Editor’s note: During Welcome Week, GCU Today is featuring the daily thoughts of some first-year students as they get to know the campus. The most recent comments appear first.
TUESDAY
Travis Miller
TRAVIS MILLER
Talk about a full-tilt day:
“My roommates and I woke up early to go to orientation, and I liked it a lot. There was this part where they turned off the lights and they had everyone raise their phone light based on certain criteria that was shown on the screen. It looked really cool because I was sitting in the back of the Arena. I later met up with some friends and met a lot of interesting people from different states. They talked about what it was like living in a small town, which was cool.
“Then I went to another friend’s dorm to help assemble the massive amount of items they bought at Target — luckily, I’m all right with a screwdriver, and their room is looking really cool. I grabbed dinner at Panda Express and headed back to their place to eat. More people came over, and we all told stories — it was a ton of fun. After that I checked out the Esports Arena and played Smash Bros with a couple of guys and learned a lot.
“I originally wasn’t going to go to the Canyon Cooldown, but my buddy Hunter told me a couple of days ago to go to all the activities because it’s how you meet people. So decided to go and it was a blast. I rode one of the slides, played spikeball and a couple other games, including tag — I successfully chased down someone on the track team, but I tripped and tasted that nice turf. I also played volleyball, which was a fun way to get to know more people, then walked a friend back to her dorm because it was late. It was overall a REALLY fun day. I liked the Canyon Cooldown and just meeting new people.”
Parker Manitsas
PARKER MANITSAS
He had just said goodbye to his parents, who were heading back to Oregon.
“I sat in my RA’s (resident assistant) bedroom for a little bit …”
Then he began to take in that first air of independence.
“I came here to spread my wings – and get to the warm weather,” said Manitsas, who will study elementary and special education and behavioral health.
“Being from a super small town and I don’t know anyone, it’s fun to meet new people — all the time. Campus is a whole different world, open and inviting.
“I thrive on relationships and meeting new people. I’m an extrovert, so I look forward to the opportunities to meet people.”
Kennedy Herschberger
KENNEDY HERSCHBERGER
The accounting major stayed with her parents in their hotel room Monday night because her roommate hadn’t arrived yet.
“This morning I came on campus and helped my roommate move in, and then I had to go to orientation. Orientation was actually really fun. I thought the speakers were really good. The lighting thing, answering questions with lights — I thought that was so cool. Then we walked around the campus, which was fun, and I saw the business building (Colangelo College of Business). Then we came back and debrief, and I walked around campus and got the free stuff at the little popups and met some new people in my orientation group, which was really helpful because it was all Willow (Hall) people.
“I went to the Mail Center for the first time. It actually was nice and easy to do. I was surprised that it was such an easy thing to figure out. Then I worked on decorating and finishing my room. I ate lunch at Qdoba — it was pretty good. We don’t have any of that in my hometown (Fort Wayne, Indiana). We have Chick-fil-A in Fort Wayne, but there are a couple other places I want to try that I’ve never heard of. Nekter Juice Bar (which will be at The Rivers) sounds good, and I’ve never had Jamba Juice — I think they have it in Fort Wayne, but I’ve never had it.
“I also met my RA (resident assistant) today. It was a good first full day.”
MONDAY
KENNEDY HERSCHBERGER
After her flight landed at 11 p.m. Sunday, which felt like 2 a.m. to her because she was coming from Fort Wayne, Indiana, Herschberger spent much of Monday shopping for non-clothes items. After all, her suitcases had to be reserved for her clothes.
Then she arrived on campus, and getting everything into her Willow Hall room was a whole lot easier:
“All the students helped us. I thought that was nice. Having people carry stuff up to the room is very helpful.
“I’m excited for all the welcome events. Canyon Cool Down sounds pretty fun. I’m also excited just to walk around and get to know campus and not, hopefully, get lost on the first day.”
She also can’t wait for all the activities throughout the year:
“There’s a ton to do. Every night, I could be doing something different.”
TRAVIS MILLER
His degree program is Computer Science with an Emphasis in Gaming Simulation Development, so living in Encanto Apartments – just a stone’s throw from the Esports Arena in the Technology Building – is perfect. So was his arrival:
“I love the campus. Beautiful. Everyone out here today is just absolutely willing to help out. The buildings are in pristine condition. Everyone has a smile on their face. I’m just loving it so far.”
Miller said that when he visited on a Discover GCU trip from his home in Scripps Ranch, California, just outside San Diego, he immediately felt like he was “with a big giant family.” In fact, for his first night on campus he planned to have dinner with people he met on that trip.
“I really want to make new friends, meet new people. I want to be open to new experiences.”
Tristan John-Jandles
TRISTAN JOHN-JANDLES
He flew in from Toronto on Monday, got to campus and started hydrating. The desert heat was a something new for him.
But this was the impressions he sent back to family and friends in Canada once he was moved into The Grove:
“Campus is beautiful. It feels like a resort,” he said. “It feels like summer vacation.”
At least until his studies begin in Government with an Emphasis in Legal Studies.
Then he asked where he can get healthy food and went off looking for the Herd Stop, which has its own produce section.
The post First Impressions: What new students are saying during Welcome Week appeared first on GCU Today.