By Kara Little
Forum editor
After a long summer full of working and spending time with my family, I am back at my second home, Susquehanna. It took me a little to realize that this is my third year here, and that I am halfway done with my college career.
Many perks come with being a student at Susquehanna. The atmosphere, the academic rigor, the job opportunities; I was unaware of all of these as a first-year.
When I started my school years here, moving three hours away from my suburban New Jersey neighborhood, I definitely knew that living in rural Pennsylvania was going to take some adjusting. My first semester was definitely difficult; I did not get involved in any clubs and activities, nor did I try to branch out and meet new friends.
I felt like I would not get along with anyone and that college was not for me. My second semester I had started to get a little involved, with my involvement in our school’s Black Student Union. I had also made the decision to apply for Orientation Team, and had a blast working here over that summer as a Preview Day leader as well as an Orientation Leader.
My sophomore year I was so excited, because I had made so many friends from my involvement this far, and wanted to see how else I could become involved and help the Susquehanna community.
So I became a Student Ambassador, an executive board member for Black Student Union, a DJ for Susquehanna’s radio station, WQSU, and an Assistant Editor for Susquehanna’s student-run newspaper, The Quill.
I even got a job as a barista at Scholarly Grounds in the Blough-Weis Library, making and selling fresh smoothies during the week, blending combinations of strawberries, bananas, and pineapples into a blender so a student could get a refresher as they tackle the day.
While I was so happy being so involved in campus activities, the number of responsibilities had become overwhelming. I was missing meetings, not getting things in time for their deadlines, and just not fulfilling all of my responsibilities.
It was at the end of sophomore year that I realized that being involved was great, but my academics and self-care were much more important.
Now that I am in my junior year, I am aware of how involved I want to be, as well as how much involvement I can handle while handling my academics in a smart and efficient manner.
To all current first-years, it is okay to not have a set groups of friends right now, it is okay to be homesick, it is okay to not understand everything going on in your classes right now, it is okay. Just get involved, focus on your schoolwork, and branch out. College is definitely something to get used to, but sooner or later you will find your interests and how to apply them to your college career.
I wish nothing but the best to all this school year, and I hope that everyone does well in every aspect this year.
The editorials of The Quill reflect the views of individual members of the editorial board. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the entire editorial board or of the university. The content of the Forum page is the responsibility of the editor in chief and the Forum editor.
