Category: College Advice

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Advice From Your Classmates in Christ

Long flights and car rides, stuffed luggage and school supplies. New friends with wide eyes, big hugs and teary goodbyes. It’s move-in day (Fall ’22) and the latest group of first year Grovers are settling in after a long day of unpacking. Among those fresh faces are more than thirty transfer students from colleges around the country, including Julia Marsango, Leah Yendell, and Mikaeli West. They were eager to begin the next chapter of their education and complete their bachelor’s degree programs, but having undergone the unique experience of transferring schools, what advice can they offer incoming students?

Transfer experiences are so often overlooked by the education system, yet, after attending both community college and university, no one knows the education system better than a transfer. In the following articles, we’ll explore the remarkable stories of these three students. The good, the bad, the highs, the lows, and everything in between. What brought them to Grove City College? What do they love about this school? And if they could do it all over again, what would they change? This is advice from your classmates in Christ.

 

Julia Marsango, Spring ’24

 

1) Where are you from and what is your major?

“I’m from the south-central area of New Jersey, and I’m a History Major.”

 2) What are you planning to do with your degree after graduation?

“I’m keeping my options open. I’m really interested in working in archives, but I might go to grad school. I guess one of the reasons I like the history degree is that it’s a very flexible skillset. When you’re practicing research and thinking from other perspectives, those are skills lots of businesses appreciate.”

3) Were you homeschooled or public schooled? Describe that experience.

“I went to public school until the third grade, and then my mom started homeschooling my siblings and I. I was homeschooled all the way through high school. Even as a kid, I knew public schooling wasn’t a good fit. I feel like homeschool spared me from a lot of the negative experiences I’ve heard about. There was still plenty of work and social activity. I went to weekly co-op meetings. I also did dual enrollment credits for community college during my junior and senior years of high school.”

4) Can you tell me about your college career and your transfer to Grove City College?

“Since I did dual enrollment, I basically completed a semester of college before I even started. So I really only did a year and a half at Ocean County Community College. I applied as a Liberal Arts major but, by the end, I knew I wanted to pursue something in history and wondered what it would be like to study history from a Christian perspective. So, I got my Liberal Arts degree and took the next semester off to work. Then I heard about Grove City through a series of coincidences, and I knew some people who had connections to the school. I went to a Creation College expo in the area, and happened to visit some friends at GCC. I never got an ‘official’ tour. I just walked around the campus in the dark and through a section of MAP dormitory with my friends on a random November night. So, I actually never saw the campus in the daylight until move-in day. Crazy, I know. After that, I threw in an application. It came down to Grove City and another school. Grove just happened to accept more credits.”

5) Why Grove City and not another school?

“Doing the admissions interview here really sold me. I had researched so many schools before GCC and was kind of jaded with the whole college search process, so having an admissions counselor who genuinely wanted me to come here meant a lot. And incorporating that Christian perspective into my education was really important to me. Grove is more expensive, and affording all this has been a lot of pressure, but I’m glad I’m here.”

6) After you transferred, what were your first impressions of the school, campus culture, classes, etc.?

“I realized the academics were gonna be really hard, but I was also excited. Much better quality than anything I’ve had. I remember being really busy. There are so many opportunities and events, even though Grove is such a small campus compared to big state schools like Penn State. In the first couple months, my impression of the people was that just because it’s a Christian/conservative college doesn’t mean everyone’s gonna think the same. It was really cool making Catholic friends, and my roommate is Pentecostal, and all different interests and personalities. It was cool to be unified by something other than just my church and my co-op.”

7) Did you encounter any issues during your transfer process?

