By: Justin Little Photo Credit: Justin Little
For some it’s trying to balance work and fun. For others, it is learning how to live with a complete stranger. These are some of the adjustments Milligan College freshmen are facing in Webb Hall.
One freshman, Nathan Cachiaras, an 18-year-old from Baltimore, Md., said an adjustment he found most challenging is that there is not always a stockpile of food in the room like at home. He also struggles with staying on top of things he should be doing, like homework, with the temptation of other things to do, like watching football.
Cachiaras said what he loves the most about being in Webb is the new friends he has made and getting to be with them 24 hours a day. He also said many upperclassmen took him under their wing, which makes him feel more welcomed.
Another freshman, Jordan Wells, an 18-year-old also from Baltimore said the hardest adjustment he dealt with was living with people he did not know.
“The community at Webb has made it much easier to adjust to the new environment,” said Wells.
“Milligan knows that this adjustment is a huge step so they make sure that their resident assistants know how to deal with the situation,” says Austin Chhut, a resident assistant in Webb.
Resident assistants learn how to deal with homesick students in their training. He is told to make sure and invite the student to Milligan events to meet new people.
One event recently held was the annual beauty spot trip that resident assistants take the freshmen on. There the resident assistants tell about stories and traditions of Milligan’s history, such as the “buff run.”
“As a freshman I was so nervous and remembering that makes me want to make it as easy as possible for the incoming freshman,” said Chhut.
Kate Anderson, director of residence life and housing, said there are many different programs, such as Welcome Week, that help new students move in and get adjusted. They also set up mentor groups for freshmen so there is an upperclassman overlooking new students, making sure they are attending classes and adjusting well.
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