Just like the millions of Pokémon you caught this summer, we too, evolve into almost completely different creatures as we build our experiences. It’s weird to think we may not be so different from a miniature, yellow dog that shoots electricity from his body that we call “Pikachu.” Just as Charmander starts as a small, powerless creature and develops into an extremely powerful dragon with monstrous wings known as “Charizard,” we too start as powerless creatures, but overtime, we develop into powerful beings.

I recently heard someone’s opinion of why they don’t think people change. In the middle of what she was saying, I realized that I ONLY believe that people change, especially from being a scrawny 18-year-old who talks too much, and then into a hairier 22-year-old… that still talks too much. I believe that we can all look back at ourselves, year-to-year, and find several characteristics or feelings we once had about something or someone, then find that our feelings are non-existent or even warped completely. YOU WILL LOSE MORE FRIENDS THAN YOU WILL KEEP IN LIFE. That is simply how the human experience works, so coming into college, be optimistic, but also don’t be completely ignorant to reality.

When I came to Manchester:

1. I was heavily involved in my non-denominational, Christian faith
2. I was completely conservative because of the values and community I was raised within
3. I wasn’t anti-partying, but I also wasn’t an advocate for it
4. I thought very poorly of myself
5. I cared about what people thought of me… A LOT

Although I wouldn’t call it my “biggest” transformation, I want to talk about my faith. So I don’t talk about that part of my life much via social media, but sharing my faith or even having a conversation about spirituality, religion, etc., is something I never reject. My advice to everyone is to CHALLENGE your faith and your belief system. I grew up in the church, where I found refuge, and was a youth group kid throughout high school… BUT college changes us. I tried to get back to church, but I was always comparing other churches to the church I grew up in, which still holds a very sacred, gratuitous spot on my heart. I won’t get into the specific (unless you want to ask!), but it truly was a journey where I had to be completely vulnerable, open-minded, and independent within the dimensions of my own mind.

I came to college as your stereotypical, slightly ignorant, scrawny, white boy. *flashes east-side gang sign* NOW, I’m registered as an “independent” politically, I support same-sex marriage (so much so that I spent my St. Patrick’s Day in a gay bar and it was FABULOUS), I’m extremely anti-war, and most drastically… I like country mus—alright, I couldn’t even type that out without laughing. I hate country music and I’m 90% sure God does, too.

I’ll always have started as that scrawny, white boy and still hold several of the values I was raised alongside, but I’m also an individual with an open mind—one that is eager to progress. When we stop blaming our past for our actions or “why we are the way we are” is when we can evolve into amazing, independent people. To add on to that, I want to end on a quote from one of my favorite books, The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

“So, I guess we are who we are for a lot of reasons. And maybe we'll never know most of them. But even if we don't have the power to choose where we come from, we can still choose where we go from there. We can still do things. And we can try to feel okay about them.”

Stratton Smith ’17 is an English major, hailing from a small town just east of Indianapolis. Stratton is the captain of the tennis team, co-founder of Academic Probation, Manchester's improv troupe, and Vice President of the Theatre & Society club.

9^th grade my goal in life was to be a popular kid. I wanted to dress like a cool kid (I still can’t manage to do so), walk like I was important, more than anything I wanted to be important. My definition of important at the time was that people knew me. Let’s just say I was a very selfish 9^th grader. The world had to revolve around me. Well, not to my surprise, it didn’t. I was still a regular high schooler.

10^th grade I wanted to be a pilot more than anything. I started paying attention in my Geography and Chemistry classes, which I was told is what most people needed to be a pilot. What most people don’t realize are the impact parents in a typical African home have on their children. That, however, is a story for another day. Back to my story, my mum popped my bubble of glee when she told me she wouldn’t let me become a pilot. Her only reason being she didn’t want to worry about my wellbeing while I was in the air. I guess I can’t really blame her for that, as much as it pained me.

11^th grade my plans had changed, I now wanted to be a lawyer. I was on my school’s debate team; I developed a passion for proving to people that they were wrong and I was right. I also fell deeply in love with formal attire. I was also part of my high school’s Model United Nations (MUN) team. I still continue to participate in MUN at Manchester.

Back home we really didn’t have 12^th grade—it was more of AS level and A level classes, or IB1 and IB2 classes. So I went for my AS level classes and didn’t bother with A level. In AS level my goal in life became clear. I wanted to be a diplomat. I wanted to support anything concerning human rights. I wanted to go for conferences and meetings to discuss thing that would actually make a difference in the world today. It was then that I realized that I wanted to work for an international organization.

Now I am in college. Here I have a different mindset. Instead of thinking about what I want to be, I find myself thinking about how I am going to get there. I guess the difference is that when I thought of my many career choices I never really thought of the process it would take to get there. Here, however, everything and everyone plays a part in getting you to a certain place along your path. In high school my mindset was “I want to be ____, once I finish school I will start working.” Then, in college you realize you have to think of grad school, internships, experience. There are so many things that employers look for today because of the increase in work force. Right now my goal at Manchester is get as much experience I can get and to have fun doing it. Another one of my goals is to make it to every single one of my 8 am classes on time (It is a struggle). Winter will be my worst enemy. Wish me luck!

Tobechukwu Nwaelugo ’18 came to Manchester University from Nigeria. Currently pursuing a Political Science major and International Studies minor, she hopes to go to Law School and work for an International Organization. 

Since my daily activities almost always include scrolling Pinterest for way longer than I would like to admit, sometimes I try to search things that may actually benefit me in the long run.  So yesterday, instead of looking up current fall fashion or Halloween costumes, I decided to search ways to save money in college because every college student I know seems to be perpetually broke. So here is a list of money saving ways to live your life as a college student:

