Tag Archives: Home

Heading Home

Posted on by
Reply

By Avery Jackson

It’s starting to hit me that this is my very last semester of college, of school, and of Baylor. These are also my last few weeks of “freedom” before the realities of the real world hit.

For the first time in my life I am faced with the reality that in the future, I won’t be able to go home and celebrate every holiday with my family. I’m from Indiana, and I am planning to move to Florida after I graduate and take a job at a scuba dive shop. I will also not be able to see the family of friends that have worked so hard to maintain at Baylor as often as I do now. This means I cannot just skip class to go home or get a few extra days off. I cannot just text one of my friends to come over to study and eat ice cream and just talk about life.

If college has taught me one thing, it’s that home is a luxury I need to visit as often, and for as long, as I can. It has also made clear that friends mean everything. Baylor is an amazing school in the ways it promotes family. Everything about it is family oriented and centered around your “adopted” family made up of students and faculty alike.

When you come to Baylor, come with the mindset that you will meet people that you will never want to let go of. Spend as much time with these people! Skip a class or two if it means flying or driving home early to spend time with your parents and siblings. Use this free time to make lasting memories with the people who mean the most to you.

Hang In There. It’s Almost Thanksgiving!

Posted on by
Reply

By Torie Abbott

Pic 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is a wonderful time of year at Baylor Nation! With the conclusion of Homecoming festivities, the red cup Peppermint Mocha relaunch at Starbucks and daylight savings time this past Sunday, November is in full swing and winter is just around the corner. The semester is half way over, and most students are looking toward end of the semester projects and finals.

Pic 2One of the most time honored Baylor traditions is the All University Thanksgiving Dinner. Located in the Burleson Quad, this on-campus dinner is put on by the Junior Class Officers. This year, the dinner falls on the Wednesday prior to Thanksgiving, from 5-7 p.m. The entire Thanksgiving meal, turkey and all, is free of charge for students with the swipe of a Student ID.

I have loved this Baylor tradition since my freshman year! Thanksgiving is a wonderful time for food and family. For college students, however, this holiday occurs away from the friends they have made while at school. The dinner gives students the ability to have a Thanksgiving meal with the friends they have grown to love so much while away from home. It is just one of the ways that Baylor University makes its students feel so at home.

Pic 3

Finding Home Away from Home

Posted on by
Reply

By Patara Williams

Every once in a while, I need some soul food, aka momma’s cooking. Every once in a while, I need to jab my brother in the stomach – sibling love. Every once in a while, I need to escape the worries of assignments, papers and tests.

As much as I hate to admit it, sometimes…I just need home.

I thought I had it made…my family lived 90 miles away. Not too far. Not too close. Just right.

In my earlier years, when I needed a taste of the home-life, it only took an hour and a half to get there. But for some of my friends, their issue of family and spatial proximity was not as fortunate. Three-day long breaks aren’t enough time to go home to Colorado let alone Nigeria or China to see mom, dad and siblings.

That forced them to figure out ways to fill the distance and feel the love, like:

  • Skype, FaceTime, Oovo, etc.
  • Call with that good ol’ fashioned telephone
  • Spend time with friends and their families during school breaks
  • Snapchat
  • Write letters….
    • Who does that anymore? Email…

My little brother (who I call Little Brother) caught me taking a selfie while on FaceTime…awkward.

Pic 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Or you can have your parents do what my mom did last Thursday….

Move to Waco O_o

Now don’t get your panties in a bunch. Living a few miles from mom isn’t that bad. Now that my mom and little brother are right here in home sweet Waco, I can look forward to good cooking, sibling rivalry and five mile drives to get away from the worries of college life. So, when finals week rolls around and I can’t find a study portal in the library, off to Mom’s.

Finding a home away from home won’t be a difficult task. The challenge will be allocating time toward family and friends and maintaining contact despite a hectic and exciting life away from home!

Embrace your years as a college student, but don’t neglect your family and old friends. It’s far too easy to become overwhelmed and consumed with the college life. Cherish family. Cherish friends. Cherish home.

I hope that Baylor will be your home away from home.

Sic ‘Em

Home Sweet Home

Posted on by
Reply

By Emily Woodby

Pic 1August 22 feels like forever ago. I remember moving into my dorm and feeling anxious about sleeping in my new bed that night. It just didn’t feel like home yet. It wasn’t anything bad; it was just the beginning of a new chapter that I had to get comfortable with. Time flew by and before I knew it, Collins 222 was definitely my home.

When finals week came around, I was ready to get home, relax over Christmas break and see my family! Living in a dorm, you learn to appreciate what you had in your home – space! That’s the one thing I did not think about coming into college. My bed is basically the only thing to sit on besides my desk chair. By default, it became my couch, comfy chair and sometimes my kitchen table.  So by the end of the semester, I was yearning to be home.

Pic 2

The break was great – I got to spend time with my family and see all of my friends who are at different schools now. It was a much needed time of relaxation. Once again time flew by, but it was a good thing. I didn’t realize how much I subconsciously missed my home in Waco. I realized that it is officially my new home, and I couldn’t wait to be back. All the fun, stress, lazy Sunday afternoons and memories that came along turned this little dorm room into a home. So, don’t worry everyone – I’m home (sweet home).

Reflections (by Grant Siluangkhot)

Posted on by
Reply

I’m finally home for the winter break. I’m done with studying for finals and I’m done with cleaning my dorm room. Sitting alone in the den of my home in Houston has really given me a chance to realize how much has changed in such short time.

I’m staying in the room where a church friend lived for a couple of years. Since I’ve left for Baylor, he’s moved to Dallas for work and the room’s been converted to a toy/storage room of sorts. Here, I sleep on a futon while my two younger brothers stay in my old room. In the guest room this year our family is hosting a student from Germany rather than last year’s Japanese student.

One of my brothers is now in high school and nearly taller than me. I’m surprised by how well my other brother can read. At home, there are Baylor green and gold t-shirts, flags, hats, cups, and bags everywhere. I’m the only one in my entire family who’s ever gone to Baylor, but it seems like my family embraces the Baylor Bear-ness. It’s pretty cool. I found this little note that my 6 year old brother was doodling:

Gotta love that intricate Pat Neff Hall doodle.

A lot has changed since I left for Baylor, but it isn’t so bad. I suppose it’s a part of growing up.

Although I really wanted to go to the bowl game in San Diego, I’ll have to settle for cheering my head off for the Bears over here and spending time with family and friends. I’m anticipating my next semester at Baylor, and I wonder what’s to come for the upcoming year.