Students adjusting to life on campus

TOM PINNEY/DAILY FORUM
Students weave through and pass each other while walking the pathways between Brown Hall and the J.W. Jones Student Union. Classes at Northwest Missouri State University began Monday.

On Monday, more than 6,000 college students in and around Maryville found themselves getting up and going to class as the Fall 2017 trimester at Northwest Missouri State University got underway.

Having time off over the summer, while necessary to ease the minds of students who have been working hard, can result in losing some skills that will take some time to build back up.

Fast note-takers have to ease themselves back into their note-taking styles in order to avoid hand cramps. Students who were night owls in the summer have to re-train their bodies to wake up for 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. classes.

But for just over 1,300 freshmen and transfer students, that transition included getting used to a new university in a new city and, in some cases, a new state and a new time zone.

Caleb Winslow, a junior sports media major from Kansas City, was one such transfer student looking to get used to life in Maryville. But fortunately for him, he had a bit of an upper hand.

“Coming to Northwest was always my dream,” Winslow said. “They have an excellent football team, and coming from a winning football team (in Fort Osage High School), I wanted to be part of the winning culture here.”

Caleb spent his freshman year at Northwest, but for personal reasons transferred to Metropolitan Community College – Blue River to finish some prerequisites and complete his sophomore year. Coming back to Northwest was a triumphant return for Winslow, but it came with its own share of adjustments.

“The big thing was getting used to dorm life again,” Winslow said. “Last year, I was attending classes and living at home, so this year is another chance to be independent and live alone.

“What helps, and what’s different this time around, is the fact that I have a group of people I met the first time I was here, and they’re helping me to get used to Northwest and college life once again. It’s always good to have that core group of friends to help you out.”

Winslow was referring to a group of friends he had met while attending weekly gatherings and Bible studies at the Christian Campus House. He’s still involved at CCH, but intends to get involved in some other organizations that fit into his desired career path.

In the meantime, Winslow said he is excited for what this year on campus will entail.

“I’m already loving my broadcasting operations class with Marc Krein, because we’re going to start doing radio stuff,” Winslow said. “Radio broadcasting is part of my dream, as I want to eventually work for 610 AM Radio, broadcasting Royals and Chiefs games.

“I’m also looking forward to Bearcat football games. I’m feeling like we can reach the ‘three-peat.’”