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Peer Mentors Rock- I'm Used to It Here my biggest worries: meeting new people. I felt FERNANDO GOMES unsure of myself, awkward around not only so many STAFF WRITER freshmen, but so many other upperclassmen serving Only a couple of short weeks ago, 1made the tran- as peer mentors; but, the reality of it was that we sition from just another high school student living at were all awkward freshmen! It hit me that we were home to a freshman on his own in college, along all nervous about meeting each other, and from with about five hundred others. During the summer, there, introductions took place, slowly, but surely, and even before, while we were all suffering the and partially helped out by connections previously effects of senioritis brought on by an onslaught of made on Facebook over the summer (though that final projects and papers, it seemed like the day did create some awkward moments for me). Not would never arrive, that we would still be carefree only that, but my peer mentor was amazing. She high schoolers for as long as we chose. bestowed upon all of us her wisdom about On August 23, the reality was brought on, full McDaniel, including the secrets and hints they don't force. Still fatigued from hours of last-minute pack- necessarily tell you in the view book, and soon it ing the night before, anxiety took over aU other feel- wasn't long before I knew a lot about the campus, ing. Most of us, like me, probably spent hours talk- and had gotten a real perspective on colJege life. ing to friends only days before about the common Finding my way around campus was also worries of college. Will I get along with my room- pretty much another concern of mine. While I may actually tolera- mate? Will my classes be hard? Will r make friends? have a good sense of direction, it's still a new place ble. I have had worse food Who will Ibe able to talk to? What will I be able to to me here. Luckily, the activities of orientation and on other campuses, and if there is absolutely do on campus? AU these thoughts swam around in constant mini-tours by my peer mentor allowed me nothing that I like on the menu, Ican always my mind as I checked in at each station set up to to really know the location of many of the buildings fall back on the pizza, which, personally, I find to bring us freshmen one step closer to being actual col- on our fairly small campus. It still didn't stop me be quite good here. lege students. Now, in retrospect, after having spent from being lost on my way to my first French class, In all, my time on the Hill has been memo- some actual time on the Hill, r almost feel ridiculous though. I'm finally used to getting where I need to rable so far, that's for sure. I'm never at a lack of for having such worries. be, but I'm still not used to having to climb or doing anything, whether academically or otherwise, Orientation definitely played a big factor in eas- descend multiple staircases in order to get some- and every day brings me a new surprise. Freshman ing the transition to McDaniel. Let's start with one of where. I have yet to master the skill that my peer year as a new green terror is sure to be interesting. Hills Hurt, But Dorms Sure are Cozy running everyday. The scenery isn't too bad so it's worthy of treating a girl right. LAUREN LAKER . kind of fun to go for a run in the town. Surprisingly the bathrooms STAFF WRITER Now, the food is a different story. You either get haven't been so bad. The girls on Well, all ( have to say is so far-so good. I really something good or something bad there's no in the fourth floor of Whiteford are can't complain, this experience will definitely be between. The other day I got a chicken wrap with a ;~~ ~~ ~1I!i~~M remembered. When I first came here early in the salad and that wasn't really anything to complain ~~~J~n~~;lin~e;~~:;r~ toilet paper just lying around. We morning ready for admissions, Iopened my trunk about. However, the day before that r picked the are pretty clean. My first and all the upper classmen could say was "Wow!" Alfredo pasta and turkey, which wasn't such a good thoughts of the shower were iffy~;~;m~ What can I say, I had a lot of things in the trunk. It choice. Lets just say the bathroom was my friend but it actually wasn't so bad. It's took them around four shifts to bring everything up. that night. I mean I was moving out, I needed everything in Everyone is vel)' nice SO far. I have met many new not as nice as the shower at home order to survive. Later that week Ieven had to go to people who are but it does the trick. The toilets Wal-mart to pick up some odds and ends. It was fun always willing to have only been clogged once putting my room together; I always wanted to know help my poor self. I so that's a good start also. 1'm what a true dorm room was like. Mine's okay, it's tend to get lost a lot very surprised and grateful pretty cozy. but I'm getting to that the bathrooms are so The one thing I'm worried about is gaining the know my way clean. freshmen fifteen. However, there are so many ", ",~. around. It gets better So far this experience has steps on campus that I doubt I'm gaining any and better each day. As for been one to never forget. I'm the boys I have seen a so excited to make some new ~ae~;~: h~O::~~:;;f~~~ fl~~r ~~~~~~~~~~e:s'--""""---1iIIII couple lookers, howev- fun memories here at The Hill. And I me out of breath every time I walk all the way er, some must be hiding hope to also make a bunch of new friends to up. Yes, I know that's sad but at least it's exer- ~~""-.JJ' in their dorms still. But, looks carry through my four years at McDaniel. cise. I try so hard not to use the elevator, but it's so are not everything. I have Good luck to all the freshmen, and I hope your tempting. McDaniel is like a gym just located out- found very genuine boys first year is a fantastic one. side; so many obstacles and steps galore. I plan to go who are definitely un Facts About Freshmen and Life Around Them The editors of The McDaniel Free Press are proud to present you with a new section ill the paper called "Did You Know?" This section will be a brief sidebar of information that: will fill you with facts you might not haue known othenuise. Got more topics or information? E-mail A lyse Hollomon at all,OOl@mcdaniei.edu. Enjoy! ~ 2,705 first year applications were received for this academic year Last spring, rumors started to fly around campus that Rouzer and Whiteford were ... ~ 1,988 first year students were accepted to McDaniel for this academic year going to be co-ed. "We did discuss the possibility of housing first year students in Rouzer '. 478 first year students and 71 transfer students decided to attend McDaniel this academic year. This made and Whiteford, co-ed by floor, meaning each floor would be designated men or women," the total number of new students on campus 549. This is "one of the largest class sizes we've seen in recent said Elizabeth Towle, Associate Dean of Student Affairs. "There was a change in the renovation history," according to Gina Rende, Acting Director of Admissions. plan in the spring and the discussion turned toward building a new residence hall rather than a The new students on campus come from 23 different states, Including California, Maine, Oregon, major Rouzer renovation and we decided that for now Rouzer would remain all men." Now the ? and Texas. rumors can be put to rest. There are 6 International students from various countries including Hungary, Myanmar, and Zambia. * Renovations such as new carpet, fresh paint, and stairwell improvements were done in Rouzer 67% of the first year students are Maryland residents. this summer. Dean Towle suggests that if you haven't seen the new Rouzer go take a look. "It (statistics according to Gina Rende, Acting Director of Admissions) looks great!" says Towle.