Growing up, I always knew that I wanted to attend college. I wanted to go somewhere new and experience life in an entire new way. I wanted to go somewhere that I could get home in a reasonable amount of time that I needed to. Eventually, the Lord directed me towards choosing Baylor University.
Before college, I had never lived in Texas. I was used to the midwest, the Ozark Mountains, and small towns. I went to Baylor looking for an adventure, a challenge. Little did I know, I was going to experience both of those things and more. It took me a little while to adjust and to find my niche at Baylor but once I did, I found something that I was not exactly looking for: a home.
My heart frequently longs for the 479 and for the incredible people found within it, but the 254 holds a very dear place in my heart. Going to school eight hours away from home was a large step. I was immersed into a culture that I did not know with 15,000 new people that I did not know either. This was one of the greatest decisions that I have ever made.
The more time that I spend in Waco, the more that I realize that this is my home. Yes, I miss my old life, the commonality of it all. But for the same reasons, I do not miss it at all. I became too comfortable; too familiar. Because I chose somewhere that I did not know a single person, I have been able to find my own familiarity here.
Walking around on campus, hearing those sweet Pat Neff bells ring, and seeing familiar faces that greet you with a smile, I know that I have a home at Baylor.
The people here are genuine. They allow you to create relationships that you never foresaw yourself having. By getting involved on campus and in the Waco community, I have met some of the most incredible people who I know will walk alongside of me for a lifetime. When the times get tough and when you feel like there is no way to keep pressing on, there will be someone to prevent you from falling as well as someone to hold you up.
Baylor is everything that I could have wanted, and more.
Growing up in a Christian home, I was able to grasp a close and intimate relationship with the Lord. This is one of my personal values that I will always continue to strive towards and to grow in. At Baylor, I have the freedom to do that. I not only have the freedom to do that, but I have a community of people around me who are seeking the same thing.
My biggest encouragement to those who are looking for a college is to find a school where you are going to grow in more ways that academically. Don't get me wrong, academics are important. Academics should always be one of your top priorities, but make sure that you are in a place where you are going to grow spiritually and personally as well.
Get involved at the place where you are whether you want to or not. Involvement is one of the most important things in life regardless of what stage in your life that you are. Be all in where you are at. Be a game changer, a world changer. Do things that you would have never imagined yourself doing. Go adventure. Learn some things about yourself that you never knew; find your home.
