By Mallory Schlabach, Editor in Chief

Face the Facts

Hundreds of new students arrived on campus last week ready to begin a journey ending for many of us.

As a senior , I have noticed that the freshmen seem like babies, so young and unaware of what will come.

I was like this once. Although no upperclassman will admit it, we were in your shoes not too long ago. You’re embarking on an incredible time in your life. Soak it all in, stay up late and call home every now and then.

Freshman year was my favorite year of college because it was fun. I had fewer commitments and more time to be silly. I relished in my freedom, made new friends, ate at Taco Bell too much and gained the freshman 15.

I also had memorable experiences that have helped shape who I am now.

I remember it like it was yesterday. Thankfully, it wasn’t. It was the first day of class during my freshman year. I was an art major at the time and walking the long trek from Gardner Residence Hall to the Don Morris building with my new best friend I met in my Welcome Week group.

As an art major, I had a plastic box full of art supplies in one hand and my backpack over my shoulder. My large drawing pad held out in front of me.

The only way to describe what happened next is eternal mortification.

Most people would never notice the foot-high cement wall lining the Campus Center I certainly didn’t.

One minute I was following the sidewalk, thinking about my first college class; the next I’m face down in the mud, my legs poking over the wall I hadn’t noticed.

Art supplies tumbled in all directions; my drawing pad flew into the grass, and my friend who helped me up was trying not to laugh at my mud-covered face.

Unfortunately, I had an audience of upperclassman waltzing to their classes, and I received an applause, a lot of uncontrolled laughter and a few ‘Are you OK’s?’ as soon as I stood up.

Completely embarrassed, I couldn’t do anything but laugh, and three years later, I still laugh when I see the short wall that should be impossible to trip on.

Although it seemed like the end of my life, it really marked the beginning of my college career. Along my journey, I’ve experienced times of laughter, clutzy falls, boring classes, false fire alarms, scary encounters with upperclassmen, a church I can call home and friends I’ll keep forever.

This is your first week of college. Embrace the funny, awkward, scary and sad moments, and from upperclassmen to freshman, welcome to ACU.