I first stepped onto Marquette's campus for my very first tour in late March. The campus looked stunning, the students were lounging around getting nervous to tackle finals and I just knew it was the place for me. I never had an epiphany moment — I just knew. I knew I wanted to stay closer to home, I knew Marquette had many options for me to pursue and I just knew I would be happy there.

As my time evolved, Marquette has pushed me out of my comfort zone, surrounded me by some of the greatest friends I could ask for and challenged me not only spiritually and academically, but mentally and emotionally as well.

It was only a matter of time before I applied to be a tour guide. I loved the idea of convincing students to come to this beautiful campus that I called my home.

And now, I have come to compile a list of just five of the many things that tour guiding has taught me.

1. Open-minded: Giving tours to families all over the country means meeting people with different backgrounds, traditions, culture, attitudes, norms, etc. It is essential to be open-minded and to give that family the best Marquette experience possible.

2. Kindness: Every now and then, you'll take a family out that is absolutely rude or ignorant to Marquette's core values. In this case, I have learned to rise above and show kindness. Giving tours has taught me that even in the most extenuating circumstances, kindness and compassion goes a long way.

3. Rooted in the Jesuit values: Jesuit values are built on academic excellence and solidarity in serving others, and I have learned and experience these values through my encounters with families. I reiterate to families that a main factor in my decision to attend Marquette was because of the Jesuit values.

4. Hard work: Giving tours are fun, but they require mental preparedness, thought and pre-planning. My job is to sell Marquette to prospective families and to show each student that there is a major, a club, a service group or a dorm that they personally belong in.

5. Pride and unity: Most importantly, giving tours means being prideful of the school I am educated at and showing each prospective student and family all the wonderful programs and opportunities Marquette has to offer for all people. It's hyping up basketball games and study sessions at The Brew. It's showing tours that students truly rally around our colors as we bleed blue and gold together.

At the end of the day, nothing makes me happier than saying, "I'll be your Marquette Tour Guide."