After an exhilarating four months filled with nerve-wracking football games and enough ice cream to last a lifetime, my first semester at Penn State has officially come to a close. I cannot express my love for this school enough. When I first decided to attend Penn State University I didn’t really know what I was in for. People’s eyes would light up when I mentioned my plans for the fall and their faces would glow with envy. However, I never understood it. I am the first person from my family to go attend Penn State so I was dumbfounded when it came to what I should expect.

I would not trade my first semester at Penn State for the world. There is really nothing like running onto the field at Beaver Stadium because your school just beat the second-ranked team in the country. College is a truly liberating experience, but college at Penn State is even better. I am one of the luckiest college students of all to be able to call Penn State my home, and here is why.

1. The Football Games

There is absolutely nothing like jumping up and down with 107,000 Penn State fans, screaming what you believe are the lyrics to the opening of "The Lion King." Going to a Penn State football game at Beaver Stadium should be on everyones bucket list. It is one of those events you have to attend to understand.

2. The Nittany Lion

Also known as the sassiest mascot to strike college football, The Nittany Lion is by far one of my favorite aspects of sporting events. Have you seen him twirl his tail around his hand during a field goal attempt? It’s hilarious! Compared to The Nittany Lion, every other mascot in college sports seems subpar.

3. My Sorority

When you attend a big school like Penn State, Greek Life is kind of unavoidable. The campus is crawling with letters. I decided to make the bold decision of rushing in my first semester and honestly, I do not regret a second of it. Even though most of the time you are crammed into a small room at the end of August, it is all worth it when you find your home. I have met some amazing people through my sorority and I could not imagine Penn State without those friendships.

4. East Halls

They say East Halls is where you request to live if you really want the “Freshman Experience.” Going to a school 250 miles from everything I’ve ever known was scary and intimidating, however, thanks to Stone Hall I have met some of my best friends. So my advice to incoming freshman is to leave your door open, you never know who might stop in to say hi!

5. West Halls Cookies

Everyone knows where the best cookies on campus are: West Commons. I’m talking melt in your mouth, fall apart in your hands, just out of the oven cookies. On those crisp fall days in State College, there is nothing like a chocolate chip cookie from West.

6. The Creamery

Penn Stater or not, everyone knows how amazing the Berkey Creamery’s ice cream is. The cow to cone process has been perfected for over 150 years and has made the creamery quite famous. Honestly, there is no better feeling than walking back to East Halls after a tough exam and stopping for a creamy, delicious ice cream.

7. The Atmosphere

Anyone who has ever even visited State College knows what I am talking about. All of the residents love Penn State and love sharing their town with the students. I adore walking around State College and seeing all of the Nittany Lion pride. The entire community loves Penn State and we love State College as well.

8. The We Are Chant

Going hand in hand with the atmosphere of State College is the famous “We Are” chant. The first time you step into Beaver Stadium and hear the chant is bone chilling. Thousands of people standing together screaming “We Are” and thousands more answering back “Penn State”. This goes to show how strong of a community Penn State is. No matter where you are in the country, or even in the world, there will always be a Penn Stater ready to respond when they hear the words “We Are.”