• Only use paper money because it is much harder to physically hand money to a cashier than just swiping a card. This works especially well when you only take out a certain amount of cash to live on until your next paycheck so you can only spend that amount. Leave your debit/credit card in your room. And, to save even more money, every time you have a $1 bill and any spare change, save it and put in in a jar or container in your room to save up for a big trip or purchase (or your next school bill).
• Go to free events with free food! There are so many fun opportunities on campus with fun things to do instead of spending money to go out with friends. Attend clubs and go to MAC events!
• Try to avoid going out to eat (even on Sunday nights if possible) because eating out really puts a dent in your wallet. However, if you do go out to eat, order water instead of another drink to save a few dollars.
• Wherever you go, ask for student discounts! You will be so surprised at the amount of places that offer student discounts. Most places do not advertise the discount but they will give it to you if you ask. A few places I found that provide discounts are Arby’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Burger King, Charlotte Russe, Dairy Queen, Goodwill, McDonald’s, Papa John’s, Pizza Hut, Subway, and many more! It doesn’t hurt to ask!
• Before going to the store and going shopping, make a list and stick to it. Do not purchase anything not on your list. If you see something else you would like, write it down and keep in on a list for next time. Then go back over that list later to see if you still want that item. Do not buy something without thinking about it first.
• Create a budget! Many college students have a hard time budgeting their money so all you need to do is look up a free printable budget and start saving money!
• Download apps to help you save money! There are so many apps out there that help you budget money, and some even link to your purchases and can inform you what you spend the most money on.
• Shop at thrift shops, make your own gifts, and live frugally! Try to buy/make anything you can as cheaply as possible!
• Continue applying for scholarships! You can still receive scholarships while in college! Try checking out our university website or just doing a google search.
• Finally, sharing is caring! Borrow things from other students and allow them to borrow from you! Asking to borrow their package of ham in the fridge may be out of line, but clothes and school supplies are fair game!

I hope these tips help you become billionaires! (If so, you could always donate a little of that to the person who gave you all the ideas. Nudge, nudge, wink, wink.)

Delaney Ray '19 is a Psychology and Sociology double major with a minor in Criminal Justice. She works as a Student Orientation Leader and a Library Desk Assistant in addition to blogging for MU. She never thought she would be a blogger, and her dream job is to work for the FBI in the behavioral unit.

This is a list of my gotta-have apps! Anything from entertainment to functionality. These apps are my lifesavers!

1. TED: This is my all-time favorite app. I absolutely love it. Call me a nerd, but I love listening to Ted talks online. This app allows you to pick the genre of talk you want to hear and choose how much time you have to listen. It will compile a playlist of Ted Talks based on what you choose! I like to listen to it while I get ready in the morning. I set the timer for 40 minutes and usually choose inspirational as my genre. It’s the perfect motivation for my morning!
2. Any.Do: I’m really big on making lists. The only problem? I am constantly losing my list. This app is the perfect solution. It is the ultimate list making app! It has categories where you can make lists for school, work, life, today, tomorrow, anything you want! When you complete a task, it strikes a line through the typing. It’s simply satisfying.
3. Weather Pup: I don’t know about you, but I check the weather every morning when I wake up. Get rid of that boring Apple weather app and trade it in for Weather Pup. It’s much more adorable and makes you feel all warm in fuzzy inside, even if the weather outside is less than stellar.
4. My Fitness Pal: This is a health and fitness app that helps you track food and exercise. It gives you nutritional facts on just about any food possible. You can also link any type of fitness tracking devices to it. This app helps me to keep track of what I’m eating and how much activity I do throughout the day!
5. Toy Blast: Everyone has that one timewaster app… unfortunately this is mine. I like to think of it as a combination of Tetris and Candy Crush. Warning: This is an addicting game.
6. Step Out!: If you’re like me, you know how hard it is to get out of bed in the morning. Have you ever pressed snooze one too many times and missed class? Yeah, me too. This app has two choices for setting your alarm and only allows 2 snooze buttons. Depending what method is chosen, this alarm clock will not shut off until either 20 steps are taken or a previously programmed picture is retaken. For myself, my alarm will not shut off until I take a picture of my bathroom sink. This app forces me to get out of bed!
7. Spotify: Music is the one thing that can keep me sane. This app allows me to make a playlist for every occasion. I have playlists for anything from chill Sunday mornings to pump up music before basketball!

I hope you find some of these apps helpful to you! The best part? All of them are FREE, every college student’s favorite word. 

Katie Byers '18 is a biology-chemistry major & business minor. A member of the women's basketball team, she plans to study abroad in New Zealand in February 2017, and her dream job is to work at an orthopedic hospital.

Mannerisms. Mannerisms are the little habits we have that make us, us. Recently, I was having a car-lunch with a good friend of mine and we started talking about the mannerisms that we have picked up over the years. We talked about how we laughed, the different phrases we use every day, how/when we roll our eyes and many, many more!

FOR EXAMPLE! I have a series of laughs that I have, none of them my own (call me the Laugh Grabber), but I had some kind of weird attraction or vibe about a certain laugh that someone I had been interacting with. So the way I laugh is the product of several different people that I know. When you’re honest with yourself, you’ll find that you’re a dirty, dirty mannerism thief.

ANOTHER EXAMPLE! I have a habit of saying really, really random phrases when I don’t know what else to say. Two off the top of my head that I can think of would be, “Yeah... white people are the worst,” which is always a hit to say in front of old, white women who take you seriously. In comparison, another would be saying, “Wow, thanks Obama” after someone complains about their professor’s teaching skills. Totally unrelated, but always gets a laugh... except that one time. Weeeeeeeee shouldn’t reflect on that day. Four words, one letter. Kicked. Out. Of. Chuck E. Cheese.

Then I started to think a little deeper (because that’s what cool people do, right?), but I asked myself a question. Are any of us original? Think about it. The things we do and say have been done and said by a thousand people before us. We come into contact with a massive amount of people in our lives and we develop relationships with one another. These little characteristics that we pick up over the years are what makes us into who we are, BUT does that take away from our individuality? What do you guys think?

After pondering like I do (just got a weird visual of myself as “The Thinker” sculpture, completely naked in the middle of a museum), I believe the hundreds of mannerisms and habits we pick up make us into the individual we want so bad to be. We steal people’s traits, but they all add up to this perfect product called, “you!” No other person on the entire planet has every single mannerism and/or habit that you do! How beautiful is that?! Nothing should make you feel like more of an individual than the little things that you say or do in certain situations. You laugh weird? CELEBRATE! You bite your nails when you’re nervous? Flip people off with that jagged, chewed-on nail that they’re making fun of. I think we should all celebrate the little, weird things we do that make us, us... because WE are flippin’ awesome.


Stratton Smith ’17 is an English major, hailing from a small town just east of Indianapolis. Stratton is the captain of the tennis team, co-founder of Academic Probation, Manchester's improv troupe, and Vice President of the Theatre & Society club.

