You're back! Now, it's time to adjust
to the new MU
by Abby Grimmett, posted Aug. 31, 2007
With one week of classes already underway, one would think students would be back in the swing of things. However, it seems to be taking a little more time for some to adjust.
While MU is making some changes around campus, many find the upcoming additions more of a hassle than anything.
“All of this construction is really making it even more difficult to get to class on time,” said Jim Mertzlufft, a junior business student.
Although upperclassmen have to deal with finding new shortcuts to class, some of the 5,027 freshmen students are indifferent to the changes on campus. Emily Albertson, a freshman agribusiness student from Chicago already feels at home. She and her friend, Samantha Wilkerson, are especially enjoying their freedom to do new things including a trip to Generic on Thursday’s "18-and-up Night." Wilkerson laughed as she also mentioned her adventures in a Pilates class that she went to for the first time.
Many out-of-state students claim one of their biggest difficulties is living in the climate that most Missourians have learned to deal with. When high humidity and heat index are mixed with beginning a new school year, students tend to become a little frustrated.
“I can’t stand [the heat],” said sophomore Beth Ford from Oregon. “It makes me need Zoloft.”
Ford is also finding it harder to adjust to a full campus. She remained in Columbia over the summer to attend classes and got used to having the sidewalks to herself. Now, “it’s like a sensory overload, especially at the rec. It’s always packed!”
With 13 weeks of the semester left, the veteran student remains optimistic.
“My main goal is to focus on maintaining my GPA and to do everything in my sequence to the best of my ability. That’s what I’m here for,” said Ford.
For new students, it might be wise to take Albertson’s advice. She explained that even though being in a class with 400 or more people may be totally different, she revels in the new experiences that have opened up to her.
“I really feel like I am in college now, and I love it.”
