Welcome Class of 2014!

At 2pm on June 12th, 2009 I walked down the aisle to… the rest of my life. Thrilled at the prospect of shortly becoming a William and Mary student and somewhat mortified of what the future would hold, I was ready to embark on a new adventure. When people asked what my plans were for next year I told them that I was getting ready to attend William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA. I was excited to see a new part of the country and meet new people. I planned on joining every club that was offered and becoming an avid fan of all of the varsity sports. To be honest, I had mixed emotions about going to a school that I knew very little about. I was scared, excited, curious, and everything else that goes along with trying something new.

At this point in time I didn’t have a facebook, so I left the task of stalking the William and Mary website up to my mom, who then took it as her job to keep me updated on the daily happenings of the college. I was intrigued by all of the intellectual articles and student blogs that were on the website, yet I feared that this unfamiliar college would never feel like home.  Every so often I would receive emails from the college about student banner and registering for a faculty advisor. (Freshmen, I know this can all be very confusing, but I promise it gets much easier. ) In high school I knew everyone in our little community, and a lot of people had watched me grow up as well. I never thought I would find a place like that where I felt so at home.

Now, one year later I have survived my first year of college. Well, lets rephrase that: I have LOVED EVERY SINGLE SECOND of my first year of college. (And I’m really not just saying that.) After attending the activities fair during orientation, I learned that it is really only possible to join five of the 4oo clubs offered at the school, and there are so many varsity sports that you have to pick and choose which games you want to go to. If I were to be totally honest with you, I thought that my life would be over after high school; I would never meet kids as cool as the ones that I knew all growing up. That was also a wrong assumption. Every dance, concert, or trip to the cafeteria I am amazed at the conversations and accomplishments of my peers. Personally, I think that one of the best things about William and Mary is that even if you don’t know someone personally, you recognize them or a friend of a friend knows them. Basically, it is the small community that I had at home, only it’s college! What advice can I give to you to get ready? Well, how about this: You were accepted because someone on the admissions committee believes in your potential. They believe that you have something to offer the William and Mary community that no one else can bring. Remember that you were chosen for a reason and we are all VERY excited to meet the up and coming class of 2014!