Already Making Friends

Throughout this past year I've been pretty grateful for social networking sites, like Facebook, that have kept me in contact with my friends. However, at times, I've been even more grateful for UPeers - a Mizzou sponsored networking site. 

Once you've been accepted to MU you're encouraged to register on the site. You can make friends, start and participate in discussions, and write on each other's "walls". Because choosing schools can be very overwhelming I found this site was very helpful in asking questions and hearing the responses of my peers. There are a few upperclassmen on UPeers who are also available to answers questions about Sorority/Fraternity rushing, residence hall choice, and other common areas of interest. 

As more and more students joined UPeers the discussion topics became broader and broader. As I mentioned in my previous post, I am going to Mizzou not knowing many people. As I suspected there were many others who would be flying solo next year. Eventually a boy named David came up with the great idea to have a Chicago Area Meet-Up for all the kids from the Chicago area that were headed to Mizzou. This was a great experience, and while there were only six of us we really got to know each other. I took the train in with Maggie and Caitlin, my two Rockford peers, and we met up with everyone else at Millennium Park. After enjoying lunch at Bennigans we walked to Grant Park, and from there to Navy Pier. 

Since it was such a close-knit group we were really able to get to know each other. I met Pelumi who was rooming a floor below me, as well as David, who was hilarious. It turned out that Lisa, from Elgin, knew some people us Rockfordians knew so we chatted about that. I walked away from the experience feeling like I already had made friends and would recognize some faces this coming fall!

Let me catch you up to speed...

11 Days. That's how many days until I move into my dorm (7th floor Gillett a.k.a The Penthouse). As you might be able to imagine, I am feeling both excited and a little bit nervous at this point. My schedule has been finalized, my books are bought, and I even have a really cute comforter set picked out! In terms of preparation I couldn't be more ready. 

I'm coming from Rockford, IL (90 minutes west of Chicago) and that means I know exactly 2 other people going to Mizzou. While this is somewhat intimidating, it's thrilling at the same time. Because we have the largest class in MU history I know there will be many other students in the same boat as myself. Luckily, my roommate is one of them. This year Mizzou allowed students to do their entire roommate selection process online. Once I selected my Learning Community and Residence Hall choice I was immediately given my roommates name. That instant gratification was extremely helpful, because we've been planning for next year since March. Unlike other schools, where you may have to wait until a month before school starts, Mizzou gives you the information needed so you can figure out who will buy the mini-fridge and who's going to bring the microwave. 

I'm also feeling pretty confident because of the great time I had at Summer Welcome. This is when you spend two days on campus (overnight in the dorms) and you meet peers who will be living by you. I spent some time in small groups, which helped get to know kids in my dorm, but there were also large group activities. Parents had their own seminars, while students watched hilarious skits that helped explain what to expect in college. The first day you are with the group almost all day, but day 2 you pick your classes and do other individualized work. My best advice is that you plan ahead! Know what class you're going to need to fulfill requirements, and have any anticipated transfer credits (A.P., I.B., dual credit, etc.) organized. Even if you're unsure of a major you can still be prepared. 

My hope for this blog is to share my experience as I go through my freshman year at Mizzou. If you know MU is the place for you, or you're still debating between schools this blog will hopefully help you get a feel of what Mizzou has to offer.