Sarah Brannigan (B’28) is a first-year in the McDonough School of Business studying finance. She is a New York City native who loves golfing, traveling, writing and Dunkin’ Donuts.
Eves are simply the best: Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and even birthday eves. I always anticipate family gatherings, gift unwrappings and events that have been marked on my calendar months in advance. On the eve of the start of my first year at Georgetown, I’ve had the chance to ponder the things I am most excited about in the coming semester. 
As I’ve now officially moved from my childhood bedroom to the bustling hallways of New South, I am excited about decorating my new dorm to match the Pinterest boards I have had for four years to meet this exact moment. Don’t get me wrong, I am just as excited about meeting such a diverse community of learners and changemakers. However, I am most excited for the things that make a semester at Georgetown uniquely its own.
For example, I am buzzing to use acronyms, like GUASFCU (Georgetown University Alumni & Student Federal Credit Union), when chatting with my new classmates so that we can save time and have meaningful conversations about our passions and drives.
I can only imagine the butterflies that will soar in my stomach when I walk into Healy Hall for the first time as a student. I look forward to hearing the creaks of the hardwood floors, that to the bare eye might look like they need to be buffed, but hold great meaning as they have welcomed the dreams and ambitions of all the Hoyas that came before me.
How could I forget my excitement to wait in line for a simple Caesar salad at Leo’s for the first time, not for the creamy dressing, but to see familiar faces during peak hours and realize that I am truly finding my place on campus.
I have come to realize that I am excited for the simple things like exploring Georgetown’s Jesuit tradition in the newly renovated Dahlgren Chapel or cheering for the Blue and Gray on a student shuttle to the first home basketball game at Capital One Arena.
I am excited to struggle in an economics class and then prepare for my first test alongside a peer tutor. I am excited to explore the nation’s capital and remember that I am fortunate enough to call Georgetown’s campus home for four years. I am equally as excited about the unknown as the things that are a given when you move to the Hilltop as a student.
What clubs will I join? What classes will I take? What major will I decide? How will I make a difference? I have heard from numerous sources that Georgetown is a special place. I guess I could have summed up this blog post in a simple sentence: I am excited to experience Georgetown University firsthand and make my experience uniquely mine.