If you asked a group of people what a root was, you would receive many different answers. Some would say that it is the part of the plant that attaches to the ground and nourishes the plant. Others would say that it means to establish something firmly. As a senior Communication Studies major, sometimes I feel like a traveling plant with a root that can be planted in any environment. When I was home, my root was firmly planted into the ground. My family, teachers, and friends would water me with their ideas, information, and love. Although, I still receive these things in college it feels like I’m a plant in its own pot. In other words, my friends and family can see me grow, but they can only help out so much. Eventually, I have to become self-sufficient and plant my root into a stable place.

During this summer at my marketing internship at Asher Agency, I learned how to become independent and gain confidence in myself. My mentor, Faith Van Gilder, inspired me to become unafraid of new experiences and that it was okay to experience them alone. When I was a first year, I was afraid of eating meals and going to different places alone at school, but now I look forward to it. Although I am an extrovert and spend time with many friends, I still feel self-conscious about certain decisions that I make. However, during this summer I learned to not be afraid of achieving my goals. My biggest accomplishments were creating nine social media videos for Girl Scouts of Northern-Indiana Michiana and walking five miles alone. When I stepped on campus this fall, I was ready to conquer the world.

On October 1, I joined many Manchester students to celebrate Nigeria’s Independence in Fort Wayne. Keep in mind, I do not go to many Nigerian related events and this was the first time I was able to establish myself as a Nigerian woman without the influence of my parents. The party was amazing. We took so many pictures, ate, and danced the night away. While there, I made new friends that will last a lifetime. The next day, I decided to go to the Church of Brethren in the area for the first time. It was one of the most peaceful Sundays I had ever experienced. A great number of people within the area attend the church and you can feel the warmth. Believer or non-believer, I highly recommend attending a service if you are feeling stressed.  

Understanding all of these experiences, this homecoming weekend I felt scared and excited all at once. Looking at the all of the alumni, I learned what it meant to come from Manchester, but I also learned that I have big shoes to fill. After attending my last bonfire and carnival as an undergrad, I feel heartbroken because of all the things I will not experience anymore. However, I am happy to have some of the best friends in the world and memories that will last a lifetime. Although my roots were never firmly planted into to Manchester’s ground, I will forever take on all of the things I’ve learned from this place.

Rebecca Kabanzira and me at the Nigerian Party.


Bolanle Oladokun ’18 is a Communication Studies Major. Since she was a kid, she’s always loved to talk and frequently got into trouble at school for talking so much. She loves making people laugh, recording videos, and hanging out with friends. She’s happy to be able to use her gift to put a smile on people’s faces.

This time of the year is kind of magical. The leaves start changing from green to shades of red and orange, everyone brings out their sweaters and flannels, and everything is pumpkin flavored. It’s a time of the year that calls for change. It’s just 2 and a half months to 2017, and that’s a really terrifying thought. Didn’t 2016 just begin?

“October is about trees revealing colors they've hidden all year.

People have an October as well.” 

            I always thought fall was a great time for reflecting on my year, how I grew, changed, and became a better person. Like everyone, my year has been filled with ups and downs; it’s been a giant roller coaster. However, I’ve had several experiences in 2016 that have pushed me, and influenced who I am today. If you could choose a top five life changing-ish, experiences from 2016, and how they changed you as a person, what would they be?

            After a lot of thinking, typing and erasing, and staring at a blinking curser, I finally figured mine out. So here they are:

            1. On January 3, 2016, right at the start of the New Year, I left for 2 and a half weeks in Egypt. I went as part of a January Session trip, along with other students, two professors plus two friends, and three alumni of Manchester. I was taking Language & Thought, a communications class with several of the other students, the rest were taking a Religion class. It was an incredible experience. We spent two and a half weeks traveling through Egypt, cruising the Nile, touring Cairo, visiting temples and tombs, and learning all we could about it. I got to see glimpses of what it was like living in a place so different from the United States, and what life was like for them. As a Peace Studies major, the most powerful part was meeting people. Talking to them, and hearing their story was a really significant part of the trip, and of my year. It helped me realize pieces of myself, and shaped what I want to do in my life working in Nonviolence.

            2. On February 6th 2016, just one day after my 20th birthday, my niece, Juniper Aude, was born. It was one of the best days of my life. It made me realize all that I am, what I care about most, and the kind of person I want to be when she grows up. I want her to see a strong, courageous aunt, one who's passionate about what she does, and is surrounded by people she loves. That’s the kind of person that she made me want to be, and she helped me find my inspiration.

            3. Around March of 2016, I thought I wanted to transfer. I’ve mentioned in previous blogs about that decision, and how I later changed my mind, and decided to stay at Manchester (yay, go Manchester)! But it really made me realize what was important to me, the kind of people and friends I wanted to surround myself with, how important my family is to me, and what I wanted to do with my life and my degree. It was a very influential time for me, and I learned what my values truly were. I’m so happy that I decided to stay here in North Manchester. I feel so at home, and supported here. I know there are people here that care about me, and that’s the kind of place I wanted, and needed to be a part of.

            4. In May of 2016, I moved to Chicago for the summer to be the nanny for my niece. I lived with a family friend on the North side of the Windy City on the lake, and I mean right on the lake. Every morning I would commute to my sister and brother-in-law’s house, about a 30 minute train ride, and spend the day with my niece. She was just over 3 months old when I got to Chicago in May. It was one of the best ways I could spend my summer, even though I had to wake up early, work some weekends, and change a lot of diapers. I got to watch her grow, and change every day. I saw her learn how to laugh, and smile. I saw the first time she sat up, and watched her learn to scoot across the floor. I wouldn’t have wanted to spend my summer doing anything else!

            5. Starting my Junior Year at Manchester has been a really significant time of my year, and kind of my life. I felt like I was at a really good place in general, with my friends, with school, and with myself. I really feel like I’m figuring myself out, and where I’m going in life. I’m starting to think about after college, what I’m going to do, and where I’m going to be. I’ve changed a lot in just the month and a half-ish that I’ve been at school, and I’ll probably change a lot more by the time 2017 rolls around.

            This is my October. I’m revealing colors that I’ve hidden all year. This is the best time of the year to change. It’s magical because the earth is changing in a million different ways, so why not change with it? 

Hannah Brown '18 is from Yellow Springs, Ohio. She is majoring in Peace Studies with a focus on Social Justice. She also works as a Student Ambassador at Manchester.

