Here at UNC we are over halfway through the Fall semester already. It seems like I blinked in August and now October is almost over, but I wondered if our students feel the same way. School can be busy and feel stressful, perhaps most of all for freshmen who are making their way through their very first semester of college. Everyone could probably use a little encouragement as midterms and monotony loom, so we made the rounds to see how our freshmen are experiencing campus. Here are some of the highlights of their first Fall in Chapel Hill!
"Boba. The new boba place in Roper Hall. I'm, like, best friends with the owner now." - Brady
"Boxing classes. We got our hand wraps yesterday and I felt so professional. Whenever someone asks how my weekend was and if I did anything fun, I say boxing." - Hope
"One of my friends lives in a single with a couch and we do a movie night every week." - Joon
"I would say that there's been a lot of good things that have happened to me at UNC, but if I had to pick one thing that I'm really thankful for it would be the North Carolina Study Center because it was through this organization that I have been able to get connected with A2F and a myriad of other organizations on this campus. It's a large reason for a lot of the friends that I have now so I'm incredibly grateful." - Grant
Not to toot our own horn, but four freshmen said...
"The Fall Retreat was my favorite part!" - Ella Kate, Joy
"It was really eye-opening." - Celina
"It was good for spiritual revival and community." - Ashley
There you have it, some of the bright spots of the Fall semester so far. From movie nights to new friends to our very own Fall Retreat a few weeks ago, a lot of the students' highlights are centered around community. It really goes to show the importance of having one, and just how much of our lives are intertwined with other people.
Hang in there Tar Heels (and others), and in the midst of the busyness, don't forget to stop, look around, and notice all of the little things that make up your daily life and bring you joy.
Emily Jones (UNC c/o 2025)