From the freshman fifteen, figuring out Greek life, joining clubs and trying not to cry when you realize you must do your own laundry, becoming a freshman means starting fresh, while also having two million new challenges. I would know, I’m a freshman! However, the University of Evansville freshman experience is not the average one.

            Starting college, I knew it was going to be different than high school. I would have to make new friends, have harder classes and have to wake up without my mom making sure I get to class on time. What I didn’t realize was how much I would have to remember. What time is my class? Did I have a reading assignment? Do I have food in my dorm? I ask myself these questions more times than I can count. In reality though, everything always works out.

            One of my favorite things about UE is meeting the people here. It’s like kindergarten all over again. You say hi to someone and the next week you are going to lunch with them every day. My friend group met in Shaklin hall with a simple “so who wants to be friends”! Now we talk every day. The University of Evansville is full of amazing people, so if you’re looking for a friend, just say “Hi”. I promise you everyone is just as nervous, I know I was.

            Let’s be real though, can we talk about the dining hall? I’m not going to have freshman fifteen, it’s going to be freshman fifty with those amazing cookies and brownies! I feel like college dining is dangerous, not because the food is bad but because suddenly, you have food anytime you want! Breakfast? Duh! Dessert? Get me two cookies! I can have as much food as I want with a swipe of a card. Don’t worry though, the gym will be seeing me soon with all that food!

            All of this is like other colleges but it’s the little things that make the UE freshman experience so different. Did you know a rock could represent your future? I didn’t until I came here! The traditions I have been part of and the experiences I have had here are like no other. There is something really special about this community.

            Overall, my start of freshman year has been interesting! Some days I think I have everything all figured out and others I’m staring at the mess of my room and all my homework wondering why I did this to myself. If you are feeling any of this, don’t worry because you are not alone. This messy transition time of freshman year is only half the fun of being a college student. Afterall, it wouldn’t be college if it wasn’t messy. So have fun, make sure to study, and overall…

 Welcome to UE!