“In community college I was really involved with the class scheduling process. I planned out all my classes. The summer before I got to Grove, I was contacting the school a lot because I had a lot of questions and wanted to plan out my classes again. That’s when I found out the registrar had scheduled everything for me, and only had me in 14 credits per semester. That was problematic, because to graduate within two years and hit the tuition limit, I needed to be in 17. To put it simply, if I’m paying for 17 credits, I’m gonna take 17. I got the classes I needed added, but I still ran into problems. Since I came in with a Liberal Arts degree and not a history focused degree, I came in with virtually no history credits. That meant I had a lot to catch up on. My biggest thing is the registrar seems to be understaffed. I don’t get my emails answered in a timely manner, and that creates issues when I need the answers before a deadline. The registrar is overwhelmed. I get some answers from the registrar and my advisor, but most of it I’ve had to do on my own. I compare the status sheets, I research the requirements, I do the audit report myself. It’s a lot.”

8) On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your experience at Grove City College?

“I think a 10 honestly. Most of the time, my dissatisfaction is not with the college itself, but with my circumstances in transferring here, and I’m to capacity, so can’t appreciate some things here the way I wish I could. I can’t have everything I want, but I think I’m getting more out of it than I’m losing.”

9) If you could go back in time knowing everything you know now, would you do anything differently?

“If I had the money, I would’ve come here as a sophomore. I needed some time at home before coming here. I wasn’t ready then, and coming in as a sophomore would’ve given me the space to spread out my credits.”

10) What advice can you offer incoming students?

“Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you need to email people, email them. That applies to professors too. You’re never gonna get A’s here if you don’t meet with your professors and go to office hours. Don’t rely on the school to sort everything out for you. If you’re not active in the whole process, you might not end up getting exactly what you need. Do a lot of research. Figure out what resources are available. Get the bulletin, get the college catalog, get the status sheet for your major, learn how to navigate mygcc.org. The tools are there, but they won’t be helpful if you don’t figure out how to use them.”

 

Leah Yendell, Spring ’25

 

1) Where are you from and what is your major?

“I am from Mars, PA, and I’m an Elementary Education Major.”

2) What are you planning to do with your degree after graduation?

“I plan on teaching the third or fourth grade. I really like upper elementary, because they’re young enough to joke around with, but old enough to understand a lot of things. I’d love to work with that age group, and do my art at the same time.”

3) Were you homeschooled, private schooled, or public schooled? Describe that experience.

“Public schooled. My public-school experience was very interesting. I would say it was pretty diverse. You know, your stereotypical jocks, athletes, cheerleaders, etc. Lots of stuff to do in high school.”

4) Can you tell me about your college career and your transfer to Grove City College?

“I went to Edinboro University, which is in Erie, PA. I wanted to be an art teacher. I was getting my Art Education Bachelor’s degree, but during my second semester, I didn’t know if I enjoyed the art classes. So, I switched my major to Elementary Education. I spent my freshman year there. I made quite a few friends, but COVID made it hard to meet people. It was also a very left-leaning school. Probably more than most state schools. I don’t feel like I fit in very well there, because I couldn’t speak openly about my faith. Then Edinboro started merging with two other campuses, Clarion and Cal U. If I continued my degree with them, the majority of my classes would be online. So, I did some research about Grove City and the rest is history.”

5) Why Grove City and not another school?

“I think it was the Elementary Ed program that drew me here, and also the perspective of faith. I wanted to be free to explore my faith, and this just seemed like the best place to do that. I never really wanted to go out-of-state, because it would have cost more for my parents, and I wanted to be close to them. Edinboro was close to home, but Grove City is a bit closer.”

6) After you transferred, what were your first impressions of the school, campus culture, classes, etc.?

“I thought the campus culture was very welcoming. There’s a great sense of community here immediately, like Orientation Board for example. The classes were also more rigorous than I expected. It was tough getting used to, but I eventually settled into a routine.”

7) Did you encounter any issues during your transfer process?

“Yes. So, a lot of my classes transferred, but most of them came in as electives. I thought everything was fine until the spring semester of 2023. Scheduling for this year’s classes was weird. I was like, why am I only taking 13 credits in the fall and 12 in the spring? I should have been scheduled for way more. I heard from one of my Ed professors that Education Majors need to be scheduled for 16 credits minimum every semester. So, that was news to me. I was upset, because now I’m taking 18 credits this semester and next semester, while also taking physics over winter break. I was under the impression that I was good to go, because my advisor told me I was. When I scheduled with an advisor over spring semester last year, everything seemed fine, but when I went to register for this year’s courses some of them weren’t offered, so I had to totally rebuild my schedule from scratch. Hopefully I’m on track to graduate. Fingers crossed.”

