Ah, it’s that time of year again! Brand new school supplies, club meetings to recruit new members, professors making their introductions, and freshmen bustling around, trying to find their classes (including myself). Hearing the word “Syllabus” more than four times a day, cracking open a new planner to write in, drowning one’s self in coffee, and having to decide on a seat for the rest of the year. The warm of summer brings a slight crisp to the air; welcoming autumn with open arms…I just love the beginning of a new school year, don’t you?

I was fortunate enough to have a pretty great first week at Molloy College, and I've started to get used to my father referring to me as, "A College Girl." The week was full of friendly new faces, and seemingly fair professors, with flexible office hours. The campus was just as beautiful as I remembered, the green lawns lush, and brand new buildings standing tall. The food in the Anselma Room was surprisingly good. Many new relations were made and names exchanged, with fellow freshmen in my classes and even upperclassmen. Everyone was so kind and helpful. It’s crazy to think the people I met this past week will be the faces I encounter for the next four years, and the faces I saw for the past few years I may not come across ever again. With this thought in mind, I conquered the first week and took a good look around the room in each of my classes. A wide array of diversity looked back at me, with a never-ending amount of majors and minors. Each student possessed a different ambition, a different end goal after graduating from this place. I was looking forward to getting to know each and every one of them, to the point of being able to recite their stories.

Although my first week at Molloy was good, it wasn’t the perfect first week you’re assuming it was. I admittedly got lost a few times trying to find my classes, and being a commuter to campus I had experienced the fun of “Rush Hour,” a mere 27-minute drive without traffic, sometimes taking over an hour. I constantly found myself looking around the room during my Biology 126 and Chemistry 132 lectures, wondering whether or not I was the dumbest one in the room because I hadn’t taken those subjects in years. The stress was already mounting, and I already craved sleep. It was hard at points, I’m sure all freshmen experienced this overwhelming feeling; but the upperclassmen were more than happy to address any questions or concerns I had, which made the transition much easier. I’m more than confident that these issues I had the first week will eventually fade to gray, and over the years I’ll become knowledgeable enough to even show a new freshman where their classes are.

I’m beyond thankful that as a freshman, Molloy’s current students and faculty have broadened their smiles and opened their hearts in order to make us feel welcome. I’m excited for the activities that are happening soon, such as the 50’s Back to School BBQ, and Halloween Party, and the various clubs I have expressed interest in. As the weeks go on, I’m sure that the struggles I had this first week will become a figment of the past, and this will all become routine. I’m looking forward to the next four years here as a Lion, and the everlasting bonds I’ll make along the way.