By Braden Ochs | Echo
Let's face it: the first few months of freshman year can be exhausting. Moving your stuff into your cramped dorm room and meeting the people you have to live with all year is rough. Every day is an eternity when you meet 568 different faces; when you have to be a part of 56 events; when all 568 people ask you your name, grade, major and what dorm you live in. It's exciting, scary and sometimes annoying. Two upperclassmen opened up about this process and they have advice for those who are experiencing Taylor for the first time.
Cameron Eckmann
Junior, 4th Gerig
Cameron's main way to step out of his comfort zone was to do a social experiment on himself. Coming from the great state of Alaska, he didn't know anybody when he arrived. Cameron was nervous. According to him, he had to play a saxophone solo on the first day of Jazz Band. He said it was not the easiest or most comfortable experience, but now, he is a recognized saxophone soloists in the TU Jazz Band. He gives some advice on how he managed this:
"Try something you've never done before, and see how it goes."
After this experience, Cameron participated in Airband, small group and even intramural dodgeball.
"It was fun to try new things and meet new people, but don't feel like you need to press yourself and meet everybody."
We asked him what he wished he realized if he was a freshman again:
"The other thing that I had wished I'd known: deep relationships are a product of time, and you can't force it."
Luke Josten
Junior, 1st Breuninger
In high school, Luke was very reserved.
"Going to Taylor was initially very nerve-wracking for me."
The first couple of weeks didn't go so well for him. He didn't enjoy college much, and he felt like he was under a lot of pressure to get to know everybody.
"After I got used to the community and people I was around, I slowly got into deeper relationships with people and found deeper connections with people I never thought I'd have."
Luke also offered a solution of getting used to people around him and making friendships easier:
"You will never enjoy everything you try, but once you step out of your comfort zone, like Airband, 'Awk Walk' and different floor events, you can learn a lot more about yourself and what you can handle."
We asked Luke if he had any final advice for new freshmen on campus:
"Find something you enjoy doing: I enjoy League of Legends, for instance. I was able to play with other people and find those friendships."
These two juniors have loved their experiences here at Taylor. It may have been difficult to fit in at first, but they both quickly found friendships and discovered what they were good at. There is room for friendships and talent, and the student body hopes to spread that testimony. The first part of freshman year can be hard for most, but once you dive into it, it could be the most wonderful experience of your life.
