Seniors to freshmen: Handling the transition into college life

A year ago they were at the top of the totem pole-- large and in charge. Now freshmen Riley McAdoo and Madison Stewart are discovering what it feels like to be at the bottom of the food chain again.

For the first time since first grade, McAdoo has had to make a whole new group of friends.

“My circle of friends from high school all went to different colleges,” McAdoo said. “I’ve never had to make new friendships, it’s definitely taught me a lot about myself.”

McAdoo graduated from Ottawa High School where she was the senior captain of the Cyclonettes Dance Team. Going from being in charge to now being a “newbie” on the Ottawa University Lady Braves Dance Team has been a difficult transition for McAdoo.

“In high school I had all the power to make the decisions without the coaches’ approval,” McAdoo said.

The difficult and fast-paced practices were a struggle at first for McAdoo who was used to running dance team practice in high school and making up the routines that the team would perform.

“In college we learn a lot more during practices then we did during high school practices, in college we take less time to focus on one thing,” McAdoo said. “It used to be so easy because I made up the dances so I already had the moves down and knew what everything was supposed to look like.”

So far, Stewart has had an easy transition from high school basketball to college basketball.

“I feel like I have more time to focus on my work outs for basketball because I’m not stuck in class all day,” Stewart said. “I have more time in the afternoons to condition and practice.”

College has made Stewart appreciate the new chapter that is starting in her life.

“It has been a very different experience so far; I’m glad I am making new friends and experiencing things I did not get to experience in high school,” Stewart said.

 

Both McAdoo and Stewart love campus life. McAdoo resides in Brown Hall with one other roommate, while Stewart lives in Martin Hall in a suite of eight girls.

“At times it is difficult not having a room and space to myself because brown is so small,” McAdoo said. “But I get along with my roommate really well and she likes to keep the room clean just like me so it helps a lot.”

As an orientation leader, sophomore Hannah Bevier was there to help the incoming freshmen adjust to the first week of school.

A piece of advice she would give to any freshman feeling lost would be to find your niche.

“You have to find people to relate too,” Bevier said. “Once you find a group of people you belong to, it makes the college experience a lot better and you won’t feel lonely anymore.