    

It only took the general idea of loved ones to actually stir up my emotions. I was sitting at the lunch table when I overheard someone mention something about their mum. It was like instinct to check my cell phone to see if my parents had maybe tried to contact me, perhaps a text that I hadn’t seen yet because my phone died, I was actually hoping. I checked my phone and my dad had actually sent me a text saying “college will get harder as you go on but the fact of the matter is that you have to go on, we are praying for you. I love you, Daddy.”  I never understood why my dad would sign his name with every first and last text he sent. I still don’t understand. However that isn’t the point, seeing that message for some strange reason triggered a whole bundle of sadness.

The realization of how far away from home, how I couldn’t visit my family whenever I pleased, it made me sad. Suddenly I lost my speech and I didn’t feel like being “social”. Being antisocial was a very tempting idea that I decided I would go through with. I stopped talking to people around me and suddenly seemed mad. Now this behavior may be very common, but the problem is, I am always happy. My friends weren’t used to that transition from loud and too happy to angry and teary. Obviously they knew something was wrong. The more they asked me, the angrier I got. It bugged me that they wanted to know what was wrong with me. I didn’t want to tell them, at least not in person. The simple fact was that I missed my father and it pained me that the only way I could speak to him was a cell phone. I mean, I could’ve Skyped, but that doesn’t mean I could hug him.

Okay, I know I’m in college, I should have seen it coming, but I am and have always been, daddy’s little girl (even though I am the first born); that is just something that is hard to get rid of. The smell of coffee would remind me of my dad, because he doesn’t drink coffee. I base everything I see around me on my family; maybe that’s why I miss them so much. Back to the point, after the whole dinner scenario, I went to my room and was disappointed that my roommate wasn’t there. Then again, I couldn’t really expect her to be there for every single problem I had. I sat on my bed and cried for what could be the longest before I got a text. This text was sent from my SOL sister and it read “I love TOBE, don’t cry”. She called me by my traditional name. I couldn’t help but laugh because I know how she has always been trying to call me by the name given to me by my dad. The caring didn’t stop there I got a Snapchat from a friend of mine that I would least expect to care. She asked me how I was doing, I said I was better. She then replied “Good! Grandma loves you!” (How she became my grandma is a story for another day). She took a ridiculous picture that just brought out the widest smile of the day.

Now, why did I decide to tell you this story? Easy! These people who took it upon themselves to comfort me knew me for no more than 4 months. I knew I had friends in Manchester, but these people were angels sent from above. They didn’t give me the love that my father would have, but they gave me a love that my father wouldn’t be able to give me.  People usually say it’s the thought that counts—they gave more than a thought to those messages. They carefully selected phrases that they knew would make me laugh, GENIUS! After realizing that I have somewhat of a family at this college, my roommate showed up, and like always, she sealed the deal. She gave me the same heart felt hug that I had received on my first week in school and my tears vanished. I don’t know what it is about the people in Manchester, but whatever it is, it should stay. I have the best friends I have ever made and I made them at this college. Most of my friends aren’t even from North Manchester, but they are all from Manchester University. Now, as a Junior, it takes a lot to make me unhappy; I just have a lot happiness at this college. Everyone is MY family.  I appreciate the love I received; I feel the need to share my Manchester with the world.

Tobechukwu Nwaelugo ’18 came to Manchester University from Nigeria. Currently pursuing a Political Science major and International Studies minor, she hopes to go to Law School and work for an International Organization. 

So as many realize, North Manny and MU isn’t located in the biggest area with much to do. But that is okay because there are plenty of things to entertain during the week and on weekends. It is a little different for me right now compared to other students since my fall baseball season ended. Let me tell you what I do!

I can’t really state what I do day in and day out because my schedule varies. In the mornings my calendar is full. I always eat breakfast each morning. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I have two classes, where I start at 10am and end at 12:50pm. Tuesday and Thursday I have three classes, where I start at 8am and end at 12:15pm. The rest of the time, I’m free! Other than eating three meals a day, I have all that free time! When morning turns to afternoon, I filter my time between working out and doing homework. Normally, working out takes some time because I like to lift with friends, and 97.8% of the time lifting with friends takes longer than doing it by myself. Usually I lift in the late afternoon, so after class and eating lunch I go back to my room and do as much homework as possible. If I feel like procrastinating instead, I pick up my guitar and play and/or I try to learn new songs as I am just a beginner.

As evening comes, I am usually still doing homework (having 5 core classes isn’t fun J). I take breaks every now and then, and one break comes from eating dinner. I try to finish all the homework I have before 6:30 or 7 if I can so I can have the nights to do whatever I want. Nights are my favorite time of the day because it is my time to socialize, if I don’t have more homework to do. Sometimes there are VIA’s, and I go to them so I can get them out of the way and not have to worry as much about going during baseball season. Also, I live in Schwalm (the best dorm on campus) and for the past couple of weeks some floormates and I have migrated to the lobby to play pool. This has turned into a nightly thing. You can usually find me there or roaming first floor. If you can’t find me in either of those two places, there are three options: I am doing homework in the library, I am doing homework in my room, or I am just in my room watching a random game that’s on TV with my roommate and/or playing guitar again.

On the weekends during the day you can normally find me in my room doing homework. (Yes, I usually have a lot of homework.) My breaks usually consist of watching college football or playing basketball. Saturday and Sunday afternoons are usually spent similarly. I do homework and watch football the entire time. I do take off Friday nights and Saturday nights so I can hang out with my friends and play more pool, cards, watch games if it’s Saturday night, or go to random events that are on campus. As stated before, my situation is different than a majority of students on campus. As many students go home on the weekends because they live close, I live 3 – 3 1/2 hours away. Going home still is an option, but it isn’t too feasible for me.

I come from a bigger city where there are always things to do each and every night. When I finally decided Manchester was the school for me, I will say I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to find things to do and die of boredom. Now that I’m here, I see it differently. Various clubs, events on campus, and being with friends will keep someone busy. Oh, and homework. Homework will definitely keep you busy! Either way, if anyone has doubts like me about not having enough things to do, take it from me: Do. Not. Worry. Manchester has plenty of things to do each week for every student on campus.


Nick Rush '20 is studying Sports Management and plans on minoring in another business area. He plays baseball for MU, and he plans on working in the sports industry after graduation.

I grew up in the Midwest, but when I began looking at colleges, I was determined to go as far away as possible. I was seeking sunshine + blue skies year round. Obviously that’s unrealistic, but I denied anywhere could be as “weather moody” as Indiana. In my head, the cons of choosing to stay in Indiana far outweighed the pros.

