By FATOU AMY FALL
Tiger Media Network
While it was a typical day for most people outside of Fort Hays State University, August 14th marked the beginning of a chapter for the newest first-year class at FHSU. A mix of emotions and feelings filled the air as parents and students arrived from different places to settle into their first-year residence halls. Behind all the hustle and bustle was a well-trained group of Community Assistants, ready to help the newcomers settle in successfully.
Every Community Assistant in every hall undergoes the same two weeks of training, starting at the beginning of August, with their community director, to ensure a quick and smooth move-in process. Each hall may share the same concept, but the method differs, especially for McMindes and Victor E. Hall, where the football team assists first-year students with moving in, as they have never lived on campus before.
For the vast majority of first-year students, move-in day was more a source of fear than actual struggles. The support they received from school was vital, making decorating choices the hardest part of the day for student Jayla Martinez,
“Rearranging the room was honestly the biggest challenge,” she said, reflecting how the hard work of Residential Life paid off.
A shared feeling was the anxiety of meeting their roommate and the wonder of the possibility of new relationships. Still, a common theme among freshmen was appreciation for the welcoming environment. Teachers, students, and staff all played a role in making the transition easier. Additionally, on the social aspect, a few new students had a hard time making friends, while others found it relatively easy. And a final piece of advice that came often from the freshmen to the next generation’s first-year students is to be organized and not to wait until the last second to start packing.
After several weeks, most freshmen say they’ve started finding their rhythm and feel more comfortable living in McMindes. Many mentioned how convenient it is to get to classes and campus events, as well as how easy it is to meet people simply by walking through the hall.
“The atmosphere is lively, and it’s easy to meet people,” FHSU student Hawa Ba said.
Balancing schoolwork and social life has been a learning experience for many. Students said they plan to study in the afternoon in order to be able to relax and socialize on evenings. Those involved in sports or clubs said it can be challenging to manage time, but that they’re adjusting.
“It’s like extra work, so I have less time to balance a social life next to schoolwork and the soccer program,” Delmoon Aho said.
Students describe McMindes as a place that’s both busy and connected.
“Sometimes I like it, and other times I feel like I came to this jungle,” Josue Lazarte said with a laugh.
While most agree the atmosphere is friendly overall, some freshmen said it can be hard to live in a community with so many people and personalities. A few said that not everyone they meet shows basic manners or respect.
“Managing my time completely on my own has been a challenge,” Josue Lazarte said. “But dealing with rude or disrespectful people has also been harder than expected.”
For most freshmen, living on their own has taught them the value of responsibility and a new perspective on life. Cooking, cleaning, and maintaining their own space became a major part of their routines. Aho noted that the most significant difference from back home was learning to handle everything independently.
“It’s new for me, because I am used to almost everything being done by my mom, but I’m slowly getting used to it,” Aho said.
Disregarding the few inconveniences of dorm life, many of the freshmen agree on the camaraderie at FHSU.
“My favorite part is the sense of community and all the new friends I’ve made,” Qara said.
Many also pointed out that the professors’ and administration’s help has made their first semester smoother.
“The professors always try to help you with what you need, even if it’s not part of their area,” Lazarte said.