Remember packing all your things, loading it into a car and trying to find enough space in your small dorm room for everything you brought? A whole year has gone by since saying goodbye to old friends at home you’ve grown up with, your family and even your dog. You wondered if you would ever survive your roommate, adjusting to all your classes, fire drills in the middle of the night and losing those fifteen pounds you seemed to gain somewhere along the way.

But you did it, and not all students at Eastern do survive their freshman year. College life is hard, and it’s just the beginning.

Freshman at Eastern tell us what they like the most and least about our campus.

“I like it cause it’s so small and you can recognize faces wherever you go.” said Jill Hart, a freshman special education major. ” I wish I would’ve stayed here on weekends instead of going home so much.”

She said she wishes there was a better union with more places to eat.

Freshman undecided major Kevin O’Malley said he likes the ratio of girls to guys the most.

Some freshman have felt that they have changed a lot since they arrived here in Charleston just last August.

Kelly Hupp, a freshman elementary education major graduated early from high school and came here to get a head start in December.

She said that she’s gotten a lot more motivation to do schoolwork than she did when she was in high school.

Hupp said, “There is not one thing I could’ve changed; I’ve loved every minute of it.”

She said she knew Eastern had a really good program for teaching. “I’ve always wanted to be a teacher.”

The best memory she has is making all new friends and hanging out with them on weekends.

“I really like the social aspect and the party scene.” said O’Malley. He lives with friends he went to high school with in Tinley Park.

He said he decided to go to Eastern after coming down to visit last summer and thinking it was a cool school.

“I really wish I would have gained better study habits.” said O’Malley.

Danielle Steinkemp, a freshman middle level education major said she’s grown more independent from her family and doesn’t need to rely on them as much except for financial needs.

Steinkemp said her favorite memory was her roommate and all of her other new friends. She said, “If I could have done one thing differently I wish I would have rushed a sorority.”

Moira Galvin, a freshman French major said she was unhappy at first because her floor was boring and she had roommate problems. “There was one point when I wanted to go back home.” said Galvin.

“I don’t think I’ve changed since beginning of freshman year; but I know I’ve gotten happier.” she said.

So as you load your things back into your car and wonder how it all did fit into that little dorm room, just remember how much you’ve grown and learned in probably one of the most memorable years of your life. It all goes by so fast so enjoy it while it lasts. Because before you know it, you’ll be walking down the aisle in your gown accepting your diploma.