This semester, almost 1,500 students entered their freshman year at SRU and all are finding their own ways to adjust and adapt to a new lifestyle.
Going into freshman year can bring various emotions and feelings to students. Many things are also brand new to the individual experiencing college for the first time.
Ian Squyres, a freshman double majoring in music education and performance, talked about his experience starting his first year at SRU.
“It’s a big change, you’re going from one way of living to picking all of your stuff up and moving and putting it down in another place with new people and a new environment,” Squyres said.
Jordan McElravy, a freshman majoring in early childhood education, talked about what it was like moving in on the first day.
“[B]efore I left, I was really sad to be leaving. Especially my cat, because, she doesn’t know anything…I miss [my pets]. I was really sad to leave my house, but as soon as I got here and I got moved in, I was really excited,” McElravy said. “It was kind of chaotic because me and my roommate, we moved in at the same time, and so both of our families were there…as soon as they left, I was excited. I was like, ‘Yes, I’m ready to be here… I need to branch out.’”
Students spend their first few weeks learning more about campus and what it is like being a student here.
“Mostly, it’s been a lot of meeting new people and figuring out what to do based off other people’s experiences,” Squyres said. “I’ve been talking to a lot of upperclassmen and asking them how they got through things, and what they did to kind of adjust to the new scenery and the new practices.”
Squyres discussed a situation that many students experience each year.
“One of the things that I was definitely concerned about was the social side of things. You know, not that I’m not a very social person, but it’s still intimidating to come into a completely new area where you don’t know a whole lot of people,” Squyres said. “Everyone coming here is probably in a similar situation, just being nervous about meeting new people and having to make new friends.”
Squyres mentioned how he feels it is important to learn to adjust to a schedule and manage time as a college student.
“An important thing that I’ve been trying to figure out how to manage is just fitting some time to sit down and, just like, I don’t know, read a book,” Squyres said.
SRU puts on various events for incoming students, including the Week of Welcome (WOW), giving students the opportunity to meet new people and engage in activities on campus.
There are over 100 clubs and organizations for students to get involved in.
McElravy mentioned her passion for dance and how she wanted to continue performing in college. She recently joined the Illusions Dance Team and feels it will benefit her throughout college.
“I’m excited to make that connection with everyone…to have this new dance family. I hope that as I keep dancing it just grows and it gets better and better for the years,” McElravy said.
Squyres also talked about what he was most excited for when entering freshman year and is very excited about the opportunities that will come.
“I think for me it’s getting to study what I have always wanted to study. You have like, your music classes in high school, but you don’t have anything that really goes into it very much,” Squyres said. “It’s been a great change, it’s been a really positive change.”
