Welcome, Belles of 2020!
I am so excited that you have finally arrived here on campus. It is a long journey getting to move-in day and it’s a huge milestone to celebrate. Your fellow Belles are so thrilled that you are here and are anxious to get to know each and every one of you. Belles Beginnings will be an incredible experience; there will be highs and there will be lows. You will meet new friends, you will learn new things, but many of you will be living away from home for the very first time and will have to say goodbye to your families. From someone who cried the moment I walked in to closing Mass, trust me when I tell you things will get better and you will be okay. College is an adjustment for everyone, and you most certainly are not alone.
The most important part of the weekend is to trust the process. Slow down, take it all in and be sure to thank your family for helping get you to this point. Enjoy every moment that you have this weekend and every memory you will make throughout your first year. You will never be a first-year Saint Mary’s student again, so cherish it.
You are entering into a community that is so much bigger than yourself. The support you will receive from your fellow Belles will be incredible, but you also are now part of a community that spans across the world. Any time you come into contact with a Saint Mary’s woman, you will feel this connection. It is the most special place, and four years will never be enough.
I encourage you to over the next few weeks to step outside of your comfort zone and try something new. Go into your neighbor’s room and introduce yourself, get involved in some way on campus and get to know your professors. Each experience will enrich your life in ways you never thought possible. In four years you will look back and be so thankful that you made the decision to attend Saint Mary’s. You may even be the woman writing this letter, I certainly never would have thought it would be me my first year.
You are about to embark on the journey of a lifetime. Saint Mary’s will not let you down in this journey. There will be challenges, but they are simply bumps along your path. Be yourself, be confident and just enjoy it. If you ever need a break, a simple walk down the Avenue will cure any problems you may face.
The most important thing to remember is that The Avenue will always lead you home. Welcome to the best journey of your life!
Emma McCarthy
student body president
Saint Mary’s College
Aug. 18, 2016
