Getting a sense of Belonging

When a freshman arrives at college he is prone to wondering if he belongs. The school is likley steeped in tradition and the naive freshamn views the campus as and populated by upperclassman who all seem to know their way. Do I belong here? the frosh often wonders but no ansers come fromm the environment . In the opening game of the spring trip against Denison a young freshman got a start due to an injury to an established upperclassman. His first two at bats were not successful but on the third at bat he managed to hit a ground ball single up the middle for his first hit . On his fourth at bat, he drove a line drive single to the outfield. I coudl se him run off the filed at the end of the inning and see he was brimming with intenal; delight. Yes he belonged now and I suspect he was soon to tell his friends and parents how much he loved the school. For everyone who goes off to collge they find a sense of belonging in a unique way. For some it is going to a football game or even a party with a bunch of new friends. For athletes though it is showing you can play and compete at this college level. But once you have the sense of belonging you are on your way to loving the experience.