With the summer coming to an end, and my sophomore year beginning, I can’t help but remember what it was like arriving at ETSU the very first time.
I felt slightly overwhelmed as I wandered around campus searching for all of my classes. Opening my P.O. box required all of the education I had gained in high school, and learning how exactly to decide what is edible at Main Meal took a little practice, too. With time I did learn.
I learned the shortest route from Rogers-Stout to Gilbreath Hall, and how to jiggle the lock on my mailbox just right. I also learned to stack up my plate with possibilities at Main Meal and do a simple taste test before eating.
I learned that 2-liter Vaults come in very handy during finals and that Starbucks could not financially survive without my support.
I discovered that it is a better idea just to take the stairs in Warf-Pickel because the elevator will take much longer, even if you’re going to the fifth floor.
Oh yeah, and parking -just come early. It is for the newly arrived freshman that I choose to reflect, and sympathize, while laughing of course.
I spoke to freshman Holly Crawford, who recently moved to Tennessee from Florida, about the adventure she is about to begin. “I’m kind of nervous because I don’t know anybody up there,” Crawford said. “I also don’t know where anything is, so I’m kind of nervous about that, too.”
Dara Powell also expressed concern about finding her way around campus. “I’m nervous because it’s going to be a whole new world for me and I don’t know my way around whatsoever.” When asked about her goals for the semester, she replied, “Keep my grades up and my scholarship, or my parents are going to kill me. My life hasn’t really been threatened, but plenty of other things have been.”
Crawford’s goal is to “Just make it through the semester without stressing,” she said. That’s not a bad goal to have, especially when you have just been uprooted from everything familiar and are placed into the real world with heavy expectations weighing on your shoulders.
For the freshmen who don’t want to learn the hard way, here are a few words of advice.
Go to class. The teachers do notice and definitely respect you more for dragging yourself out of bed at 8:15 a.m.
Keep yourself busy. That way you probably won’t have as much time to do anything too stupid. I know your mom isn’t around anymore to set a bedtime, but you will soon realize just why she did that.
“Don’t put off ’til tomorrow what you can do today,” because we all know that “tomorrow” is when it’s due.
Also, that old saying “My dog ate my homework” is no longer a legitimate excuse for not turning in your work because we all know the only pet allowed on campus is that beta you keep in a bowl on your over-crowded desk.
As far as the “freshman 15” is concerned, it can be obliterated by avoiding the dollar menu and gracing the CPA with your presence every now and then.
And one more thing, when you see upperclassmen laughing while you punch your P.O. box, just know they’re not laughing at you. They are simply remembering their freshman year at ETSU.

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