College/Major: Organizational Communication
 
Why did you pick Ohio University?
     Honestly, in November of my senior year of high school, I still had not even looked at any schools.  I was unsure where I wanted to go or what I wanted to do.  A friend of my mother’s was coming to Athens with her son to visit and invited us along.  I decided to go look, just to see.  The second I arrived on campus, I fell in love.  I knew that Athens was the town and Ohio University was the school for me.  The leaves were all different colors and the grass was still so green.  I felt at home even though I knew no one and had no clue how to get around campus.  I knew I would not find another school where I got this feeling.  Upon my visit, I also found out that OU has an excellent Communication department.  It was like fate.  I applied during my visit and made my choice.  To this day whenever I come to Athens from wherever I have been, I feel like I have come home.
 
What is the best part about living in Athens?
     The best part about living in Athens is that I am never bored.  Whether it is schoolwork or just hanging out in the dorms, there is always something to do.  There are many restaurants, shops, a movie theater and coffee places where you can go with friends or even by yourself to learn things about the town.  Baker Center always has something going on whether it is a free movie, concert, or event.  Even if you just go to play pool or ping-pong or eat in the food court, Baker was truly an amazing addition to this campus.  If you’re feeling stressed or looking for a way to bond with new people in the dorms, organize a trip to Ping to work out.  Everyone is usually a bit nervous going there the first time anyhow, so going with your new friends is a great idea.  You can honestly just walk around campus and not be bored.  The scenery and landscapes everywhere in Athens are beautiful just to look at.  It is my junior year and I will still stumble upon new happenings that have taken me 3 years to find.

Where is your favorite spot on campus?
     My favorite spot on campus is behind the dorms, Ryors and Boyd, on West Green.  I found it freshman year, spring quarter.  There is this little path that has cement benches on either side.  Also, there is a little creek that runs next to this path.  I use this spot to sit out in the sun when it is nice out.  However, I also go there to eat lunch with friends or even just to do schoolwork when I really need a change of scenery.  It’s beautiful and also pretty secluded.  I can focus on my work and enjoy the weather while getting some alone time, which is hard to come by in the dorms.  The best part about this spot is that if I turn around and face the other direction, I can see all the way uptown and I have a beautiful view of campus.

What has been your favorite class at OU and why?
     My favorite class at OU has been Interpersonal Communication, COMS 206.  This was an easy course because I could relate to all of the material.  We learned about things like how to get over a breakup, how to communicate with your friends, how to manage conflict, how to talk to your parents effectively, and how to get out of a dysfunctional or abusive relationship.  This was such a helpful course because we are involved in interpersonal communication almost every minute of the day.  I jokingly referred to this course as therapy because I learned so much about things that I am doing wrong or that I could do better to make my communication more efficient.  I find myself, to this day, still using the practices I learned in that course.
 

What advice would you give to a first year student?
     The best advice I could give is:  JUST GIVE IT TIME.  Everyone feels nervous or uneasy at first upon moving in.  Just open up and get to know people.  I know too many people who transferred home after one quarter.  In one quarter, how much could you have really learned?  As I said before, I am a junior and I am still learning new things about Athens.  Just stick it out because, I promise, it will get better.  The discomfort and homesickness will all go away.  Athens can become your new home if you just give it time ad allow it to be your new home.  You can’t change overnight.  You will not have a million friends and you will not know where every building is, even after your first few weeks.  But you will know enough that you will love Athens.  The adjustment is different, but it is so worth it.  I have never regretted being here a moment.