8) On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your experience at Grove City College?

“I would rate it around a 7.5, because I do really enjoy my Ed classes and community life. Transferring was harder than expected though.”

9) If you could go back in time knowing everything you know now, would you do anything differently?

“A lot of the Ed professors are great. Even after everything I went through with the registrar, I would still want to attend GCC. It’s a great education. They care more than most schools and the people here are really smart. They encourage you to be better than you are, because they see your potential.”

10) What advice can you offer incoming students?

“Do activities that push you outside of your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, because you’re gonna make a lot of them. Quizlet is your best friend. Right after you have a lecture read over the notes you took, because that really solidifies the information you just learned. When it comes to registration, just do it yourself. You could meet with your advisor of the registrar, but you can figure it out on your own. I check in with the registrar a couple times a semester, but definitely don’t rely on them. When you graduate, you’ll be doing that type of stuff on your own, so it’s important to develop those skills.”

 

Mikaeli West, Spring ’25

 

1) Where are you from and what’s your major?

“I’m from upstate New York. Bridgeport, New York, and I’m a Social Work Major.”

2) What are you planning to do with your degree after graduation?

“I’m hoping to work as a case manager for some kind of nonprofit organization. That means I’ll help with intake paperwork and getting people connected to the resources they need, so things like food, shelter, prenatal care, etc.”

3) Were you homeschooled, private schooled, or public schooled? Describe that experience.

“I was all three. I was private schooled until fourth grade. Then homeschooled fifth grade to eight, and then halfway through eighth grade I was public schooled all the way to graduation. It was very unorthodox from beginning to end, but I feel like I learned a lot that way. To have a private school that was intense about academics and building a solid foundation in Christ. Going into public school was good for socialization and making new friends. Learning how to talk to others about Christ, especially when they don’t believe in Him was important for me too.”

4) Can you tell me about your college career and your transfer to Grove City College?

“I took a lot of dual credit courses in high school, so when I went to community college, I had a whole semester of credits done. I graduated early in December, so I came to GCC January 23’, unlike most people who came in August 22’. I started in community college because it was more financially practical and closer to home. Plus, I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do, so starting at community college just made sense. I got an associate degree in Human Services, which is intended to fit perfectly into a Social Work degree on a bachelor’s level. I thought about transferring to a college in Mansfield, PA or another school called Buffalo State, but I was drawn to Grove City for their morals and Christian values.”

5) Why Grove City and not another school?

“A friend of mine from community college (who was also a Social Work Major) transferred here and said the process was great. I looked at a lot of colleges and, for me, Grove City was the only school that fit all the criteria I was looking for.”

6) After you transferred, what were your first impressions of the school, campus culture, classes, etc.?

“I think GCC is so used to the process of freshmen coming in that when I came in as a transfer there wasn’t a lot of contact. I felt like I had to do a lot of the communicating and reaching out. Part of that is my fault, because I came in at a weird time. It got better when I actually moved in, but it just feels like GCC prioritizes freshmen, so sometimes transfers fall through the cracks.”

7) Did you encounter any issues during your transfer process?

“My biggest shocker was that there’s a lot of things this school does differently than my last one that I wasn’t told about. I took a social work class here and it was expected I knew things like with APA formatting and where to go for help, but I didn’t know any of that. I didn’t know my resources or what the system was. I’m sure freshmen encounter similar issues, but the academic rigor of this school was just shocking. Getting classes organized was another issue. I could have talked with the registrar more at the beginning. I wasn’t used to setting classes up on my own, so that was a big learning curve. I had taken a biology course in community college that the registrar here didn’t count. Now, I feel like I’m relearning stuff because I’m in classes I shouldn’t have to take which is frustrating. There are also a bunch of Humanities courses and it’s hard fitting them all into your schedule. Freshmen have more time to space things out unlike transfers. Now I’m paying for an extra semester just to balance all my classes, and that’s something I probably wouldn’t have had to do anywhere else.”

