Ask any senior on campus if what they’re doing now is anything close to what they imagined it would be four years ago, and most would probably say no. Even the seniors on the Trinitonian had no idea how much they would be involved in the publication at this point. Funny how things turn out.

We in the editorial staff came into college thinking that this was where we would figure out how to be adults or how to get our lives together from the mess that was high school. In some ways, that’s true. In college, you learn about hard work, dedication, relationships, successes and failures. You also learn to deal with stress, anxiety, depression —some of it manageable, some of it not.

Many first-years arrive on campus in awe of the opportunities they have, yet they’re frightened by the pressure of not knowing what to do with their future. We’re here to tell you that it’s okay. It’s okay not to know what you want to study, who you want to become or what Trinity will hold for you. You can figure it out as you go, and you have all the time in the world (or at least four years).

Many students will get concerned about their grades. Depending on your career path, the GPA you earn in college could stick with you from internship to job and even to post-graduation. That being said, we wouldn’t stress unless you’re on track for graduate school.

If there’s one thing that previous students have told us, it’s that investing your time in your engagements outside of the classroom are far more valuable than perfect grades. The opportunities that are found on Trinity’s campus are worth those few extra points to the GPA. Joining a student-led organization, getting an on-campus job or becoming a member of Greek life are all experiences that you won’t be able to have after graduation. University life is the perfect place to explore yourself alongside other curious minds. As students, we’re all trying to find ourselves, so you’re not alone.

So as you start your first semester, take any class you want. Sign up for all the clubs at the Student Involvement fair. Explore what the thriving city of San Antonio has to offer you. Support your peers in their theatre productions, sports games and cultural events. Get active in politics on and off campus. Just do something to get out of your room from time to time.

The staff of the Trinitonian is here to help you stay connected and informed about campus life and issues. Remember that we are your outlet and campus voice. If you have a story idea, you can reach out to any of the staff listed on page two or email [email protected]. If you have feedback, questions, comments or just want to talk about how we convey campus news, you can see us in Coates Student Center passing out the paper every Friday morning. And if you really like what we’re doing and what we stand for, you can apply to work for us.

In this issue, you can read about conservative students navigating their way through a majority liberal school, a musician’s guide to in the local music scene, what to expect from our athletics program and much more. We’ve made sure there’s plenty of stories to keep you from being a clueless first-year — just look for the “First-Year Focus” label. So sit back, relax and read the Trinitonian — we’ve got you covered.