Dear Baylor class of 2021,

Take a deep breath. I promise, everything’s going to be okay.

I was in your shoes one year ago. The anxiety of high school graduation, the fear of saying goodbye to your best friends, and the worry if you chose the right college are all very real and understandable emotions during April of your senior year. I totally get it, because I felt all of it.

Now I’m here to tell you that all of the fear and worry is absolutely unnecessary. Why?

Because you chose Baylor.

You chose Baylor for a reason. Maybe you fell in love with the academic programs, or perhaps you couldn’t say no to the gorgeous campus. You could have enrolled because of the incredible religious aspects of the Christian university, or even because your parents graduated from Baylor. All of these are valid reasons for picking the best college in the world. There is a reason that initially pulled you to Baylor, so don’t start to have feelings of doubt now, because Baylor is meant to be your home.

I'll admit, it’s going to be scary at the end of the summer packing away your childhood home and hugging your parents goodbye. But let me tell you this: if I could do it, you can do it, too. My mom is my absolute best friend. There was never a moment growing up that I didn’t tell my mom everything or go shopping with her or have her shoulder to cry on. I, the biggest baby in the world, am having the best time of my life in college. I moved to a different state, completely started over, and have never regretted choosing Baylor as my home.

Your friends might be choosing completely different routes. Many are choosing the state university, others are moving far away, and some are staying at home to attend community college. Everyone has their own destiny. Don’t compare your decision to your friends’ because you have to follow your own life. You’ll stay in touch with your old friends, but think about how many new people with different cultures and backgrounds that you’ll meet in the fall at Baylor. Think about the possibility of joining a fraternity or sorority and gaining hundreds of close friends. Consider joining a club or sports team and bonding over similar interests. Your high school friends will always have a spot in your heart, but you’re only eighteen-years-old, and you have an entire life to meet new and exciting people. Don’t cling onto the past, because your future Baylor bears are going to be so happy to meet you.

You might be having the time of your life in high school, or you couldn’t be more ready to grab that diploma and never look back. Either way, college is the time to be the person you’ve always wanted to be. As scary as it sounds, you’re an adult now. You can do what you want to do, you can try new things, and you can conquer your fears. It is going to be the biggest change in your life thus far. Thankfully, Baylor is going to make this transition so incredibly rewarding.

Look forward to running the Baylor Line before every home football game. Anticipate meeting your new best friend right down the hall in your dorm. Get ready to truly discover what you’re meant to do in the world. You’ll realize the true meaning of tradition and experience the true presence of God around you. Don’t stress about everything that could go wrong in college. Instead, truly look forward to having the time of your life.

Everyone has a different story. Everyone chose Baylor for a different reason, and everyone falls in love with Baylor for a different reason. I can’t tell you how your story is going to unfold. However, I can tell you this: I have not written a new chapter of my life; I have written an entire book. I am not just passing my classes; I am excelling. I’m not only learning new things; I am understanding them. I have not only met a lot of people; I have met my best friends for life.

Baylor has exceeded all of my expectations. Ignore the headlines and ignore the negative drama that the media has placed on Baylor. I am a girl under 5 feet tall, and I feel safer than ever at this university. Baylor makes me feel confident, intelligent, and honestly truly happy.

So, don’t worry, kiddo. You’ll be a bear sooner than you realize. Start practicing your sic 'ems, because the best times of your life are only a few months away.

I can't wait to see you, class of 2021!

Sincerely,

A bear from the class of 2020