8) On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your experience at Grove City College?

“Honestly it depends on the day. I’d say a solid 7.5 or maybe an 8, but there have been lots of times when I really thought about my decision to come here. I wonder if I should have transferred somewhere that was cheaper or wasn’t so academically difficult. I feel like the stereotype of the school is true in a lot of ways. The ‘Grover Achiever’ mindset of feeling like you have to do everything, and the general atmosphere of being a Christian. At my last school, I was really close to God. I had to be, because everyone was starving for Christ. I had to be prepared to share the faith and to have my faith challenged, but at GCC, God is everywhere. No one is challenging me about what I believe. We go to chapel, and we’re surrounded by churches. It’s much more passive, because I’m not pushed to maintain an active resilience in my faith like I was back in New York.”

9) If you could go back in time knowing everything you know now, would you do anything differently?

“I learned after coming here that I could get jobs with my associates degree. I have a lot of friends back home who got an associates and went into the work force, or who didn’t go to college at all and they’re living their best lives working or traveling. I love that for them. Ultimately, I want to get my masters, so I’m glad I’m getting my bachelors, but the loans I’m taking out are double what they would have been at any other school. I can’t take them out through the government. I had to do it privately because GCC is a private institution, and I didn’t consider that when I was looking at my tuition. The interest on the loans is gonna destroy me. I also have a job, and that probably would have been easier at a state school because of the academic excellence GCC expects of its students. If I could go back in time, I don’t know if I’d be here, but now that I’m here I’m not going anywhere else. I think I’m where I’m supposed to be.”

10) What advice can you offer incoming students?

“Find out as much as you can before coming here. Finances were my biggest thing, and knowing how much it’s gonna cost (especially if you’re taking out loans) is really important. Academically, communicate with the registrar as much as possible, and know that your GPA might be a little lower because this is a harder school. That’s okay though, because it means you have to work harder and learn to discipline yourself and build a routine.”

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Luke’s Top 5 Favorite Classes at Grove

As a senior, I have began to look back and reflect on some of my favorite classes I have been able to take here at Grove City. To put them in order is an extremely difficult task. Grove City offers live changing classes in all majors to all students, and I will miss the unique opportunities each class offered. For the sake of listing the top 5, they will be in no particular order, these are simply my favorite classes I have taken. Ranking these would be a whole other challenge. My hope is to provide you with my general elective as well as my economics related classes I had to take.

  1. Old Testament History with Dr. Byun: I know I said I was not going to rank these but this one would definitely be my top contender. First off, Dr. Byun is easily one of the best professors on campus. This combined with his unique and vast knowledge of Old Testament history and outstanding course outline create an experience that allows you to really grasp the purpose of the Old Testament. Difficult questions are raised and answered with the help of course material and immense dedication to teaching students about Old Testament history.
  2. Econometrics with Dr. Fuller: Metrics was hands down the most challenging course I took at Grove. Every economics major is required to take this class, and it was the challenge that made it so rewarding. Econometrics simply is a hybrid between a high level statistics course and a high level economics course. Dr. Fuller’s young personality and vast knowledge make this class extremely fun but again difficult for most.
  3. Middle Eastern Politics with Dr. Kengor: MEP (Middle Eastern Politics) was a fantastic course taught by Dr. Paul Kengor, the chair of our political science department. What made this class a fantastic learning experience was the expertise of the instructor. Dr. Kengor’s teaching style is relatively laid back and might seem unprepared but this would be false. Kengor’s vast knowledge and preparation for each class is incredible, making this class a must-take.
  4. Courtship and Marriage with Dr. Bright: I am not in a relationship, and C&M with Dr. Bright was a fantastic class that taught me how to approach relationships from a biblical and Christian perspective. Dr. Bright is one of the nicest professors you will ever meet and truly a role model and someone you could tell anything to. Classes are interesting but still provide a challenge for its students.
  5. Stagecraft with Dan Wolfe: I am currently in Stagecraft and its been one of the most hands-on classes I have ever taken. Stagecraft is unlike any other course you will take on this campus but is extremely applicable. In Stagecraft, I have learned how to use power tools and have learned new approaches to the design process in theater productions. Dan is laid back and another great guy on campus to know that has produced TV shows and movies at the highest level and is a must take as a senior.
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Freshman Spotlight: Natalie Merrick

