Freshman orientation ends on Thursday, but it's just the beginning for their college memories.
During freshman orientation, incoming students get a taste of what college is like, and seniors reminisce of their beginnings at Ball State.
For senior elementary education major Danielle Janes, stepping onto campus for her freshman orientation was daunting.
"I was scared and lost, and I didn't know campus at all," she said. "And now it's funny, because I consider this to be a pretty small campus, whereas when I was 18 it was huge and terrifying."
Senior aquatics major Kathleen Corcoran laughed as she looked back at her time on campus and presented the Ball State ID card she received her second day at orientation. After four years of using it to get meals, into residence halls, checking out library books and using several other campus services, the front of her card has faded and almost been completely rubbed away, leaving nothing behind but part of her name and photo.
Corcoran said she was nervous as a freshman because she didn't know where everything was, but she was surprised at how well she adapted by the Fall Semester.
"It's seems scary, but once you pick it up, it's not too bad," she said.
Janes said the less-than-desirable living conditions in the middle of summer almost made her orientation experience unbearable.
"It was so hot in my room that I couldn't sleep, so I went downstairs to sleep on the couches, and a bunch of other people were there, too," she said. "So we all went to IHOP."
Corcoran said the summer heat definitely played a factor during her orientation.
"It made it kind of miserable," she said. "But once it cooled down, it wasn't too terrible."
Janes said looking back, there were plenty of things that helped her, with the campus tour being the most useful part of orientation. Caring and understanding orientation leaders also made the experience smoother, she said.
Corcoran said her freshman orientation provided her with knowledge she's been able to carry with her throughout her years at Ball State.
"They give you a lot of information that you don't think you'll use, but you do," she said.
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