# data[].attributes.body
Thinking about places and events I have visited in the first month and a half on campus for some reason the grove has really stood out to me. This past weekend many of my friends and family came to Ole Miss for the University’s parents weekend. A big event on most Saturdays is tailgating in the grove before the football games. So that is exactly what I invited my family and friends to do with me before the Georgia Southern game. Tailgating is a huge deal here at Ole Miss and I was so excited to be able to share this experience with them. We all met up together and then headed down to the grove. My parents had a tent step up with food, drinks, tv’s and honestly all you can think of. We all sat around and shared memories, experiences, and laughter that we have missed in each others lives since I have been away at college. I’m originally from Illinois so having the ability to share this moment with my family meant so much to me. I don’t get to see my family very often but when I do it is always a great time. Being with my family and friends in the grove truly made me understand why our campus is not only so big on tailgating but more importantly school spirit, and inclusion and I’m so grateful I got to share that with my family and call ole miss my home for the next 4 years. This past weekend marks the first out of many new memories I hope to create throughout the rest of my college years to come.

# data[].attributes.body
Another event I was so grateful to attend was ole miss bid day. In the south rushing is very popular and this year at ole miss there was over 5,000 girls who rushed, we all went through very different process but in the end all ended up where we were supposed to be. I fortunately got the house I absolutely adored, and now get to call it my forever home. This year Alpha Omicron Pi’s house is undergoing construction so we ran home to the circle and even though it wasn’t a home this sorority has truly showed me how the people are the soul of a home. I have met one of my best friends through this sorority who is on the left of the photo who ran home to the same bid day big as me. On the right of the photo is lily who is now my big sister. Growing up I never had an older sister and being able to now have someone who genuinely loves and cares for me is such an incredible feeling including when being 10 hours away from home. This experience has not only made making friends so easy but also made me realize how many opportunities there are on campus. And how it truly doesn’t matter if your in Greek life or not you will find your people and I’m so grateful ole miss has those opportunities.

# data[].attributes.body
Another event I attended was ole miss’s first game. Before attending ole miss I have never went to a college football game so I really had no clue what to expect. As I entered the stadium after waiting an hour to get in I quickly realized why people rave so much about these games. The whole stadium was in white and was so excited for the unlocking of the vaught as everyone was cheering and waving their Pom Poms. Personally I came from a high school where sports are a very big deal, so football games were always my favorite as everyone showed up and showed out. So being able to attend a school that had school spirit and fun game days was really important to me. This first football game showed me at the end of the day this school is about being part of something bigger and showed me how important event like this are to bring people together and create friendships and memories. I’m so beyond excited for the next big SEC games coming up!

# data[].attributes.body
While being at college in the beginning I was very overwhelmed with the change, being this far away from my family and friends was something I’ve never had to do before. Including being in such a big campus compared to high school and my small home town in Illinois. So whenever I felt overwhelmed I would go on a walk around campus. This not only let me gain knowledge of the campus but also made where I’m living feel a bit smaller. Prior to college I found a lot of escape within horseback riding and I struggle with anxiety so ever since being in college it’s been hard trying to find alone time. So when I started going for walks in the evening when the campus is quiet really helped me have some alone time. Walking around the campus I’ve not only seen many beautiful sunsets but have also enjoyed viewing many of the statues, historic buildings and even the new buildings and upcoming ones. I’ve really came to realize how our campus caters to their students and is expanding to occupy them but also keeping the historic aspects.

# data[].attributes.body
Since being at Ole Miss my friends and I have been testing out a bunch of food places around the square. As we’ve been getting pretty bored of rebel market and the union! Our favorite quick and good place is south depot, because you can practically make whatever you want. My friends and I usually go down and walk the shops then stop by and get food. It’s nice that after a stressful week or day we can all come together as some of my friends live in RH1 and others in the apartments, so we all get lunch and talk about our days. It’s also really nice to sit and do work while eating as we’re pretty swamped with homework around this time! We also love some shops around the square to get game days outfit and sorority merch, which is always a need. Being able to have a town so close to our campus is so nice because it really makes college feel more homey and safe which is really nice including when coming from such a far place. I really love how ole miss created such and open nice campus that provides so much to the students, and is why I love this campus so much.