But, then I visited Manchester for the first time, almost exactly three years ago. I still remember the day being my *ideal* fall day – crisp, but warm air, trees in mid-color change, and bright sunshine. I had walked all over campus on the tour and to meet with coaches, professors, my admissions counselor. I remember taking in all the natural beauty of campus, imagining myself here, feeling like I belonged. And then it hit me. If I moved away from the Midwest I wouldn’t experience fall, my all-time favorite season. I’d miss out on pumpkins, changing leaves, warm + crisp air, fresh applies, campfires, warm drinks, + other basic things.

When fall hits, sometimes it’s slow and steady, other years it smacks you right in the face as soon as summer ends, and because this is Indiana, sometimes it’s a mix between summer, fall, and winter until it settles out. It’s a little unexpected + unpredictable. But no matter on how the weather feels, you can count on flannel, pumpkin spice, and picturesque fall pictures to fill every part of your life.

After fall rolls around I can’t help but feel a shift of heart. A shift from feeling like I need to move + be anywhere from the Midwest. A shift into falling more in love with living in a town + state that changes seasons. A shift into believing I could see myself staying in North Manchester.

What do you love about the Midwest + the shifting seasons? 


Karly Prichard ’18 is a Communications major from Warsaw, Ind. Her dream job is to do freelance writing, consulting, and photography for small businesses and non-profit organizations. 

There comes a time in life when independence seems like a burden, and in college, those times can come multiple times a day. You have to do your own laundry, make sure you’re eating right so you don’t get sick, go grocery shopping, do homework, and most importantly, keep remembering to do all these things. There’s no one hovering over your shoulder, or shouting down the hall, asking that you wake up, or reminding you about your Spanish paper tomorrow. It’s completely up to you to manage your own life.

I’ve managed this so far by keeping things relatively routine. If I have any homework at all, I don’t go out. I do laundry every other weekend. I go to the same clubs to ensure I have enough time to do my homework each week. And by getting all of my homework done, I can calm my anxiety enough to take a step out of my comfort zone, and try something new. In this way, I’ve managed to keep relatively good grades without feeling like I’m missing out on my college experience.

This week, I was faced with a decision that challenged my safe philosophy. As a first year, there are certain activities I am required to meet outside of the classroom. Often times, they are events you can pick and choose that you want to go to, but the Career Expo was non-negotiable. This worked out just fine for me, of course, falling right into my routine of doing exactly what I’m supposed to. However, another opportunity popped up soon after, to travel to Indianapolis for a Moral Revival event, to hear leaders speak on social issues. It hadn’t occurred to me to ask to go because I knew it was on the same day as the Expo, but a friend of mine, also a first year, got permission from our first year seminar professor to attend the Revival instead. On an extraordinary whim, I signed up last minute, and convinced myself that it was okay, because I wouldn’t be the only one to miss the Expo, and reminded myself I could go next year.

When that same friend bailed out last minute, I panicked. No one I was close friends with was going on this trip. I would be leaving campus, and wouldn’t be back until late, with a stack of homework waiting for me. I couldn’t decide what I wanted to do, and even when my friends implored me to just stay home, I couldn’t make up my mind.

I had about an hour left till departure when I decided just to go for it. The professional positions listed for the Career Expo didn’t appeal to me, and the revival, unlike the Career Expo, wouldn’t happen every year.

So I rode in a minivan for two hours, and met up with some people I didn’t know, had a very pleasant dinner with them, and went to the Revival. I may not have left campus with any close friends, but I’d like to think I returned with some. And yes, I did get back very late, and my anxious mind was trying to figure out when homework was going to be done, and how I’d be able to get up for class in the morning, and all I could really bring myself to do was go to bed.

This was my decision, and I’m very glad I made it, because I learned more about my situation here at college than I think I did from the Revival, which is saying something. It hit me that a college education doesn’t just happen in the classroom. I didn’t have to go to the Moral Revival, but because I did, I know more about our economic and social standing here in America. I know that gas station coffee can be just as good as any coffee if it’s late enough, and I learned not to hinder my education into a routine. That’s high school. That’s mandatory education. College was my choice, this education was my choice, and if getting the most of that means I have to stray from my comfortable routine, struggle to finish homework or get up in the morning, and even miss out on another opportunity, like the Career Expo, I’ll do it. Because learning what you choose to learn is a college education. Besides, there’s always next year.

Kelleen Cullison ’20 is pursuing an English major and minors in Journalism and Peace Studies. She hopes to work as an editor for a publishing company, and hopes to help current and prospective Manchester students avoid the mistakes she is currently making.

When I was a perspective student I was eager to make connections at MU. Much of the encouragement came from my dad, but also from my own desire for relationships and to hear stories. The more time I spend at MU, the more I discover how much I thrive on stories – hearing, telling, sharing. I continue to learn how important daily conversations + story telling are in my life, with people I’ve formed deep relationships with, but also those I pass around campus and everyone in-between.

A few months ago a friend was telling me why he chose to come to Manchester and why he continues to love being here more + more. He was sharing that he loved that he could walk around campus and always see someone he knew; he could wave, say, “hey,” or stop and have a conversation. He said when he visited he even felt instant connection, like he belonged here, and knew MU was the school for him.

Throughout our conversation, much of what he shared deeply resonated with my own story. I found myself quietly saying, “Me, too. Me, too!”

I was crafted for community, for conversations, for relationships, and I believe that’s true for so many at Manchester. We thrive because of it.

MU’s community isn’t fabricated. It’s not idealized. And it’s not just a lens used to share about the university. It’s real. It’s authentic. And it’s molding and challenging me to discover more about my own story, tune in + really listen to others’ stories, and learn how to share stories. 

Karly Prichard ’18 is a Communications major from Warsaw, Ind. Her dream job is to do freelance writing, consulting, and photography for small businesses and non-profit organizations. 

As a member of Black Student Union (BSU), I was able to attend Circle City Classic XXXIII last Saturday in Indianapolis. There were thirteen of us total, and to my delight, five of them were my SOL babies. We left the Intercultural Center around 10am and those of us who were still tired (being that we normally sleep well into the afternoon on weekends) were quickly woken up by the music and extremely off-key singers in our wonderful white van. We rocked out, sang, and snapchatted our friends all the way to Indy. After parking, we went out in different directions to find lunch and met back up around 2:30pm to head to Lucas Oil Stadium for the game. Kentucky State University and Central State University were the teams playing and not many of us had a large preference for who should win, so we just sat and watched in indifference. As it turns out, it is actually quite hard to watch a football game without caring about the outcome, as seen by looking down the line of our MU crew all fighting off the urge to take a nap. Halftime was definitely the coolest part as the marching band from each school preformed against each other in the Battle of the Bands. They danced around, making words and symbols in various formations, and riled up the crowd. After halftime, the Eboard members gave us the option to stay and watch or leave and wander around Indy, and the majority of us chose the latter. Many of us headed to the mall to shop and eat (buying a large and fabulous pretzel was my goal of the trip), and much to the dismay of our bank accounts, we even purchased a few things. After meeting back up, we headed to Walmart to purchase decorations and snacks for the upcoming Stoplight Dance and then headed home, laughing and singing the whole way back.





