From the freshman’s perspective: New students share their experiences at UK
October 15, 2013
Madison Gunter
Adjusting to aspects of college life — like living in residence halls, avoiding the freshman 15 or keeping up with studies — is what students commonly discuss about their first year at UK.
As midterms approach, students are reflecting on their first few months on campus.
Electrical engineering freshman Zach Caldwell said the college transition has been smooth and he is enjoying the ride.
“I went home this weekend and I was ready to come back,” he said.
Caldwell, who lives in Central Hall I, said he enjoys the campus food and exercises regularly.
“The freshman 15 hasn’t affected me yet, thank goodness,” Caldwell said.
Like Caldwell, another student has been enjoying her college experience thus far, particularly living on campus.
“Living in the dorms is like living in a really nice hotel,” biosystems engineering freshman Lisa Sakamoto said. “Everything is so close to you. I walk everywhere.”
While various freshmen are enjoying the college experience, some disagree on the quality of their living spaces and the campus food.
Rachel Siegmeister, a merchandising apparel and textiles freshman, said she has made friends with the girls on her dorm floor, but she isn’t too pleased with the quality of her residence hall.
Siegmeister, who lives in Kirwan Tower, said she is trying not to gain the freshman 15 by exercising at the Johnson Center at least two times a week and not eating at Commons.
However, some students do not agree with Siegmeister’s assesment of the residence halls.
“(They are) not as bad as everyone made them out to be,” said Jillian Epperson said, a freshman communication disorders major.
Epperson lives in Kirwan II and said although classes are hard, she believes she is transitioning well. She avoids the freshman 15 by exercising whenever she can fit it into her busy schedule and by eating healthy.
“I don’t like Commons, but I do like Ovids,” she said. “I feel like it’s healthier, although it does get old after awhile.”
Making friends and being close to everything are perks that freshmen experience while living on campus.
“I would recommend all incoming freshman live in the dorms,” Epperson said. “It’s such a good experience. I’ve made so many friends.”