By Kaitlynn Bailey
It’s a brand new year for students at the University of Louisville. With many new freshman as well as returning faces, there’s an energetic and infectious vibe on campus this August.
As all adjust to being in a new setting or returning back to familiar habits from years before, there are moments of uncertainty for even our most seasoned Cardinals.
Freshmen and new transfers have been given a world of opportunity to adjust to campus life and meet new friends as they gear up to begin their new chapter of life, but how is the rest of the student body feeling returning back to campus and their routines?
Jorge Bautista
Many returning students share the excitement of being back on campus. Second year student, Jorge Bautista, stated, “I feel great about being back on campus.” He said he’s excited to see his friends again and continue their traditions of studying and hanging out every day.
Bautista says he intends to fill his days on campus with lots of studying as hes prepares for an early graduation, but he’s not forgetting about the social side of campus. He also intends to join a few campus organizations and attend back-to-school events as well.
He says he is interested in joining the Young Democratic Socialists of America organization and attending the “Noche De Familia y Amigos” event hosted by the Latin Student Union in order to “meet new people with similar backgrounds and cultures.”
Overall, Bautista has a positive outlook to being back at U of L, and is planning on getting more involved now that he is more familiar with campus life as a whole.
Olivia Paris
On the other side of the student body, there are new faces joining the U of L community undergraduate programs that are also adjusting to life on campus.
Our graduate schools also have a plethora of fresh faces that are facing similar obstacles to freshmen and new transfers, even though they have more collegiate experience.
First year graduate student Olivia Paris is joining U of L from Spalding University. She is working on a Masters of Education in clinical mental health counseling, and is feeling the nerves of being new to campus.
She described campus as “daunting,” as she is still unfamiliar with the layout. However, she is overall excited for the new opportunities that will arise from being a part of the U of L family. Like many other students, she says she is also still unfamiliar with campus organizations and different events that are meant to help acclimate students.
She says she is looking forward to the many ways that U of L as a whole is going to prepare her for a professional career, both through a solid education and the many chances to make meaningful professional and personal connections.
Outlook
For many students similar to Olivia, it can be extremely overwhelming and nerve-wracking stepping out of a comfort zone.
Fortunately, U of L helps students find their way through the event calendar on its official website. This page allows students to view specific events tied to specific colleges or topics of interest.
Whether a student is interested in the Fall Garden Gathering and enhancing the beauty and sustainability of campus or attending career fairs to build professional connections, the calendar is a one-stop shop for all events happening on and off campus.
For students looking for organizations to join, the official website also has a student involvement page. This page makes it easy for students to discover the many different student organizations on campus they may want to fill their time with and use as a way to meet new people.
From Greek Life and Student Government to the Gaming and Chess Club, there are over 500 different clubs and organizations for everyone.
So, Cardinal family, as many students begin to take flight this school year, take time to see where you fit into the community, and allow yourself the opportunity to fly!
Feature Photo by Vinny Porco / The Louisville Cardinal
