If your student happens to be one of those who is reticent to provide details about their college experience, don’t despair. There’s a group of Longwood freshmen who can fill you in.
They’re part of a project called My Life As A Freshman, and they’ve been sharing their experiences through journal entries and photos since orientation.
If you go to freshmanlife.longwood.edu, you can meet Averee, Bella, Brooklynn, Daniel, Heather, Hunter, Jayla, La’Mya and Timothy, and get the skinny on topics including
–What it’s like to live in a residence hall
–Fun traditions
–Campus activities
–Developing good study habits
–Making friends
…and much more
This is really a great bunch of students. Some are athletes, some are honors students. They’re in a variety of majors, from biology to communication studies. They come from all over Virginia (and one from out of state). There’s even a chance that one of them is friends with your student.
I can’t tell you how much fun I have had getting to know them—both through personal interaction and through reading their journal entries.
Here’s an excerpt from one of Bella’s entries:
“How lucky I am to be in a campus environment that is so beautiful. I love that when you come into town you can see where the campus begins and ends. I love that I can walk from one end to the other and be surrounded by such history. I love that the new buildings look like the past. I love that Longwood has continued so many traditions that I want to be a part of.
“So, yes, I do get homesick, and I do miss my friends and family. But I’m steadily making new friends, forging relationships with my professors and thinking about my future at Longwood.”
All of these freshmen have surprised me with their candor and introspection, and delighted me with their different personalities and their humor. They’re going to continue their journaling through the spring semester, so you can cruise through the archive for previous posts as well as keep an eye on their website for future reflections. Or you can sign up on the site to receive their entries via email. Here’s the URL again: freshmanlife.longwood.edu.
I know it’s not the same as hearing from your own student, but it’s a pretty good second-best. Bottom line: I really like these young people, and I think you’d like them, too.
All the best, Sabrina Brown