College is a time for students to step out of their comfort zone and explore. You have the freedom of living on your own and making your own decisions. Being at Grove City, this is the time where you find out more about yourself, find friends that will be with you throughout life, and where you can grow deeper in your faith, all while being surrounded by community.

Natalie Merrick is a freshman majoring in Exercise Science with a pre-physical therapy concentration, and minoring in Psychology. While her academics are time-consuming, she has learned to find a way to balance it while playing soccer at Grove City College. For Natalie, she grew up in the Cranberry Township area (about 30 minutes from campus) and knew of Grove City College from her sister going here and people in her high school. While she was looking at other colleges, she ultimately decided on Grove City because of the Christ-centered mission of the College and the soccer program.

Along with her major and being on the women’s soccer team, she is also a part of Homecoming Committee and the Gamma Sigma Phi sorority. Her best piece of advice when it comes to rushing different sororities is to check your heart constantly and form relationships with people to be their friend, not to be in the sorority. When it comes to sororities or fraternities, you want to make sure that you “vibe” with the people in the group as your true self, not having a persona.

When asked about the impact that Grove City College has had on her faith, Natalie said her faith has grown tremendously because of the people that she surrounds herself with at college. She was intentional when getting to know the seniors in her sorority and on her soccer team. She said “watching them walk with the Lord has encouraged me to do the same and I’ve found people who prioritize their relationship with Him and encourage me in my walk of faith.” She has found that her friendships here are ones that will stay throughout her life. When asked about the community at Grove City College, she said it is welcoming and inviting to everyone and encourages growth spiritually, academically, and socially.

The best piece of advice Natalie has for future underclassmen or prospective students is to “go into everything with open hands and find chances to grow and be challenged in your academics and faith.” Keep your eyes open to new things, people, and opportunities God places right in front of you. Whatever you decide to do in college or whatever happens, God is always with you to help guide you and provide for you. College can be the best time of your lives, so get involved with activities, groups, and get to know people who can help push you to be a better person overall.

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Sophomore Spotlight: Lucca Baccari

Whether you are a prospective student looking at Grove City College or you have decided to attend Grove City in the fall, college is a time for people to learn and grow. You may not know what the “college experience” looks like, but that is okay! The best advice you can get is hearing from current students who found ways to adapt to the college environment and succeed socially and academically.

Lucca Baccari, a sophomore mechanical engineer, decided on Grove City College not only because of the baseball team but because of the reputation of having strong academics and a small, tight-knit community surrounding the campus. When asked about adjusting to “college life” he said to schedule out your weeks so you know when assignments are due but also what events or activities are happening so you can go to them. This method works best for Lucca as he is very busy juggling his workload, baseball, and being in the Beta Sigma fraternity. Finding a balance between a sport and academics in college is difficult but he makes it work by planning ahead on the weekends and working ahead on assignments, especially when he is in season. His best piece of advice for student athletes is to “have good time management and not procrastinate on assignments. You don’t want to fall behind in academics or your sport because it can be hard to recover.”

When asked about the impact that Grove City College has had on his faith, Lucca said “It’s grown to a whole new level. You’re surround by people who have come from completely different walks of life who teach you different things to help you in your walk of faith.” Faith is important to campus life, but also to the community that surrounds the college. The community of Grove City focuses on “building each other up and creating a positive experience on campus, whether it be academically or socially.”

The best piece of advice Lucca has for prospective or incoming students is to “participate in campus life as much as possible. Not only does it benefit you by helping you meet people but continues to build the campus community.” Do not be afraid to get out of your comfort zone to meet people. The community at Grove City College creates many opportunities and experiences for people!

