Liz Mantush | staff writer

For Ellen McDaniel, freshman move-in day was both her scariest and most exciting day of college. She felt a sense of uncertainty as she began a new start with new opportunities as she approached Orientation week.

As she settled into her dorm in St. Anne’s, McDaniel was relieved to know that things were going to be ok.

She immediately felt a sense of camaraderie among her floormates, which made the big change feel less scary.

“People are from far away and some live 15-minutes away, so it’s just nice to have that kind of family vibe here… It’s nice because we’re all adjusting together.” she said.

Almost three weeks into their new lives on campus, Duquesne freshmen like McDaniel are settling into college life. Orientation Week offered students many opportunities to make new friends, see what campus has to offer and explore their new home for the next four years.

“Being able to have a week of meeting everyone and doing activities with people and stuff was really helpful and nice,” said freshman Evie McClymondes.

From August 19 to the 24, freshmen, transfer and new students had a packed week of information and activities to help make college their home.

It gave students a busy schedule where they had the opportunity to choose from activities to participate in including a mentalist, Epic Bingo, The Glow Dance, an Ice Cream Social and many more.

“I think that also helped us meet so many more people.” said Zoe Emade.

Orientation focused on the social and community aspects of Duquesne, but students like Kayla Diss wish there was more preparation for the school aspect of college.

“I didn’t know ‘Do I need a notebook? Should I use an iPad?’” she said.

Classes began on Monday Aug. 25, and it became clear for some freshmen like Diss, that college was going to be much different than high school.

“I feel like I had to figure out a lot of stuff on my own.” she said. “I feel like my studying habits I was really nervous about, because high school was easy, and I knew college is a big jump, so I feel like I had to learn how to study.”

Freshmen like McDaniels also noticed the shift from high school to college, but have noted ways to better engage in a different environment.

“I think there is a lot of support here, but what you choose to do with it is kind of up to you… I’ve noticed that if you don’t talk in class, your professor won’t even know your name,” she said. “If you do talk when you have a question or go to office hours, then you’re more recognized.”

Diss also utilized campus resources like the writing center and tutoring services.

Now that classes are in full swing, social time is limited, but some students said the cultures of each dorm has contributed to their overall happiness and success.

“Everyone is like a family, like we literally do everything together, which I don’t know if that’s good for my independence, but it’s good for adjusting,” McDaniel said. “I’ll literally come back from class and I’ll go in the community room and say hi to everyone. We’re all keeping tabs on each other, and we’re all just really close, so it’s so nice.”

She and her floormates often use their group chat to meet up, share medications when they’re sick and check in on one another when they need it.

“There’s at least always a person you can talk to on your floor,” McClymondes said.

Liz Mantush can be reached at mantushl@duq.edu