College Day: Nerves, Excitement, and Endless Possibilities

Each year, at the beginning of fall, Second Baptist hosts a college fair for students, inviting college representatives to speak with them and showcase their schools. Representatives from colleges and universities located around the country, and even the world, attend SBS College Day! The goal of the event is to introduce students to new schools and for them to learn more about the universities of interest to them. 
    
I have been attending College Day each year since the eighth grade. As an eighth grader, I enjoyed attending the event, taking home brochures, and having short conversations with representatives, but the idea of college and applications seemed far away and out of mind. 

However, now that I am a junior in high school, the importance and stakes of College Day have risen, as I will be submitting my college applications in just 10 short months. This year, with the reality of standardized testing setting in and the need to continue building my resume, I realized that making valuable connections and gaining relevant knowledge at our college fair matters to a much greater extent, which filled me with both nerves and excitement.

Dressed up and makeup done, I walked into the gym to see the familiar rows and rows of tables, each hosting a different school. Excited, yet unsure of where to begin, I decided to take a lap around the room, making note of schools that appeared exciting and piqued my interest. I went in with an open mind, having a list of universities that I hoped to speak with, along with giving myself time to have conversations with new universities, both big and small, that may offer exceptional programs beyond my knowledge. 

Beginning with DBU, I participated in countless conversations, including ones about my career interests in journalism, student life available on campuses, scholarship opportunities, and more! Speaking with schools all over the country, such as Samford, Rutgers, Auburn, UT and Tennessee, I left with great anticipation and hope for the vast opportunities and experiences available to me beyond high school! 

While the thought of moving away from home scares me, and I have no idea where I will end up, I am filled with excitement for that chapter of my future! Navigating preparations for college applications, I’m learning the importance of relying on the Lord through this journey, trusting that He will lead me in straight paths wherever I am meant to go! 

College Day Photo Album

Written by Communications Fellow Carson Patterson '27