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.”
Read More
Third round rise leads Ball State women’s golf to 4th place finish at MAC Championship
By Nick Shelton / 10 hours agoThroughout a season that saw a number of ups and downs, from placing 14th in their season opener to placing 1st at the Brittany Kelly Classic two weeks later, the Cardinals continued to climb. Closing out their season at the Pinnacle Golf Club in Grove City, Ohio, Ball State’s young squad had a lot to prove.
Representation for all
By Jayden Vaughn / 21 hours agoThe LGBTQ+ community is finally getting the comprehensive on-screen representation that it deserves.
Bearcat pitching struggles lead to Muncie Central loss at Delta in Delaware County baseball clash
By David Moore / YesterdayAt the end of the evening, it was the Eagles who ended their four-game skid as Delta took the victory against the Bearcats 16-1 in five innings. Delta will be on the road for its next contest against Hoosier Heritage Conference rival Shelbyville April 23 at 6 p.m. Muncie Central will travel to Muncie Burris for its next matchup, also April 23 at 6 p.m.
