Kennedy Batchelder
Choosing where to go for college is a hard and nerve-racking choice to make as one is preparing to graduate high school. Freshman year of college is an exciting time and filled with new adventures, people, and experiences. Everyone’s first year of college also holds new challenges as well. But the most important thing to remember is that everyone’s experience is a little different in all their own ways. Freshman year is where it all starts for students, friendships, memories, and learning new responsibilities. I know how my experience went so I wanted to see how this year’s freshman experience is.
Kyler Roberts is from Laramie, Wyoming and was recruited to play football here at McPherson College. College football has always been one of Roberts life lifelong dreams. Right away Roberts was able to make new friends at his new school here at McPherson College. Having to report for fall camp in early August, he was surrounded by mostly football players and was able to make good connections right off the bat with what he said is “A good group of guys.” Roberts loves the aspect of college where he gets to go grab a bite to eat or go hangout at the park whenever he wants and can leave whenever he wants but still understands that academics are important too. He likes the fact that when communicating with professors they can be pretty lenient if another priority or life event occurs that he can miss class and not be docked for it, whereas in high school that was usually a no go.
In Robert’s first year in college he feels that he has been able to grow independently and doesn’t have to rely on his parents or teachers to make sure he is on top of his schoolwork and keeping up with his responsibilities. Roberts even enjoys the independence that college has taught him. He believes it has affected him in a positive manner. While being at school Roberts was able to get a job at Midway Motors here in McPherson as a car detailer. He believes that this job has allowed him to connect with some of the community members that are not associated with the college.
The dorm life is a whole new experience for everyone with having to share a small room and a bathroom with total strangers and all the other “entertainment” that comes along with living in the dorms. Roberts is living in Dotzer Hall in his first year of college. He was worried that he wouldn’t click with his roommate and things would be awkward but “fortunately I was set up with a great roommate.” Roberts and his friends will hang out and have dinners in the dorm commons when someone is able to “get some extra money.” Being in the shorter hallway on his floor, Roberts feels it was “easier to make connections” with the other people in his hall. Overall, the dorm experience has been positive for Roberts.
Being a collegiate athlete, it takes a lot of time dedication throughout the whole school year. Roberts feels that there is a more competitive grind he had to adapt to when joining the football team. There’s “never really an opportunity to be off of football…you’re in your off-season but it feels like you might as well be in season anyway.” He enjoys the year-round aspect of the sport demands, as that is what he has always wanted, year round football.
Malory Mooney, from Hoisington, Kansas is also a freshman this year at Mcpherson College. Being from a small town in Kansas, coming to McPherson College was an easy choice. Mooney says that McPherson College has had a positive impact on her life by allowing her to “expand my relationships among my peers”, and she has been able to make “some amazing connections and friendships that will last a lifetime.” Mooney was able to join SAB (Student Activities Board) this spring semester and is a part of her volleyball team’s leadership cohort. She loves being involved and a part of these clubs because it makes her develop a closer relationship with her peers and feel like she’s a part of a family. Mooney has not fully decided on a major yet but is leaning towards biochemistry so she can be a dentist one day.
Academically Mooney loves the Penji app the school utilizes for tutoring and class help. She has been able to easily schedule appointments with tutors to help her with homework or prepare for a test. The biggest hurdle Mooney has faced academically is presenting in front of a class, she says “it makes me nervous.” But she has been able to force herself to get up there and get into a “just do it” mind set until it becomes natural to her.
Moving to a new place filled with new people can be a very scary time, some may worry that they won’t be able to feel a part of campus. Mooney is the opposite. She feels totally connected with campus because she was able to join the clubs she is now involved in and loves the activities that go on throughout the school year. Mooney’s favorite activity/event that happens on campus is family day during homecoming. She loves meeting all of her friends’ families, spending the day with her family, and loves being able to share her experiences with them. Mooney says, “getting to meet people that I didn’t grow up with or isn’t from my hometown is such a thrilling feeling.” She believes that building these connections are very important.
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