When it comes to Homecoming, there are several scenes that flash across my mind's eye: the fanfare of the marching band, the parade floats making their way down the road, accompanied by cheering and laughter, the buzzer going off at the football stadium for another touchdown, and the squeals of joy with voices muffled in hugs saying "I missed you" and Welcome back!" This year's college Homecoming was no exception.
During some of these little moments, I had the strange realization that this is my last collegiate Homecoming- wow.
As a freshman, Homecoming really did not mean anything to me; I didn't know any alumni, and to me it was just a large football game with a lot of strangers hugging each other. My Sophomore and Junior year turned that perspective around when I began to see dear friends graduate and come back for Homecoming- not to mention the sheer FUN that was being involved the parade and the game. Those strangers hugging each other turned into dear friends that I could not wait to embrace. Now, as a senior, I know far too many alumni to count, and all I could do was soak in the moments as they were happening and cherish my last collegiate Homecoming in the best of ways. For those who have been there before us you know- being a senior in college is both awesome but also really strange at the same time. You realize that this is your last chance to go to and be a part of things like sporting events, concerts and Homecoming. It has been said that all good things must come to an end, but in the moment you really do not want it to ever end. You wonder what life outside of the college bubble is going to throw at you. Seeing all the alumni come back and talk of their budding success and careers and wonder if that same success lies in your future. Of course, there are big words like graduation and future looming somewhere ahead, but we won't discuss those right now. For now, here are some of my favorite things about Homecoming, and I hope younger students will stop and take time to appreciate these things.
1. Happy reunions with alumni.
This is the obvious one, but it is one of the best things about Homecoming. It is really nice to see people who were seniors when I was a freshman and give them huge hugs, and hear all about what they are doing with their lives now. What's even better, however, is feeling like time nothing has changed between them and me.
2. Seeing the older generations walk down memory lane.
One of the CUTEST things I have ever seen at Homecoming is the sight of older couples walking across campus, holding hands, pointing all around and smiling. I know they are taking that sweet trip down memory lane, and my hear swells with joy. I couldn't tell you the sheer amount I would give to be able to sit down with these older alumni and here about their memories, how they fell in love, what their favorite moments of college were, the crazy things they did, etc. Seeing this sight every year brings such joy to my heart, and I look forward to being in their shoes years from now.
3. Being proud to be a collegiate.
Alumni often gush about how much they miss college and how they wish they had never left, and hearing this makes me proud to still be a collegiate. They talk of the wonderful times and memories and milestones they created here, and I am actually here, making them right now. That is a pretty awesome thing, and I intend to make the most out of all of the time I have between now and donning my cap and gown.
4. The comfort of knowing what I am leaving behind.
The underclassmen are so lucky- they still have several more chances to experience homecoming, and college in general, before they find themselves on the real cusp of the adult world. they have the chance to grow as students and as people, and from my years at college, I KNOW that at the end of the year, I will be leaving an institution that is better than when I first entered it- full of promise and new opportunities for its new students. That alone makes me proud and makes me want to come back to visit in the years to come.
5. Truly knowing I will have a home to come back to.
In a year's time, I will go from being the one welcoming the alumni back to being the alum people welcome back. While that is both exciting and terrifying, I know that my college (the professors, my friends) has helped to guide me toward the best future possible. No matter where the road takes me, I will always have a home to come back to.
