Have You Met Emily?

College Solutions recently caught up with Emily, a freshman at Quinnipiac University on what it was like working with College Solutions and how she’s enjoying her freshman year.

It is a weird year, we know, but how are you liking college?

It has definitely been a weird year, but I love college. I am happy and grateful to be on campus this year. I know a lot of people who either could not be on campus or are on campus but have all online classes. I only spent one week at the end of the first semester at home doing classes, and it was very difficult to focus because it did not feel like college, it just felt like I was in meetings all day. 

Is college how you thought it would be? What is your favorite part about the freshman college experience? Least favorite part?

College is pretty much what I thought it would be because I have a lot of family members and friends that are in college. That being said, since I had never been to college without COVID, I haven’t experienced college in a different way. My favorite part about the freshman college experience is our community. Just the other day, the baseball team had their first game that we could watch in person, and it made me so happy to see all the students out there cheering the team on… even though we had to stay 6 feet apart. The only thing I can think of that I do not really like is that our parents are not allowed on campus, but that is a COVID restriction, so I understand.

How has the quarantine affected your college experience?

Quarantine has affected my college experience, but it hasn’t been terrible. I think that since we were not allowed to go into other dorms or go out as often helped me create a steady schedule, so I can balance learning with fun. This also helped me create a tighter bond with people in my dorm, and I am not sure we would have gotten to know each other this well if it weren’t for the fact we couldn’t go to many other places. I think my school did a great job protecting our community from COVID, and I only left college a week early last semester. This semester they are starting to lift some regulations and they have already informed us that classes will be in person next semester. 

You are in the 4+3 Athletic Training and Doctor of Physical Therapy dual program. How are you finding the program?

I love the program so far. We just started our Athletic Training courses this semester, and I am having so much fun learning in classes and labs.

Were you able to get the vaccine because of your major?

I got my vaccine because I am a camp counselor, but some people further along in the health sciences program who are doing clinicals were able to get it. 

What is it about Quinnipiac that attracted you when you were applying? Did you make the right choice – is Quinnipiac the right place for you?

The program was the main thing that got me to pick this school and that it was not too big of a school, so I could really get to know my professors. The school is also beautiful and I feel at home here, so that is a bonus. I absolutely made the right choice!

You danced and played field hockey in high school – have you been able to get involved in either of those – or other extracurriculars on campus this year?

With my heavy load of classes this semester I did not try out for the dance team, but next semester I already know I will have fewer classes and I definitely want to try out. Besides that I am in three clubs: Athletic Training Club, Physical Therapy Club, and Practice You Club. I joined all of these clubs this semester and that was because I wanted time to get situated with my classes and I did not want to overfill my schedule in the fall.

What did you find most helpful in researching colleges?

I am grateful that I had College Solutions to help along the way during my college research and applying process. The most helpful thing for me was the rating sheets I used for each college. I could visually compare how I felt when I visited each college, and that helped me knock out some of my choices when it came to the final decision. 

What are you planning to do this summer?

I am planning on being a sleep-away camp counselor at Camp Young Judaea.