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Finding Your Values at GCC

When transitioning into college life, it can be difficult to figure out who you are as an individual. You have spent your whole life following your parents’ lead and maybe kind of going through the motions, but at college, you will be challenged to formulate your own opinions and views. This is a great thing, and a natural progression, but that does not mean it is not scary.

Coming to Grove City, I was challenged both in my faith, but also views on politics and life. I came from a Christian high school, so I thought that I would have a pretty easy transition into college life since it is very similar, but that was not the case at all. Living on your own you are forced to make decisions for yourself, and you do not have to let anyone know what you are doing. I had a difficult transition period coming into school because I never really thought about who I was, but luckily the people here are so helpful and care about you.

For some people, the mandatory chapel can seem like something that is not fun or intriguing, but it can actually help you make your faith your own and make that next step in your life. Also, the professors at GCC care about your well-being and your academic performance so much that they will reach out and make sure that you are doing okay. I grew up in a home where we went to church all the time, and I was not exposed to any differing views religiously or politically at all. College was the first time when I was exposed to differing opinions, and I did not have the knowledge to back up anything I believed in. But being at Grove City is different in the sense that everyone is willing to have these difficult conversations with you and walk with you through this challenging time because they are all going through the same thing. It is challenging and may seem very daunting, but do not be discouraged.

You do not have to have everything figured out before you get to school, because there will be a lot of people in the same boat as you and that is a great thing because that means you can form meaningful relationships with people while building your faith and opinions all at the same time. There are plenty of groups and organizations on campus that can help you form your own views, and also there are so many clubs that you can join once you have decided what you are interested in. Grove City is a great place where you can form your own views and build unbreakable bonds.

 

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Best Places to Study on Campus

A lot of your time will be spent studying and doing homework while at school, especially when you are just starting your college career, because you will want to get off to a good start. So, I will be giving you the best places to study on campus and the pros and cons of each study area.

Staley Hall of Arts and Letters

This is my go-to place to do work. It has a good balance of being social and being quiet enough to get all of your work done. This is the main academic building for the Calderwood school, which is the liberal arts school. You are able to sign out the classrooms and use them for studying from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. This is really helpful because you can get a room with friends and have a casual study session, or you can get a room alone and grind out a lot of work in one night in silence. This is the best for me because I like studying with friends so I can get a room and study without being a disturbance to others. There is also a common area in the lobby where you can do work at tables with friends, but that is meant to be quiet so it is good when you have a small amount of work to do by yourself.

Henry Buhl Library

Originally I would say that the Library is not the place to go to study, but with the new updates, it is great. They renovated the whole library, and even though it is not finished yet, it is a great place to study. There are new tables and chairs all over the place and it is very modern; however, if you like to study in groups and be loud then the library is not for you. There are now private rooms that you can get that allow you to talk a little bit, but those rooms get taken within seconds of the library opening. It is a good place to study and get a lot of work done.

Breen Student Union 

Do not come here if you need to actually get work done. I love the student union, and I spend a lot of time here throughout the day in between classes to get some casual work done while I am talking to my friends. It is very loud and kind of the hub for students in between classes. It does quiet down a little bit at night but it is still pretty loud and can be difficult to focus on. However, if you have a group project that you need to do then this is a good place to do that because you do not need to worry about disturbing anyone. The student union is a good place to catch up with people while doing some casual work, but do not go there if you have a huge exam the next morning, unless it is 3 a.m. and this is the only building open.

There are no bad places to study on campus, and these are definitely not the only places to do work on campus, but I thought that these are the most popular and they are some of my favorites. There are a lot of good places to study, and honestly, none of them are bad places to do work.

