Sometimes the perceptions incoming students already have about college can make their experience different than what they expect.
One of the major changes in college is the independence that comes not only from living away from home, but also not being locked into classes for seven hours a day, five days a week.
Sophomore telecommunications and journalism news major Sunnie Clark expected to be happy and feel free when she moved away from home, but her actual experience turned out differently.
“I expected to have a crap ton of friends to go out with every night. I expected the first year to be easy, breezy and just an all-around good time,” Clark said. “What I got is some depression from being homesick and a really tough course load. I didn't go out every night; there may be six parties I actually went to all year. For the most part, [my year] was homework, a small group of friends and TV.”
Clark advised incoming freshmen to focus on two things: school work and finding a good core group of friends. Balancing the two is the key.
With 14 different dining locations on campus, food options appear to be plentiful. Courtney Tuchman, a junior telecommunications major, is a vegan and has discovered during her time at Ball State that a lot of the chefs don’t know what vegan is.
Vegans do not eat meat, fish, eggs, dairy products or food that includes one or more of those items.
“Ball State has made a few steps forward — like it started carrying actual cartons of almond milk instead of those tiny ones — but the progress is very slow. Too slow,” Tuchman said. “If you're a freshman and a vegetarian or vegan, go to Woodworth two-thirds of the time, Noyer and the Atrium the other third.”
Junior public relations major Natalie Newlin still loves the decision she made to attend Ball State two years ago.
She was initially worried about going to a bigger school and meeting people, but she soon formed relationships with other students in her residence hall and classes.
“Every day on campus, I run into someone I know," Newlin said. "Even if they're not your close friend, it's nice to have acquaintances to catch up with and just say hello. I think it just makes you feel more connected and the campus less overwhelming."
After being on Ball State's campus for two years, Newlin had some advice for the freshmen.
"My advice for people is that college is what you make of it," Newlin said. "Get involved, join organizations or work on campus. You can meet so many great people working at your residence hall, which is what I did. Your education is important, but the overall experience and memories with friends is what makes it worthwhile.”
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