Welcome Week at Baylor is a great time for the freshmen to make new friends and to begin the process of making Baylor their second home. Although Welcome Week is designed for the freshmen to be adjusted to the college life, upperclassmen also learn a great deal.

1. Community

During Welcome Week training, I learned so much about how to make the Baylor experience great for the class of 2020. I didn't realize all of the work that went into making a great Welcome Week leader. We don't just hand out the programs and tell leaders to improvise however they want. Baylor wants to make sure that leaders are fully equipped to deal with any challenges that may come up during Welcome Week. The sense of community I felt while preparing to serve as a leader gave me a renewed sense of pride of being a part of the Baylor family. We do truly care about the new freshman class.

2. Reconnecting as a Baylor Bear

Another thing that I have realized these last few days is that participating in the Welcome Week events helps even upperclassmen connect to their inner Baylor Bear. I think my initial excitement of coming to Baylor was buried somewhere within me, but going to all of the Welcome Week events has renewed my feelings of pride and excitement to be a Bear. Seeing my Welcome Week group reminds me of me from exactly a year ago. I was also a freshman who was feeling anxious and excited to start a new chapter in my life. Everything felt new and fresh. I can almost remember the same feeling of butterflies as I bonded with my Welcome Week group.

3. Service

The final thing I learned was how powerful the call to serve can be. I felt that I was called to be a Welcome Week leader. I had such a good experience when I was a freshman that I knew I had to give back and serve as a leader. Hundreds of leaders dedicated their time for the entirety of last week to serve the class of 2020. I appreciate every single one of my fellow leaders because I know that what we accomplish during Welcome Week will not be possible if it weren't for all of the leaders. I also feel gratitude towards my previous Welcome Week leaders who dedicated their time to help me in my first few days on campus. All of those involved with making Welcome Week happen were all called to serve. They were called to volunteer their time for others. I think it's such a powerful thing to have so many of us all join together under a common goal.

Welcome Week has taught me so much about being a community, being a leader, and most importantly--being a Baylor Bear.

Thank you Baylor for this experience.