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What to Pack for College

When you are preparing for college for the first time it can be very overwhelming, from worrying about academics to wondering what you will be involved in on campus. One thing that I know I stressed out about when preparing for college was what to bring and what to leave at home. A lot of incoming freshmen tend to overpack and bring things that will not be used more than one time. The most difficult thing that you will find to pack is your clothes. This will vary depending on where you live, because if you live far away then you will need to bring all your cold-weather clothes as well as your warm-weather clothes. However, no matter where you live you should not overpack your clothes because you will definitely end up running out of space and will have no room for other fun things in your room. What I have noticed in my four years at Grove City is that you will wear mainly the same things every week, with an exception of a few outfits. Also, do not bring too many fancy clothes because you will only have to wear them a few times throughout the semester. For guys, bring a couple of collared shirts and a suit just in case, and for girls, it is always good to have a couple of nice dresses for any event that might be happening on campus. It is good to have options but if you wear something one time in a month then it is not worth bringing to school.

Now, for decorations in your dorm room. It is easy to get carried away looking at the advertisements from Target and buying all of the fun dorm decorations. However, all of the decorations that are in those advertisements take up space in the dorm rooms and are not very practical. The dorm rooms are a good size, but they are not overly big. You can fit a seating option in the rooms if you want to, but it is not always necessary. My recommendation is to get things in your room that will make you feel at home, but not feel claustrophobic. For example, nice string lights or a lamp, a futon/small couch, and some way that you relax whether that be a reading corner, TV, etc.

My biggest advice is to not overpack, because it becomes very difficult to find space for all of your things. You want your living space to be comfortable and homey, so do not worry about filling it with things that you will regret having by the end of the first month. Fill it with pictures and things that make you happy!

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When You Have a Significant Other and Your Friends Do Not

I have been with my now-fiancé for almost six years, so we have gone through the majority of high school together and now college as well. My fiancé and I are in the same friend group, we all have the same friends, and we hang out together almost every day. But this can cause some discomfort for our friends since we were the only people dating anyone for a while. It was a big challenge, and it took a lot of conversation and openness with our friends to be able to get to the point that we are at right now. I will be giving you some tips on how to handle this especially as you go into college, which is a big change from high school.

I think the first thing to know is to not be exclusive, but make sure to make time for one another. It is easy to be exclusive at school and just hang out with your significant other for the majority of the time. And do not get me wrong, it is a great thing to be able to hang out and spend quality time with your significant other, but get a good feel for how it is making your friends feel. If you and your significant other are in the same friend group already, then that is a huge bonus because that means you can hang out with your friend groups with your significant other at the same time. This allows you to build relationships with your significant other’s friends while also spending quality time with your significant other.

Also, just open communication with all parties is important. You need to be able to talk freely about the situation and not feel too awkward talking to your friends. Your friends, no matter the gender, will want to spend time with you by yourself, and that is a good thing. It may be hard at first to find the balance that works for your relationship, but being open with your significant other about the expectations you have with spending quality time with your friends will help your relationship with that person and also with your friends.

Coming into college, it is important to not only build your relationship with the person you are dating but also with your friends. It may be challenging, but if you gain one thing from this I want you to learn that open communication will only help you in the long run.

 

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The Spartan Life: Living Arrangements Outside of Greek Groups

At Grove City College, we have a lot of different ways to participate in Greek life. From living in the group to just attending events, Greek life adds a lot of character to our small campus. But sometimes, Greek life just isn’t what every student wants to be a part of. I considered joining a housing group on campus but, after receiving a bid, I realized it wasn’t for me.

 

Grove City College has a unique campus life that prioritizes community more than other, similar colleges. Because of this, Grove City College does not house any national fraternities or sororities; each group that is present on campus only has affiliations here on campus. This helps pursue the goal of community unity because the groups are focused on their immediate surroundings, untied from the regulations and expectations of national groups. The Greek groups on campus are expected to bring the campus community together through numerous events such as dances, games, and food-oriented get-togethers. This provides a very unique and memorable campus life experience at Grove City College.

 

Starting the end of Freshman year, students may rush to join these housing groups for their Sophomore year. But some students may find that the Greek life isn’t for them and there’s nothing wrong with that. You may not be a part of the same experiences that those in these housing groups, fraternities, and sororities have, but your time at Grove City College will be full of similar experiences.

