On August 20, my family packed up the car and made the drive to Winston-Salem to move me into the dorms at my dream school, Salem College. Having toured my school quite a few times before applying and confirming my acceptance, I was excited to be starting a new adventure. I was comforted by the fact I had a somewhat familiar journey ahead of me -- since I am coming from an early college high school. It was overwhelming to unpack in a room (a little bit smaller than my room at home) with six people occupying the same space, since my amazing roommate was finishing moving in as well. Having my parents leave was fairly easy as well since I have been away from home quite a few times before.

I was in a semi-awe all through orientation, meeting my fellow Salem sisters and siblings, eating in the refectory for the first time and even when the upperclassmen started to move in. I was even fine when my class signed my school's honor code, sang the alma mater for the first time as a class and visited Sister Oesterlein (Salem College's first teacher). It was all so touching, but it just felt so surreal, like I was just going to be here for a short time. It finally hit the night of opening convocation, a special tradition here at Salem.

The night before classes start, we have a tradition to "officially" start the school year by having all of the classes gather in designated areas and process to one of the auditoriums on campus. During the procession, the first year class (Class of 2020 in the house!) walks past the sophomores, juniors and seniors, all of whom welcome us into campus and to the start of the school year and about how they love us. The feeling of sisterhood, siblinghood and comradery was so strong -- and this was just a buildup of what was to come.

After passing all of the classes, we made our way into the auditorium and were given a candle and a program. The room started to fill up with the sophomores and juniors. Finally, the school's organ instructor came out and started to play the intercession; the faculty, staff and seniors all arrived in their caps and gowns. Hearing all of the opening addresses finally made it start to click -- I am finally in college.

There were two specific traditions from opening convocation that really drove this home for my. The first was when President Sterritt officially opened the 2016-2017 school year and it finally hit. I was not just touring again or staying away from home for an extended period of time. I was actually home at my dream school.

The second was a tradition that Misbah, our Student Government President introduced. Next to the podium on the stage, there was a lit candle. Misbah explained that the light of this candle represented the Salem spirit and that the flame of the spirit was going to be shared with all of us to light the candles we each received as we walked in. Sharing the flame with my fellow Salem Sisters was an experience I could not even begin to find the right words to describe. Once everyone had received the flame, we started to sing the alma mater.

As a first year class, we had just heard the alma mater for the first time the night before. But singing it in the soft candlelight with all of the professors, faculty and my sisters and siblings.. That is what made everything hit for me. I am fortunate enough to be going to my dream school, in an environment that is perfect for me, and with traditions that are deeply ingrained in the school. I knew I was with my family and that I was home.