Photo via Elizabeth Menne. Haddy Kreie’s CORE class, featuring Corbin Tarr and Michael Havens.

School is officially back in session, and the first three weeks have already come to an end. Homework is heating up, and it is seriously time to buy your books from the bookstore. Seniors are reminiscing on their first year of college and looking forward to graduation while a new class of students are getting used to calling Drury home.

Getting oriented at orientation weekend

Orientation weekend was Friday, Aug. 17 through Monday, Aug. 20. Students from 19 CORE classes spent the weekend participating in activities like the Hard CORE Games, the Service Plunge and Fun on the Lane. Orientation weekend was intended to set freshmen on the right path for the start of their college career, and many are excited to dive in further.

Freshman and Springfield native Corbin Tarr has already decided to double major in strategic communications and psychology. Tarr said his favorite part about orientation was the connections he made.

“I am a part of numerous clubs and have some of the best friends I have ever had in just two short weeks,” said Tarr. “I made 17 super close friends and got introduced to so much of the community.”

Another freshman, Michael Havens, a Spanish and music double major, said, “My favorite part of orientation was without a doubt, the Hard CORE Games. All of the students were so energized and excited about the competition and it brought us closer together as a CORE 101 class.”

Establishing new routines

After orientation weekend finished, Tarr and Havens looked forward to actually starting classes. Their first week of college went smoothly.

“My first week of class was incredibly exciting. I could already tell that I was going to learn more about myself and my majors than I ever expected. Plus, hall study nights on the second floor in Sundy are so enjoyable,” said Havens.

When asked if the first days of college were living up to his expectations, Tarr stated, “It was fun and I’m excited for the potential to get even more fun, and no, I always thought of college classes as being very long lectures.”

Looking toward their bright futures

Both Tarr and Havens already feel assured that they picked the right college. Freshmen can expect to get a worthwhile education here at Drury. With small class sizes (a 13:1 student to faculty ratio and an average class size of 19) as well as a large international student population, Drury’s intimate campus and class settings easily make new students feel at home.

“I chose Drury because of the homey atmosphere on campus, and the level of professionalism in the music department,” said Havens. “Drury is going to give me the tools and skills that I need to succeed in my chosen career path. The faculty, students and staff here all want to help me find my dream job. Plus, the smaller size of Drury means that I can connect with far more people professionally.”

Tarr referenced the famous quote, “It doesn’t matter what you know but who you know,” and stated, “I agree with this quote because Drury prepares you amazingly for either one of these outcomes.”

Getting help after orientation

For some students the idea of going off to school can be an anxious ordeal. Many students have never lived away from home. However, there are plenty of support systems at Drury University to help new students adjust to campus living.

One such resource is the Orientation Leaders (or O-Leaders, for short) that help guide incoming freshman through their first week on campus. Sydney Stark was an O-Leader this year, working for the university for the first time this semester.

“We’re called Orientation Leaders, but that’s not our only job,” said Stark, a junior studying animation. “Our duties extend past orientation and can even go through all four years. We’re here to help no matter what, whether you have questions or concerns or just need someone to talk to.”

Stark, like all Drury students, understood that being an Orientation Leader meant being in charge of a large group of people, even if it was only for a short time.

“When I was a freshman I learned a lot from my orientation leaders,” said Stark. “And as an Orientation Leader this year I hoped to be everything my O-Leaders were for me. It was challenging having 22 people completely dependent on you, especially when a lot of them are at least five hours away from home.”

“And like I said before, even though I’m called an ‘Orientation Leader,’ it doesn’t mean that my job ends after orientation. I signed up voluntarily just like every O-Leader did, because I genuinely wanted to help the freshmen have a great first year of college.”

Utilize all of Drury’s resources

Drury University has a whole host of staff at the students’ disposal. The professors and staff exist at Drury not only to ensure that students have a positive learning experience, but to make sure that their overall experience every year at Drury is the best that it can possibly be.

“Transitioning from high school to college can be both exciting and stressful,” said Jena Steele, Drury’s mental health counselor. “Many students can be on their own for the first time. This can be exhilarating and scary; things like new-found independence and making decisions, living with a roommate, a heavier school load, homesickness, and finding one’s place are all very common things students go through during their freshman year, as well as feeling stressed, anxious and sad.”

“These are problems that the students don’t have to deal with on their own,” Steele stressed. “The counseling office offers a place for students to process difficult feelings. I encourage students to come by the counseling office at any time, even if they don’t feel like their issue warrants counseling.”

The counseling office was available to students during orientation, and they are also available all semester in the basement of the Findlay Student Center.

Above everything else, Steele wants to make sure that the students at Drury feel that they can come and talk to her whenever they need, no matter the subject.

“Counseling is safe and confidential; it is a place where students can come and talk about anything they want,” said Steele. “Many students find counseling to be helpful in that they can talk with an objective, neutral party like myself who can collaborate with them to find solutions to their problems. Our office also assists students who have learning, emotional or physical disabilities.”

Steele makes sure that she is as available as possible for Drury students.

“Walk-ins are always welcome,” said Steele. “But in order to guarantee that I can meet with a student, it’s suggested that they go to Drury’s Counseling website and click on the ‘make an appointment’ button and fill out the form.”

Written by Claire Plaster and Ryan Smith.