 

Life outside the Greek halls isn’t much different than if you were on the hall. Unlike most colleges, all groups still live in the dorms on campus; there are no frat/sorority houses off campus. You’ll be able to hang out in your friends’ rooms, who may be in a Greek group. You’ll still be able to walk out of your room and see your friends in the halls. You’ll still walk to lunch with them the same way that you would if there were no housing groups.

 

For me, many of the friends I have made through sports or through classes are in different Greek groups on campus. Even though I don’t want to live on a hall with a lot of guys, I still feel that I am able to be a part of their small community on campus. I still have meals with them and hang out in their rooms without feeling pressured to join them.

 

During your sophomore year, you may realize that you are spending a lot of time with your friends who are all in fraternities or sororities. If this is the case, you can always try to join! You’re never locked into a fraternity, sorority, or housing group at Grove City College. It’s up to the group but you can join during whichever year you are currently in!

 

Grove City College’s goal of achieving campus unity is expressed through its student housing arrangements. It doesn’t matter what background you come from, Grove City College has the right college living style for you.

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A Letter to My Freshman Self

Dear freshman self,

There is something so special and life-giving about being a freshman. You have so much to learn and so much life to live in the next years. The excitement of all of the possibilities is overwhelming. You are in a new place with new people and new freedoms that you have never had before, but with all of this excitement comes a lot of responsibility. Through my four years at Grove City College, there are 10 things that I have gleaned from my experience, and I wish more than anything that someone would have told me these things when I was a freshman. But, freshman self, these are the lessons that God wanted and needed you to learn, and it is okay that you went through that pain and heartache because without that you would not have come out the other side a better woman. So here are 10 small lessons that I wish you would have known…

  1. God is in control, which means nothing is an accident.

It might seem like the things that happen are unfair or like God is not there, but He is. Always and forever. Trust in him no matter what.

  1. At the end of the day, Greek groups do not matter.

Yes, Greek life is so much fun. I loved being in a group so much. But it does not define who you are or who you can hang out with because after you leave this campus, it does not matter anymore. So do not let the Greek letters you wear keep you from being friends with people.

  1. Red flags apply to friendships.

If you see red flags in your friendships, listen to them.

  1. It truly does not matter what other people think about you.

This is still a lesson I am learning, but it is so true. It is a hard thing to put into practice, but you will enjoy your life so much more if you learn to not listen to the things other people say about you.

  1. If you trust your friends, then listen to their advice.

You take time to pour into the relationships you have, why would you not listen to the advice they have? This can relate to boys or clothes or anything. You need to trust that they have your best interest in mind.

  1. Do not be so judgmental.

Everyone is different and that is okay. Embrace the differences that you see instead of feeling insecure by them. If you learn to accept others rather than fighting, you will have more peace.

  1. Do not overcommit.

It is so easy in Grove City to stretch yourself soooo thin. Groverachieving is a very real thing and it makes it hard to say no to things. But fight the need to be involved in everything. You can say no, and it is okay. Please learn that saying no is not a sign of weakness, and it does not mean that people will not like you.

  1. Do not wish the time away.

The time in college is special, and your time here can never be replaced. Do not wish for it to be over. Notice the little things and appreciate the time you have to learn and grow and make special memories. Life is hard, and it will only get harder after you graduate so just soak in all the time you have at Grove City.

  1. Think about what is important.

Your priorities will always be changing, but at the core what are the things that matter the most to you? Knowing where your priorities lie makes all the difference in navigating life. If you do not know what is important to you, you will not stand for anything. So, formalize your priorities.

  1. Just Love.

Love other people and love your time. You will be happier if you learn to love first.

This list is not extensive, and it is not everything you will learn. Learn to fall in love with your life and do not worry so much. Take these lessons and learn from life experience. You are gonna grow more than you could ever imagine and that is good. You have amazing friends and a loving man and even though life is not perfect, it is so good. You will learn that life does not have to be perfect to be good. I hope these four years are a special time for you.

Love,

Senior self