Hello everyone!

Customs week is hectic, even the second time around. I got back to Bryn Mawr about two weeks ago and since then I have been in training, attending meetings, and welcoming first-years. When I wasn’t doing that I was trying to sleep, eating, and decorating my room (which I still haven’t finished doing). I was honored to welcome the class of 2017, transfers, and McBrides. It was fun to watch as they chose their class song, parody, and songs mistress. It was weird though, remembering that only a year ago I was in the same position wondering what the year would bring me and being excited about all the traditions and the community the school had to offer. I also remember the excitement that the upperclassmen had about welcoming the “babies” and the excitement I now understand as a sophomore. It’s different not being the youngest class anymore; although I do recall chanting at the end of May Day with some of my friends, “we aren’t babies anymore.”

I also remember that is was around this time last year that I felt my first bout of homesickness. It wasn’t because I missed my mother or my little brother, it was because I was missing the biggest event that my family hosted each year. It was my first time missing this event since my birth and even now I’m struggling with coping with the fact that I’m not home. Every year we have a pre-labor day cookout (picnic) at my grandparents house. There is food, music, and good company. I’m usually stressed out though, because this takes a lot of planning and preparation but I always look forward to this time of year, especially since I’m old enough to invite people myself. Last year, I think I took it harder than I did this year; so to everyone (especially first-years) that is worried about being homesick, the feeling may not go away… but it does get a little easier.  It’s okay to be homesick, but don’t let that rule your life. The community at BMC will always support you and can become your home away from home.