I can barely catch my breath I’m so excited.

I’ve never seen this many faces, heard this many voices, all in one place. The college dean has just concluded her speech at the front of the room. There are packets in my hand. Who knew I could get so jazzed about packets? They contain vital information I’ll need for my first day of classes. A campus map, dining hall protocol, freshman FAQs.

My heart speeds into a dizzying rhythm in anticipation of reading through it all.

But it slows back ...