Delaney Ray '19 is a Psychology and Sociology double major with a minor in Criminal Justice. She works as a Student Orientation Leader and a Library Desk Assistant in addition to blogging for MU. She never thought she would be a blogger, and her dream job is to work for the FBI in the behavioral unit.

I have officially been at Manchester University for one whole month. A month is longest I’ve been away from Minneapolis, it’s the longest time I’ve gone without seeing my mom, and it’s the longest I’ve been away from my bed. I will experience around 1,080 months in my life (giving myself the benefit of the doubt and hoping I make it to 90). That means that this month is .09% of my life (look Mom, I can still do math!) and is a blip on the timeline of my life. That being said, it’s been a good blip.

My first real week was rough with a capital R. Every single thing I did made me think; ‘I wasn’t ready to live alone. I was not prepared for this and this can’t really be happening. Someone come get me right now.’ Before I left home my mom told me; ‘Your first day will be nothing like your tenth day, and your first month will be nothing like your third month, and your first year will be nothing like your last year.’ College is a weird state of semi-permanence. Things change quickly, but routines start forming and last for a long time. My first week was nothing like this week. This week I started my jobs, started talking to new people, and felt happy even when I was alone.

This month taught me that I can live alone, and work, and be a student, and have a social life. And weirdly, my friends and I tend to have emotional crises at the same times. So last night we sat on a blanket in the middle of the mall and took care of each other. That happens at Manchester because everyone here values each other. I feel entirely confident that if I was sad, or lonely, or panicking, I could’ve gone up to any person walking by and asked them for help and they would’ve been there for me.

I trust complete strangers here more than I trusted some of my friends at home. I like that I am never the smartest person in the room, and everyone has something to offer to me and they do offer it, with open arms. So maybe my next month will be nothing like my first month, but I certainly hope they are similar. 

Virginia Rendler ’20 is a Peace Studies major, and is hoping to double major in English, as well as double minor in Spanish and Visual Art. She loves animals and is a Leo.

Have you ever met someone and just instantly developed a connection? All of a sudden, you feel as though you’ve known them your whole life and feel warm and fuzzy inside. As a Circle K treasurer, this is what I experience every time I meet someone new in the organization. For those of you who don’t know, Circle K international is an international organization that promotes service, leadership, and fellowship with over 13,000 members. Manchester University’s chapter of Circle K is in the Northern Plains district of Indiana. Northern Plains also includes Ball State University, Grace College, IPFW, and Trine University. Over the course of two weeks, we had two successful events and a significant increase in the number of club members.

The best event was an interclub sponsored by Huntington University’s Circle K. An interclub is when at least two members from another club fellowship or complete a service activity together. My friend Cassie and I did not have a ride and so Sarah Gruenewald the President of Huntington University’s Circle K offered to pick us up and go to the event in Fort Wayne. Now, you’ll learn fast that the Circle K family has a long-standing tradition of Steak and Shake runs with each other. It’s cheap, fast, and delicious. Also, I can exchange loving gazes with the Red Bull refrigerator and reluctantly sigh because my wallet and heart can’t bear to buy another beautiful can. The fries are crispy and piping hot like golden pieces of angel hair. The burgers are cooked to perfection. The shakes are thick and sweet like my grandma. Besides the food, I loved connecting with other college students who were from different areas of Indiana. After a while, you realize that your problems aren’t as bad as you thought. In the end, we are all coming together for a cause greater than ourselves and that’s commendable considering all of our individual stresses.

After Steak and Shake, we went to Crazy Pins. Crazy Pins has bowling, karaoke, putt- putt, laser tag, bumper cars, and an arcade. We had originally planned to go glow bowling, but all of the lanes were too full and there was an hour-long wait. That said, putt-putt was just as great and we had a wonderful time. Word of advice: putt-putt is a great stress reliever. My friend, Cassie beat me and I feel embarrassed to share my score. Who knew putt putting was a dangerous sport? That day, I hit everything except the hole.  No one was injured in the making of this blog.

All in all, we had a great time. I am honored to serve as a treasurer of Circle K. I am grateful to be a part of an organization with members who are so dedicated that they do not mind driving 35 minutes out of their way to take you to an event. I’m excited to see what the future holds because if this is just the beginning I can only imagine how this year will turn out.

Bolanle Oladokun ’18 is a Communication Studies Major. Since she was a kid, she’s always loved to talk and frequently got into trouble at school for talking so much. She loves making people laugh, recording videos, and hanging out with friends. She’s happy to be able to use her gift to put a smile on people’s faces.

The summer after graduation, a couple of my friends and I wanted to do something continuously so we could all hang out a lot before we parted for college. Our mission was accomplished in a way where we all had fun, even if we invited others with us. We had weekly corn hole tournaments!

We called ourselves KCK, the Kountry Cornhole Klub, for reasons that must be unmentioned because of club rules. We were actually pretty serious about winning each week because there was something on the line other than just bragging rights: The Championship Belt. It was so great to have it because the holders could brag nonstop about them winning it until the next time we played. We designated a house for the week and we all pitched in money to help buy food and drinks. We even made up our own rules, which is the picture on the left!

I won the very last tournament we had, which means I was able to keep the belt! This is my partner Tyler. Granted we didn’t do well early in the tournaments, we won at the right time, which is what matters most. The picture on the right is the belt hanging proudly in my room so I can show it off.

Now being in college, I don’t really want to stop playing corn hole. Here at MU we have MAC, Manchester Activities Council. They are in charge of planning different events for students. Being on campus for about four weeks, I am not a part of it. But my plan is to join MAC where I hope to help plan a huge corn hole tournament for the MU students. There are two ideas in mind: one—have it last over the course of a weekend, or two—make it into an intramural style event, where the games are spread out over a week or a few weeks. My other idea, if MAC doesn’t work out how I hope, is to just make a corn hole club. This way I will get those who like to and want to play every so often. For whichever one works out, I plan to create a tournament or some competition. That way, students have the best of both worlds in having a fun game to play and a competition with a prize, such as a Casey’s gift card, free food, or even a championship belt (definitely not mine, though).  By the time I am a junior, I want to have this already accomplished, or have it already planned and ready to go for that year. I know I had fun doing weekly tournaments back home, so I’m hoping some MU students will want to do the same!

