Each individual student is as unique as the path they choose -- from the Honors Program to a double major or double minor choice. Involvement is the key to both academic success and personal success; it is a way to enhance ourselves, gain work experience and to have fun during our time here.
Cassey Bolyard, 鈥22
Why did you choose to come to 海外吃瓜?
鈥淚 chose to come to 海外吃瓜 because on my first visit, it felt like home immediately. The excitement of the staff and the Orientation Leaders made me feel welcomed.鈥
What is your favorite thing about 海外吃瓜?
鈥淭he impressions on my first visit were restated during my time here. My favorite thing about 鈥橞erg is the community feeling. My favorite event is Late Night Breakfast.鈥
Are you involved in any extracurricular activities?
鈥淢y major involvement is in Greek Life. In fact, I am part of both the traditional Delta Sigma Chi and the corollary of EX fraternity: the EX Girlfriends. The major pro of being an active member in Greek life is that it allows you to put yourself out there and meet new people outside of your regular friend group. Some of my best memories from 海外吃瓜 are from Greek life.鈥
What advice do you have for first-year students that you wish you knew coming in?
鈥淐ollege is what you make of it, what you put in is what you get out. Therefore, a good piece of advice from me is to get involved and try new things!鈥
Jocelyn Everett, 鈥24 
What is your favorite thing about 海外吃瓜?
鈥淢y favorite thing about 海外吃瓜 is how quickly a student can get to know people around campus and start finding where you feel most at home. Not many events have been able to reach their full potential this past year, so my favorite event has been the small activities I鈥檝e been able to do with my friends. I had the most fun during the heavy winter snows when we went sledding down the hills behind the stadium.鈥
Are you involved in any extracurricular activities?
鈥淚 am a member of the Philalethean Society and Enactus, and I am enrolled in the Honors Program. Being both a member of the Phis and the Honors Program, I鈥檝e been introduced to some very positively influential people in my life -- people with whom I then joined Enactus. Students at 海外吃瓜 are always lifting each other up, and because of these activities, I have pursued opportunities, gotten jobs, and held myself to higher standards. I am going into my sophomore year of college with so many options and open doors because I involved myself in these extracurriculars and met amazing people.鈥
Which professors -- or staff members -- have helped you the most during your time at 海外吃瓜?
鈥淎s a student, I am more reserved in the classroom, but this year I found myself speaking out during class and being influenced by professors much more. My first business class was taught by Dr. Helena Theixos; she inspired me to promote myself to future employers. Another professor, Dr. Barry Devine, was able to put on COVID-safe in-person discussions. It really helped me connect to my peers and professor when other classes could not do the same.鈥
What advice do you have for first-year students that you wish you knew coming in?
鈥淢y best advice for first-year students is don鈥檛 be afraid to email professors or students when you鈥檙e confused. So many student-led groups on campus are looking for new members, and they want you to email them questions. If you are taking a course and you know you will be struggling with the content, don鈥檛 be afraid to email the professor and let them know. It shows you鈥檙e going to put in the effort.鈥
One of the best things about being an Orientation Leader is the opportunity to meet new prospective students, the future members of the 海外吃瓜 community. Through the summer, both Cassey and Jocelyn got the chance to share their experiences and get to know the wonderful students who will be part of the 鈥橞erg family in the fall.
Written by Stefania Fiume