The transition into college after high school can be rocky for some people as they adjust to the new environment. Freshmen tend to have certain expectations as to what they may be going to face, however the reality of college can take a toll on many.
Sara Bjerke, a musical theater major and member of the volleyball team, came to Piedmont from Idaho and was nervous about her freshman year:
“Being from the Midwest made me a little scared of college. Not just for the huge move and new atmosphere, but because I was nervous that I may have been behind or less qualified than fellow students. I was afraid I would feel out of place and end up getting left out,” said Bjerke. “
“But everyone here has been very welcoming and kind to me. Everyone has been really nice with helping me realize I’m not held down by my hometown and state.”
Bjerke was nervous about being an athlete as well as a double major in theater and music. She cares deeply about both her sport and her major, so she has been delighted to realize that the balance has not been as challenging as she thought.
“All my teachers are easy to talk to, and my coach also contacts all the professors for the team to ensure they know if I’ll be missing class,” said Bjerke. “In the end, it’s all about communication.”
“I didn’t have too many expectations coming into this new environment. I mainly came in with the idea that I was gonna be open minded when it comes to meeting new people and being involved in campus activities,” said Rayianna Bootha, a business administration major with a focus in finance. Bootha is also from Jamaica. “I’m slowly getting more comfortable.”
Brady Gerkler is from Wake Forest, North Carolina. Gerker is a film production major.
“My expectations coming into Piedmont were about average. I wasn’t expecting the most amazing thing of all time but rather something cozy and a place to call home,” said Gerkler. “The reality is that it is, in fact, a nice little place that I’m sure I’ll be calling home very soon”.
Riley Robinson is from Toccoa, Georgia. Robinson is a double major in Biology and Health Administration Systems Management.
“I expected there to be the people that actually cared about their education as well as people here just to have the experience, but I did not expect some of the childlike behavior l’ve seen,” said Robinson. “l’m here to make connections with people that I can take into my future career.”
Overall, freshmen from all over the country, and even Jamaica, have different expectations coming into college. On the bright side, most students are happy to be here at Piedmont and in a more independent and exciting environment than high school.
