Texas State University is a school that seems to be constantly growing and getting bigger. With a total enrollment of over 36 thousand this past year, how do you find those couple of people who will welcome you and give you that place that can be your home away from home?

My core classes have an average of over 100 students. With classes that large, it's hard not to feel like just another number. Where do you fit in a place that big, how do you get noticed?

For me, it was my major. In a school so large, theater majors are really lucky. We have a home. That big round building at the corner of campus with a moat around it is a safe haven for many of us. It's where we walk in and know that there will be someone to talk to, someone we know, or even just a comfy chair to relax in. Our core classes may be huge but our major specific are much more personal and small. I haven't walked into a class and not known someone since freshman year beginning acting. Professors know you, everyone knows everyone and it feels like a small community within a huge department. Theatre majors know that we have a place there and it's where we spend all our time anyway in between class, rehearsals, shop and everything being a theater major involves, it's home for us. If we're being honest, many of us spend more time there than at our own home.

I'm so lucky to be a theater major. I'm so glad I chose this school. Going into my freshman year, I was terrified about how I was going to make friends at a place so large? Well, it was a lot simpler than it seemed. Just walking into the theater you feel welcomed. I was immediately greeted by a friendly sophomore who started asking me questions about myself and made me feel at ease. This is the feeling all around; the department makes you feel like the school isn't as huge and you can have peace of mind knowing that there are people who care for you in our department.

It doesn't end with college either. With so many creative minds in one small space, lots of networking happens. I know that going out into the professional world after college, I have a group to support me and fall back on. I know that the Texas State theater department is one that's nationally recognized. We are the next generation of theater, the trendsetters and the artists of tomorrow. As terrifying as all that sound, I am proud to carry the Texas State name with me knowing that it's where I grew as an artist and grew into the person that I am.

So thank you to the Texas State theater department for finding me a home. Thank you for making me feel welcome when I was terrified. Thank you for showing me what true friendships can be and showing me what it means to belong.