laundry to be done, Lim and Kennedy took pictures of themselves with various laundry products using a self-timer. Lim said they also talked but the conversation wasn’t very interesting because they were both tired.

Most cherubs dreaded the inevitable task of doing laundry, but the chore was a lesson in independence.

“Back home, my mom always does my laundry but now that I can wash my own clothes, I feel a stronger sense of independence,” Lim said.

Janani Webb, of Memphis, Tenn., and Leah Sheesley, of San Antonio, woke up at 5 a.m. the same day to discover the machines already occupied. But they still got their laundry done early. Sheesley fell asleep on top of the dryers. Webb slept on top of the folding table.

Rebecca Messinger, of Stow, Ohio, the oldest of four children, said she’s used to doing laundry at home. When other cherubs asked to wash some of their laundry in her load, Messinger said she didn’t mind.

“Once you wash someone’s underwear, you’re best friends for life,” Messinger said.

Krystin Arneson, of Overland Park, Kan., also found laundry was a way to make new friends.

Arneson said Matt Wong, of San Diego, Calif., had helped her with her suitcases the first day of the program but they had not talked until they met again in the laundry room. Since then they’ve continued to do their laundry together.

“I got to be friends with him over a 30 minute bright cycle,” Arneson said.