Nick Rush '20 is studying Sports Management and plans on minoring in another business area. He plays baseball for MU, and he plans on working in the sports industry after graduation.

Going to college is terrifying, at least for me it was. It was so foreign, the idea of leaving the only house I had ever lived in, leaving my family, my friends, filled me with fear and anxiety. But now, so much has changed. I’m in my junior year of college at Manchester, and I can’t imagine being anywhere else. But before I decided on Manchester, my parents and I had a laundry list of sorts of what I wanted in a school, in a new home.

Growing up, I never knew what I wanted to do with my life, and in high school, the idea of having to choose a major, and choose a career was stressful, to say the least. The only thing I knew was that I wanted to help people, I wanted to make a difference. However, it was like I had the option to major in helping people, or so I thought. When I visited Manchester, I found Peace Studies, and instantly I knew this was where I needed to be. I had never heard about, or visited a school that so welcoming. It felt like a place where I, and others, could be our true selves, our best selves.

Manchester is a place where you can grow, branch out, and bloom. It’s diverse in ways not visible to the eye, or to an outsider. You can be friends with anyone here, and you will be welcomed for who you truly are, an international student, someone who identifies as LGBTQA+, of any gender identity, any race or ethnicity, religion, socio-economic class, etc. You can play a sport, you can play a instrument, you can have rainbow colored hair, you can be anyone you want.

College is about finding yourself, and I talked about how I found myself at Manchester in my last blog, however almost everyone I’ve talked to found themselves here.

Lawrence Neumann is a junior Art major, and an Resident Assistant on campus. He’s also my best friend. Like most college students, Lawrence has had his ups and downs, and has grown and matured along the way. I asked him how he felt about Manchester one day, his reply was “Manchester is an open and accepting haven for everybody. You really can be anyone you want to be.” He told me how he felt welcomed and embraced at Manchester.

College isn’t just education, it’s also life experiences, it’s mistakes and mess ups, and wonderful moments with friends. It’s also one of the best decisions I ever made. It’s about being who you really are, and figuring out who you are, so go somewhere where you can be yourself. Luckily, for me, that was Manchester. 

Hannah Brown '18 is from Yellow Springs, Ohio. She is majoring in Peace Studies with a focus on Social Justice. She also works as a Student Ambassador at Manchester.

One of the biggest of my fears my first few days of college was looking like a freshman, and I wasn’t alone. All up and down my hall, whispers and complaints about new student activities and schedules could be heard through open doors (because everyone keeps their doors open in Garver, duh. Only a 1st year wouldn’t know that). All around me was pressure to stay away from optional events and from organized ice breaker activities, for fear of looking like the new kid.

My advice? Embrace being a new kid, while you still can. First years are expected to be absolutely clueless, so take the learning opportunities while they’re being handed to you! Maybe make a fool of yourself, show up to class just a bit too early, ask a lot of questions. Figure it out now while it’s socially acceptable to be clueless. I guarantee most of the upperclassmen navigating campus like they own the place stumbled about just like you a few years ago. As for those of you who’d like some assurance before leaving the safety of the dorm, here’s what I’ve learned by venturing out onto campus.

1. Go to the Events, and Arrive Early

The Manchester’s Activity Council puts on so many events it’s ridiculous. In the past few weeks I’ve been here, there's been a Graffiti Party, a Glow Rage Party, and a movie shown on the school mall. Go, and enjoy the events put on for you. And get there early, because although there’s room for everyone at these events, there are always t-shirts. And it’s first come first serve.

     2. Keep Doors Open

Metaphorically, and literally. If you’re feeling isolated or like you're on the sidelines, open up your door for a while. There are people who will say hi when they pass by, or stop to check out your room, and to meet you as well. Warning; the open door does say to some people, just come on in (although it’s rare), and also lets in the noise from the hall. I don’t suggest trying this when you’re trying to study or nap.

   3. Your Dorm is Not the Ideal Study Spot

Think of your dorm as an apartment building. You are renting a room there, but so are a lot of other people. These other people are also paying for the right to do whatever they want (within reason) in their dorm. The difference between a dorm and an apartment building is that if you don't like your neighbors in the apartment, you can choose to lease elsewhere. With dorms, you get what you get, and you’re expected to make it work for the semester.

Studying is frustrating enough without the added stressor of other people. Take your books to a cafe or the library. Manchester’s Funderburg Library has special study rooms just for this purpose. There are three floors of separate tables and chairs to work by yourself or with a group. Get comfortable studying there, so you can just get plain comfortable back in the dorm.

   4. You Have Food Options

There are meal plan options that extend beyond the JYSC. You can use your card at Wilbur’s and the Oaks on a meal plan, without having to use your flex bucks. However, if you want certain items, or something from Ssisters, you’ll have to use flex or cold hard cash.

 5. There is No Way to do College Wrong

Manchester gives you opportunities to go to events, and sporting games, and clubs, but it’s up to you to decide which ones you want to be a part of, or if you want to be a part of them at all. If you want to go to all the football games, or stay in and watch Netflix, join seven different clubs, or spend your free time studying, that’s totally up to you!

These are your college days, and you get to experience them however and whichever way you decide!

Kelleen Cullison ’20 is pursuing an English major and minors in Journalism and Peace Studies. She hopes to work as an editor for a publishing company, and hopes to help current and prospective Manchester students avoid the mistakes she is currently making.

I wanted to write about a subject that I thought people could connect to and actually respond to. More than anything, I want to create a conversation that no one ever talks about. Manhood or manliness has been a sense of pride since the beginning of the species. Men have traditionally made their own roles within society and/or communities, then picked different roles for women, and unfortunately they have just stuck that way ever since. One thing I hear a lot of people say is, “that’s just the way it is.” I think that is crap. Ask WHY! WHY is something the way it is? The more often you do that, and are honest with yourself, the more you’ll develop as a human-being... but back to the subject of “being a man.”

“Boys have their bathroom. Girls have theirs.” Why?

“Women are better parents than men.” Why?

