This letter represents the view of Old Gold & Black Editor-in-chief Ella Klein, not the Old Gold & Black.
Class of 2029, we are so excited to meet you.
This week has been full of lasts for me — but full of firsts for so many of you. I remember driving onto campus with my parents, car packed to the brim with Brita filters, twin XL bedding and extension cords, so nervous about what was to come. As a senior, I now look back and think, “How did the time go by so quickly?”
My advice to you is to do as much as you possibly can. Go to the weird lute performances in Scales, participate in Student Union events, stay past the first quarter at football games and absolutely join every strange club that tickles your fancy. Beyond overloading your class schedule, think about what you want to learn. I promise you, you can fit it in.
The first semester was rocky: I kept getting strep throat, I missed my mom (even though I live in Winston-Salem, I thought I was too tough to visit home) and I had no idea how to properly write an essay. But by and by, through pit dinners and late-night sessions in the library, I found a stellar group of friends (who I still have today) that made Wake Forest feel like home.
Joining the paper in my sophomore year solidified my love affair with our university. I found the place where I clicked, where I could meet cool people, write cool things and connect with my community, both inside of Wake and beyond. I’m not saying you need to start being a regular writer (although you totally should), but you should keep searching for the place that makes you feel like you.
Basically, I want you to have the best of both worlds. Be an academic weapon, absolutely. But remember to have the most fun. I’ll say it — work hard, play hard.
So welcome to campus. Enjoy every last second of your first year.
