Almost exactly a year ago, I was a freshman headed up to McCall with the entire C of I Class of 2015 for the McCall Wilderness Experience.  The Class of 2016 is days away from making the same trip. 

I am sitting in my half-empty room writing this blog post, and I don’t really know how to describe the feeling. I feel a little half-empty myself, like I’ve been trying to absorb everything there is to experience of life at home before I move out. I’ve been eating on the couch, taking baths, having friends over to make dinner and driving my car. I’ve been spending as much time with my friends as I can, and have already had to say a few (tearful) goodbyes, that has by far been the worst part of this week.

Last week was probably the hardest week I have had all summer and for good reason. Last week was the first week of preseason training for both the men's and women's soccer teams.

As a member of the team we have to arrive on campus early to practice, usually twice a day. It is a nice time of year to be hanging out in Caldwell, because the campus is not lonely any more, but is beginning to click into gear. Other teams are also here on campus, like the women’s volleyball team, cross country team and also some resident assistants getting the dorms ready for everyone to move in.

It all starts with an essay. I'm not an admissions counselor, so I'm not sure how much it figures into the acceptance process, but we all begin our college careers with an entrance essay. There's a different topic every year, but ultimately it's supposed to tell the school something about ourselves. From Junior High, up to our Senior year in High School, we're given framework and guidance on this elusive and complex skill. And then, in our freshman year of college, we're asked to start over.