Dear Nervous NDMU Freshmen,

I know you guys are scared, excited and nervous for your new experience. You are probably juggling inner thoughts and feelings on if you will make friends, how it will be like on campus and most importantly, if you would truly succeed. I know what that is like because I am an NDMU freshman, too, and for what I know, all I can feel is comfort and home.

Last Sunday, I was nervously packing quickly because I had just come from a vacation to Arizona and only had two hours to get ready. I did not know what to expect and, quite frankly, did not have just one emotion to describe it. I had only hoped that I would be accepted into the community and I quickly found out that I was. I quickly found out that I was home.

My Trailblazer leader, Ms. Tiffany Lathan Smith, and my adviser, Ms. Jessie Sell, helped me understand that they would make sure I was extremely well cared for by them and that I was prepared for whatever the week would throw at me. As soon as I arrived, Ms. Sell had a care package waiting for me filled with school supplies and yummy treats. Ms. Smith also ordered us extremely delicious meals and, unknowingly, she was going to do this every day this week.

The campus and classes were just as good as I thought they were going to be. I would even go as far to say that it helped me be able to fall in love with NDMU again. Meletia Hall is beautiful with extremely nice and spacey rooms, along with beautiful living rooms for those who want to watch TV. When I would leave the campus to arrive to my classes, it felt like I had just encountered what my personal ideal of heaven was-- every day, the sun would shine with a comfortable breeze in the air. The buildings looked extremely beautiful and everything was bliss. I had originally thought that it would be difficult to get from my dorm to class, but I quickly found out that it only takes ten minutes to get to Knott from Meletia, even if I walked slowly.

They helped me fall in love, but ultimately, it was the other students here that made it complete. Coming from a lonely high school of only 200 girls, I had hoped to be able to have a different experience, and quickly, I did. All the girls I have met so far have made me feel nothing but peacefully happy. They have all been extremely accepting, open and friendly, and always ready for positive days. I know that if I could choose all over again, I would choose Notre Dame of Maryland in a heartbeat.

It is just the beginning and I am super ready for more. I am excited to see everyone move in and to meet each and every one of you. You can fully be yourself here and you will be heard. NDMU will make you feel safe and know you will succeed with everything that you wish to do. You will feel at home when you walk through those doors. It will be just as you imagined, even better, making you feel as if you were in a fairytale. When you are here, you are truly home, and when you are here, you will always be truly accepted.