The other day, I was cleaning out my closet. The closet in my room usually becomes home to miscellaneous trinkets that I find difficult to let go of, as a result it becomes a wasteland of clutter. So as I was cleaning it out, I came across several things that made me stop in my tracks to reminisce. One of those things was the orientation packet I was given when I first arrived at school. A million memories began to flood my heart, and I couldn't help but smile.
It was crazy that I had needed a bus transit map, for this time last year I had never used public transportation before. I remembered how overwhelming it was to look at the large booklet to help me register for my first college classes. I also remembered how it felt to know I was getting the opportunity to go to the coolest school ever.
At that point, I remembered just how exciting and nerve-wracking being a new college freshman is. It feels like forever ago that I was patiently awaiting the day I would move into my freshman dorm and begin a life that was completely foreign to me. I could not comprehend living in a city as cool as Milwaukee, but I soon would make it my home.
I realized that the incoming Class of 2020 has no clue of all the awesomeness that is about to unfold before them.
As I can understand that a lot of the awesomeness you have to find for yourself, there are a few things that I want you Marquette freshmen to be prepared for.
- The feeling you get when you get the key to your room.
- The feeling you get when you realize you are not just visiting anymore.
- The feeling you get when you yell, “We are Marquette,” for the first time.
- The feeling you get when you ace your first test.
- The feeling you get when you meet people who are just like you.
- The feeling you get when you realize you have found your home away from home.
Part of me will always miss the exhilaration of freshman year of college, when everything is so new and exciting. But I am so excited for all of the new experiences and opportunities to come. And now it is someone else’s turn to experiences the awesomeness; to make their college experience their own.
For all those attending their first year of school in the fall, I can hardly wait for you to face all the tremendous experiences to come.
And for all of you Marquette freshmen, welcome to the family.
