Finding Your Community at Concordia University Texas

Starting college is a major change. Students leave behind familiar classrooms, friends, routines, and, for many, their families. Instead of seeing the same people every day as they did in high school, they begin building a new life surrounded by unfamiliar faces and new responsibilities. For some students, this transition is exciting. For others, it can bring homesickness, uncertainty, and the challenge of finding where they belong.

As a freshman at Concordia University Texas, I am learning that college is about more than attending classes and earning a degree. It is also about meeting new people and discovering who you want to become. Having moved around throughout my life, I understand what it feels like to enter a new environment and search for a place where I can grow. Coming to Concordia University Texas has given me the opportunity to begin building that foundation, and it has helped me understand why creating connections matters so much during college.

Through my interview with Kylie Bowman, Digital Content Specialist at Concordia University Texas and member of the Tornado Family Day planning team, I learned how campus experiences help students build those connections. One example is Tornado Family Day, which gives students and their families an opportunity to reconnect while experiencing the community students are beginning to call home. Our conversation showed me that the connections behind an event like this matter long after the day ends.

Staying Connected With Family While Becoming Independent

Tornado Family Day allows parents to experience their children's lives in a new environment. Instead of seeing them as high school students, families get to see them as young adults who are learning to become more independent.

Bowman explained that Tornado Family Day can also give families reassurance. During orientation, parents hear about the faculty, staff, campus activities, and support available to their students. Family Day allows them to experience those things for themselves and ask questions they may not have thought to ask earlier.

For students who live several hours away, a campus visit from family offers a chance to reconnect without students having to pay for gas or a plane ticket home. For those who miss home, having a specific date to look forward to can make the transition easier. Bowman shared that, when she was a student, she noticed classmates leaving campus on weekends or missing Friday and Monday classes because they were homesick.

Having a family visit on the calendar gives students something to anticipate as they build routines and relationships on campus.

Finding a Home Away From Home in College

Although Tornado Family Day focuses on families, not every student can have their parents attend. Some students live out of state or internationally, while others may not have family members who are able to make the trip.

Bowman emphasized that students can still find a sense of family at Concordia University Texas, even when their relatives are not physically present. Friends, teammates, classmates, faculty, staff, and student organizations can all become important parts of a student's support system.

One example she discussed was the chalk walk, an activity that encourages students to pick up a piece of chalk and draw in a relaxed environment. Students do not have to participate in a formal conversation or feel pressured to introduce themselves to someone new. Simply sharing a space and participating in an activity can create opportunities for friendships to begin.

Bowman explained that campus activities are also intended to highlight connections beyond parents and relatives. Students involved in athletics, clubs, and other campus activities can find people who share their interests. Even students who do not immediately feel comfortable at large events have opportunities to find their own place within the Concordia University Texas community.

This part of our conversation stood out to me because making connections does not always come naturally. I've learned that finding a community means being willing to try something new. Whether it is joining a club, attending a campus event, volunteering, or introducing yourself to someone, small steps can lead to meaningful relationships. As a freshman, I am still learning that it is important to step outside my comfort zone, but I know that the connections we make now can help shape our college experience.

Students do not have to build their lives in a bubble. Even when family members cannot be there, friends, faculty, staff, and campus activities can help students feel welcomed, supported, and included.

What could community look like for you?

Think about the people and experiences you want in your college life. Get to know student organizations, campus activities, and opportunities to connect at Concordia Texas.

Building Confidence and Connections on Campus

Kylie Bowman understands the transition to college because she has experienced it herself.

During our interview, she explained that a lot can change during a student's first month on campus, even when it may seem like they have only been there for a few weeks.

When students walk around campus with confidence, introduce their families to others, and ask questions, it shows that they are becoming more involved in their new environment.

Bowman described seeing that growth as a return on the investment Student Life makes in students throughout the summer. After spending so much time welcoming students and helping them prepare for college, staff members get to see whether students are beginning to feel at home.

She also explained that campus events help Student Life recognize students who may still be struggling to find their place. Not everyone enjoys the same activities, and some students may prefer quieter spaces instead of large events. By noticing who participates and who does not, Student Life can consider what other activities might help students feel included.

It was important to hear this perspective because it shows that building a community requires more than planning events and expecting everyone to attend. It requires paying attention to the people who may feel overlooked and finding different ways to reach them.

As a beginning college student exploring opportunities in communications and campus life, I am learning that making connections is not always about being the most outgoing person in the room. I will continue to find myself in situations where I need to push past feeling uncomfortable and ask questions. I am learning to give myself permission to take that first step.

Bowman's advice during our interview extended beyond Tornado Family Day. She encouraged me not to let the fear of rejection prevent me from pursuing opportunities, explaining that rejection is sometimes redirection. It is a part of college, professional development, and life, so her advice reminded me that growth often begins when we are willing to take a chance, even when we do not know the outcome.

That lesson connects directly to the college experience. We are not expected to have everything figured out during our first semester. I am here to learn, explore, make mistakes, and discover what I am capable of doing.

Making a Home in Austin

The college experience also extends beyond Concordia Texas's campus. For students experiencing Austin for the first time, getting familiar with a new city can feel exciting, but it can also be overwhelming.

Bowman explained that Student Life wants to help students learn what Austin has to offer, from local events to new places to visit. One example she shared was an outing to see the Round Rock Express at Dell Diamond, where Student Life arranged discounted tickets for students and their families. Experiences like this allow families to spend time together while helping students become more comfortable in the area.

Bowman also explained that trying something new can make future experiences feel less intimidating. Once students learn how to get somewhere and experience a local event, they may feel more confident returning with friends or visiting other places on their own.

I connected with this because adjusting to a new area has been a part of my life. Remembering where buildings are, finding the nearest gym, or figuring out the best place to eat are things we have to learn again when we move.

Now that I am attending college in Texas, moving to the area has brought its own surprises. One thing I did not expect was the traffic. I assumed living outside the center of Austin would mean less time on busy roads, but I quickly learned that getting around the area can be more complicated than I imagined. Experiences like this teach me that becoming comfortable in a new place takes time, patience, and an effort to learn.

For students who are new to Austin, even simple things like finding places to relax, figuring out transportation, or finding events to enjoy can make a difference in feeling settled. Bowman emphasized that students do not have to figure everything out by themselves. Faculty and staff at Concordia University Texas can help answer questions about local activities, transportation, and available resources.

Over time, getting to know Austin can become more than learning a new city. It can become part of finding a sense of belonging.

Why Community Matters in College

Concordia University Texas is made up of more than classrooms, residence halls, and athletic fields. It is a community of students, families, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends who all contribute to the college experience.

For families, staying connected offers a chance to see their students grow and understand the environment they are now part of. For Student Life, it is an opportunity to celebrate student progress while learning how to better support the campus community.

For me, finding community starts with small decisions: showing up, asking a question, or trying something unfamiliar. I am still building my college experience, but I am learning that I do not have to do it alone.