Over the past few days, I concluded another “first” as a student at Covenant: my first time returning to campus after summer break, now as a sophomore. With the initial transition to college life now complete, I felt more certain of what to expect. As I embarked on the 7-hour drive to campus, my jitters mingled with eager anticipation for all the growth lying ahead in a new school year.

Settling Back Home at Covenant

Covenant felt like home almost instantly when I first moved in last fall, and moving back made me feel at ease immediately. The move-in team made settling into dorm life again so easy, and after being greeted by the new set of RAs and Mac’s Resident Director, Emily Whiteman, my belongings were quickly whisked into my dorm room on the 5th floor of Maclellan Hall. This year, the familiarity of friendships and campus life made saying goodbye to my family the second time around just a little easier. For many students, the dorm rooms on campus have become a second home. 

Classes and Convocation

During summer break, I began to get excited to start classes again. As the weeks crept closer towards the first day of class, I looked forward to engaging with professors, learning, and developing a routine. My nerves melted away as I settled into my classes and saw a few familiar faces in each one. At convocation on the first day of class, we sang “O For A Thousand Tongues to Sing,” and I reflected on the beauty of a campus dedicated to lifting up our voices towards God and reminding ourselves that everything we do here is all for Jesus. Peace washed over me as I once again soaked up the school spirit and intentionality behind every tradition embedded into Covenant culture.

First Weekend on the Mountain

After the initial two days of class, the weekend came as a welcome chance to take a step back and reset for the full week ahead. On Saturday, I resumed a favorite routine from freshman year: spending a slow morning journaling and reading. Later that afternoon, I finished decorating our room and caught up with my parents over FaceTime. With Sunday morning came my first service back at New City Fellowship, the church I attended my freshman year. My friend Bridget and I chattered nonstop on the drive there, and we were elated at the chance to be worshiping again with our church family here. 

Returning to Covenant College after summer break felt like coming back home. Just a few days on campus reminded me why I love this place—it’s in the little moments like having dinner with friends, singing the Doxology during chapel, or soaking in the mountain views. Almost immediately after pulling past the Covenant College sign on Scenic Highway, I settled back into the place that God is using to form me relationally, academically, and spiritually.

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