Three out-of-state freshmen walked into North Russell Hall one fateful August day, and started a friendship over a card game of “Exploding Kittens” that would later spark a campus-wide sensation in the form of a TikTok account under the name “NoRo Food Reviews.”

“I knew from the moment we started preparation that I wanted every aspect of the weekend to revolve around community and creating a peaceful environment,” Cantu said. “I want every person who steps on campus this weekend to feel at home and for the primary focus to be spending time with their loved ones.”

Late Night is a fun kickoff to the fall semester, a night to see friends, collect fun club merch and connect with dozens of student organizations. What students do not see is the preparation that goes into the event by members of various organizations in attendance.

It’s a Baylor tradition for freshmen to wear their gold line jerseys and sign the very Baylor Line they’ll run across before the first game of the season. For the class of 2029, though, the event was particularly special. The excitement of the following day’s showdown against Auburn was palpable.

To make the jump into college life less overwhelming, the Counseling Center offers advice and resources to help struggling students, including group and individual therapy sessions, dietetics for students needing a personalized meal plan and crisis appointments.

Facing extreme Texas humidity, students and faculty sweated their way through Move2BU on Thursday morning, carrying futons, shelves ­­— even surfboards — up flights of stairs.

“I appreciate it a lot more, because I’m getting to be a part of the hard work instead of just having it done for me,” Everitt said. “I think it was a good experience and a good way to meet the other people in our hall.”

As first-year students settle into college life, many encounter an unexpected challenge: the so-called “freshman 15.”

On Jan. 22, 1927, a tragic bus-train collision near Round Rock took the lives of ten Baylor basketball players. These young men were more than just athletes; they were cherished members of the Baylor community.

“I would say that these traditions really [are] what builds our strong sense of community here at Brooks,” Henry said. “We’re always experiencing life together, and it’s really sweet to see.”

Brown said they have a wide variety of trainings that happen throughout the two weeks; some are specifically geared towards returning CLs, and some are targeted at those new to the role.

Associate director of new student programs Keane Tarbell said the “H Crew” offers customer service to attendees of Orientation and Line Camp, so new students and their families feel a warm welcome to Baylor.

Currently, it is mandatory for all first-year students at Baylor to live on campus, but what is the reasoning behind this? According to Baylor, it is “for first-year students to live and grow together and find their place.” However, I find that in some cases, the benefits of on-campus living do not always outweigh the drawbacks. Here are some reasons why I believe mandatory on-campus living should be reconsidered.

Baylor is in the top five universities for first-year experience — a jump from the previous top-10 ranking in 2022, according to a recent U.S. News and World Report article. With a dedicated New Student Programs department and a variety of long-standing traditions, Baylor aims to make the first-year experience unique.

From wings to waffles, the Penland Crossroads offers a wide variety of options as the largest dining hall on campus — but freshmen seem to favor its milk. A student-run milk-drinking competition known as “Milk Monday” has taken campus by storm, with over 150 students in attendance this week.

It isn’t that spending time alone is wrong. Everyone needs to recharge. But when “recharging” becomes a go-to activity, we need a paradigm shift. Fulfillment comes through relationships and community; isolation compounds bad habits and leaves us more lonely than ever.

So, was it unbearably hot? Absolutely. Did I wait for three hours? You bet. Was it worth it? Without a doubt. The Baylor Line is not just about running to hype up the football team; it’s about camaraderie, tradition and the unforgettable memories and friends you make along the way.

The slime cap is an age-old Baylor tradition. As a staple of freshman attire, it became a Baylor tradition when students would wear a green cap with a yellow bill that proudly displayed their graduation year and hometown.

For students in the School of Education, building a meaningful community starts before arriving at Baylor, and engagement with the Waco community begins freshman year.

Upperclassmen, remember that you were freshmen not too long ago. The transition to college can be overwhelming, so remember to give freshmen grace and patience. When it takes a little longer to get places because freshmen are still getting used to Waco roads, or when your favorite place is incredibly busy because the new class just discovered it, remember what it felt like to adjust to that new environment and stage of life.

Along with the freshmen on campus, there are two new additions to the Baylor community: Judge Indy and Judge Belle. Baylor will host a Meet the Cubs event from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday to officially welcome the cubs to the Bill and Eva Williams Bear Habitat.

After incoming freshmen are notified of their acceptance to Baylor, they have until May 1 to submit their deposit. The Golden Wave Band uses the few weeks between the deposit deadline and the start of freshman advising in early June to reach out to any committed freshmen who may have band experience in their background.

Sytsma said over 45,000 meal swipes are used each week, and dining services is always looking for ways to improve per the students’ feedback.

Baylor Welcome Week leader applications will close on April 2. This year, New Student Programs released a new leader matching system which allows students to request to be a leader alongside another prospective leader of their choosing.

Philbrick also said the university is not planning on continuing Baylor Cityside in the fall of 2023, after it was used this past year to accommodate over 150 students due to lack of on-campus housing space.

In 2008, when Skotnikov was just a toddler she started her gymnastics journey. Her pediatrician said she was in the lower percentile for coordination and recommended physical therapy. But instead she joined rhythmic gymnastics.

Branching out takes patience and consistency. Making friends in college is a process of trial and error. You are going to meet people who are vastly different from you, but despite those differences, you are going to find friends you connect with.

The effect of yet another record-breaking enrollment year for Baylor became evident a month before move-in day when upperclassmen were asked to make room for new students.

Freshman class officers wanted to find a way to “Thank our lucky Starr” this Presidents Day.

The No. 22 Baylor Lady Bears softball team has been getting better every tournament, improving upon the little things before competition gets harder. Everyone is expected to perform at a high level, but the freshman class has surprised many people.

The upperclassmen and returning players continue to do their job.

Senior centerfielder Kathy Shelton has a .404 batting average and has 10 runs, 23 hits and nine RBIs this season.