“Two men can’t get married.” Why? “Well, because a book written 200 years ago said so.” Oh... cool. Why? “Uhh... I dunno, it just did.” THAT’S WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT! FIND ANSWERS TO THOSE “why” QUESTIONS! Challenge your OWN logic!

Let’s get on the subject of body obsession. Oh, I’m sorry, I mean, working out and lifting weights. I’m here to tell you that muscles don’t matter, and especially not a Manchester. There are a crazy amount of students who would rather spend their time sculpting their bodies, rather than sculpt their minds. An argument I will hear is, “I work out so I can feel healthy and love how I look.” Loving how you look is really important, but it doesn’t start at the gym. Loving yourself is AAAAAALL brain, baby! The gym is great for developing strength, both for your mind and body, but it’s useless unless you continue to develop your mind and use the things you learn OUTSIDE of the gym. GUYS IN THE GYM! Dude, skip one day in the gym and just open a book to save your life! Also, if working out’s only mental benefit to you is, “lifting teaches me to never give up and keep moving forward.” That logic can be used in ANY sense! “Working in the drive-thru taught me to just keep pushing through and to never give up.” Same thing. “Pokemon hunting teaches me to never give up in finding the BEST Pokémon and to keep moving forward if I don’t find them.” It’s a bold statement, but I’ll make it. I think you can get more value out of playing Pokemon Go than lifting weights. Interpret that however you’d like, and I won’t explain myself, but think about things like that.

So then we have a huge debate/argument waiting to happen when talking about intelligence. CAUTION: I will NEVER say that men who lift weights are less intelligent than men who decide to do other things. BUT in contrast to that, I will NEVER say that men with muscles are manlier than men who read books. So we must define manliness. Since this is my blog (he said while overwhelmed with power), I’m going to tell you guys what I think a man is.

BIG MUSCLES MEAN NOTHING. Cool. You can pick things up and put them down. Here’s a heavy question, but if you’re honest with yourself, you can come to some really crazy conclusions: Does going to the gym make YOU smarter? If not, then why do you go to the gym? Why did men suddenly stop caring about their brains and how they treated people, rather than how big their biceps could get? Physical health is overwhelmingly important, but I’m here to say that it is not as important as your mental and psychological health. Another question! What’re you doing to make yourself smarter OTHER than going to class and doing homework? For me, it is being involved in things outside athletics. I challenge myself. THERE ARE ONE HUNDRED FOOTBALL AND BASEBALL PLAYERS THAT ONLY FOCUS ON BASEBALL/FOOTBALL AND DON’T JOIN ANOTHER CLUB/ACADEMIC GROUP THE REST OF THE YEAR. I just want to know WHY? Being a man is not surrounding yourself with people and always being comfortable. Being a man is emerging your mind into other dimensions of thought and doing things as an individual. How many people are out there who won’t do something because their friend won’t do it with them? It’s sad.

I’m a little everywhere with this rant, but let’s play Love Doctor for a minute. A lot of my friends come to me for relationship advice because I usually have the right/realest answers about things. GUYS! I’m here to tell you that muscles DO NOT matter to quality women. The best women are the ones who are attracted to intelligence. I’m not saying that a less intelligent person would be a bad spouse (Forrest Gump was pretty great), but for my personal taste, I look for intelligence. Someone who challenges their own thoughts and beliefs. So GUYS! Spend more time with your mind, rather than your muscles. Now, I’m overwhelmingly single, so you don’t have to take my advice, but I have been in relationships that I’m proud of and that were extremely healthy. I’ve also been on the opposite end of that.

So here is some assurance to those guys reading that are weak and scrawny like me! I’d like to stress to you that what you can do with your thoughts, ideas, and words is 10x more powerful than what someone could do with their fists. Yeah, getting punched in the face sucks... but so does roasting someone with a quote from Shakespeare and seeing the look on their face when they have no idea what is going on. I PROMISE being the smartest person in the room is more valuable than being able to lift the couch the highest/longest in the room. So everybody! Develop your morals, ethics, faith, political views, EVERYTHING, before developing your body. Think about what order of value things are in your life, then that is when you start going through the motions of finding out who you are and what makes you special.

Stratton Smith ’17 is an English major, hailing from a small town just east of Indianapolis. Stratton is the captain of the tennis team, co-founder of Academic Probation, Manchester's improv troupe, and Vice President of the Theatre & Society club.

First-years! You’ve officially been a college student for two weeks, congrats! Transitioning from high school to college is a big step. Talking from experience, in just two years here, I’ve grown so much as a person and have learned more about myself than I thought was possible. Learning how to live on your own and managing school, work, friends, and everything in between is hard work. It’s not as easy as it looks. From ruining a load of clothes when doing laundry to locking myself out of my dorm room, there are a few things I wish I would have known as a freshman.

1. Join a Club: Pick something you enjoy and take a friend. You’ll meet others with the same interests you have.
2. The third brownie is always less tasty than the first: Freshman 15 is a real thing. Make sure to establish limits when it comes to unlimited food in Haist Commons.
3. Get to Know Your Professors: Just do it. They’re here to help you. Trust me, it will be worth it.
4. You don’t need three different shades of the same scarf: Less is more when it comes to packing. Scale back on your clothing, it won’t matter by the time midterms come around. You’ll be bumming it every day anyway.
5. Ask for Help: Seriously. Everyone on this campus is willing to help you out… with anything. Whether it is your professor, an upperclassman, your RA, or SOL, they want to help you succeed. It’s better to ask for help now than to waste time on something because you were too scared to ask.
6. Social Media: This is a small campus. Faculty can and WILL see your posts. Don’t do anything stupid on social media that you wouldn’t want to show your grandma!
7. Wildcard Class: Take a class you never thought you would enjoy. I took a communications class and I loved it. You never know, it could lead to a minor of some sort in the end!
8. Own it: You’re considered adults now. You make a mistake; you take the blame. Own up, learn, and move on.
9. Don’t be Scared to Fail: There will be days you feel like you just ran into a brick wall and then were hit by a truck. It’s college. You’re going to fail at something. It’s inevitable. Don’t get too worked up about it. Just ask yourself, “Will this matter in 50 years?”, if not, move on, and learn from it.
10. Breathe: I know. It’s overwhelming, but these are the best four years of your life, so enjoy every bit of it. 

Katie Byers '18 is a biology-chemistry major & business minor. A member of the women's basketball team, she plans to study abroad in New Zealand in February 2017, and her dream job is to work at an orthopedic hospital.