New bus routes, icebreakers, unfamiliar faces, lakeside ducks, and that amazing, yet temporary, feeling of having “unlimited” money…

While some students are readapting to their old habits back on campus, others are learning how to navigate their first year in college. Missing a deadline, getting on the wrong bus, and messing up your sleep schedule are just bumps you’ll cross along the road. 

As we welcome new students, professors, faculty, and hopefully a 4.0 GPA, let’s welcome this 2025 fall semester with open arms.

This is the time of year when I often experience moments of sonder, wondering how everyone’s stories will unfold. There are so many faces that become part of our morning routine that we never get to meet. It’s bittersweet. After an eventful first week of classes, I asked some of our fellow Eagles how they felt going into their fall semester! 

—————————————————————————————————-

First Weeks Reviews

• In one word, describe your first week of classes!

Funny–⭐Peyton Harris-Davis, Freshman, Bahamas, Biomedical Sciences.

Exciting—⛳Daxwell Carrera, Sophomore, USA, Accounting and Finance.

Busy—Juan Samara, Sophomore, Honduras, Electrical Engineering.

Stressful—Kemi Jegede, Sophomore, Nigeria, Exercise Science.

Exhausting—Mary-Anne Ike, Sophomore, Nigeria, Software Engineering.

“I had no idea where I was going, but my teachers were funny.”⭐Peyton Harris-Davis

—————————————————————————————————-

  Challenges and Motivations

• How do you usually motivate yourself when you feel overwhelmed? Especially in your first week of college, how do you feel?

⭐Peyton Harris-Davis, Freshman, Bahamas, Biomedical Sciences: “I tell myself that to succeed, I have to be responsible, especially financially responsible.”

⛳Daxwell Carrera, Sophomore, USA, Accounting and Finance:  “I usually take a brain reset, whether that’s eating, sleeping, or going outside.” 

Juan Samara, Sophomore, Honduras, Electrical Engineering: “I talk to my grandpa, who always reminds me I have to work hard.”

Kemi Jegede, Sophomore, Nigeria, Exercise Science: “I talk to my heavenly father and renew my strength. Take a deep breath and continue.”

Mary-Anne Ike, Sophomore, Nigeria, Software Engineering: I watch something funny, sleep, eat, and pray. 

• What has been the hardest part of your week? What have you done to make it easier? 

“Completing five psych assignments from Monday. Playing Drake on my speaker and dancing helps!” ⭐Peyton Harris-Davis

“Trying to find a way on campus because I moved to an apartment off campus. The bus route changes also caused a lot of people to walk in the heat, which can cause heat exhaustion. On top of that, parking is an issue. I’ve spent 30 to 45 minutes trying to find parking, and I was late to class because of it. But I’m trying to find a way to get to campus promptly.”⛳Daxwell Carrera

“Waking up early has been the hardest part, especially while living far away from campus, but going to bed early works.”Juan Samara

“The change in bus route and having to walk for so long were challenging, but eating before leaving and waking up early definitely helped.”Kemi Jegede

“Navigating work, school, and personal life. Having a personal schedule and sticking to it has been the greatest help for me.” Mary-Anne Ike

• What’s one personal goal you have for yourself this semester?

⭐Peyton Harris-Davis: Stay focused and be involved around campus!

⛳Daxwell Carrera: I want to study more, not right before exams, but just in general.

Juan Samara: A big goal I want for this year is to reopen the SHPE (Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers) at GSU, and a smaller goal of mine is to stop sleeping in late. 

Kemi Jegede: To actually go to the gym consistently. 

Mary-Anne Ike: Start and continue my gym journey!

• Is there anything you want to change about your lifestyle? 

⭐Peyton Harris-Davis: Every day I tell myself not to go broke… Be financially responsible!

⛳Daxwell Carrera: Make studying a habit, not a chore. 

Juan Samara: I want to eat healthier and achieve my weight goal before the semester ends. 

Kemi Jegede: I want to be more planned, ready for everything. Don’t procrastinate. 

Mary-Anne Ike: I want to plan my days better and begin my gym journey. Be consistent! 

—————————————————————————————————-

Eagles’ Survival Pack

• What’s your go-to coffee order or snack that gets you through a long day? 

⭐ Peyton: The Rice Krispies from Starbucks

⛳ Daxwell Carrera: Taco Bell chalupa

Juan Samara: A Protein Bar

Kemi Jegede: Candy!

Mary-Anne Ike: Dunkin’ Caramel Iced Coffee

• If your semester could be a piece of media (song, movie, TV, book, etc), what would you like it to be?

⭐ Peyton: A.N.T. Farm, the TV show

⛳ Daxwell Carrera: Last Friday Night by Katy Perry

Juan Samara: The Wolf of Wall Street, dir. by Martin Scorsese

Kemi Jegede: Perfect Day by Hoku

Mary-Anne Ike: I have no idea at this point!

• If you could only bring one item to survive the semester, what would it be?

⭐ Peyton: Hot Pockets

⛳ Daxwell Carrera: My cat, Tom.

Juan Samara: AirPods

Kemi Jegede: Gum

Mary-Anne Ike: A big tray of my comfort food

—————————————————————————————————-

  Eagle Insights

“College is as easy or as hard as you make it out to be.” –⛳Daxwell Carrera, a sophomore double-majoring in Accounting and Finance, originally from Miami, Florida. 

“This semester, I applied to the Southern Investment Association (SIA). Do more research on programs and clubs to join. They can be useful in the future, especially for building connections and gaining experience for your future career.” – Juan Samara, second year Electrical Engineering student, from Honduras.

“Friends will come when they want to, do not fall into pressure to do anything.” –Kemi Jegede, a Sophomore, from Nigeria, studying Exercise Science! 

“Eat Breakfast! It’s truly the most important meal of the day!” –Mary-Anne Ike, international student from Nigeria, who’s a woman in STEM, in her second year studying software engineering

—————————————————————————————————-

Questions for Your Future Self.

⭐ “How did you pass pre-calc?”

⛳ “Did you have more fun this semester than your first semester as a freshman?”

“Did you get an internship yet?”

“Did you find your balance?”

“Did you reach your goal? Academically, physically, and spiritually?

—————————————————————————————————-

My advice? 

Do with the time you’re given as you please. Join that club, talk to strangers, bother your professors with emails, ask questions, and take advantage of every opportunity presented to you. 

Or don’t. Time will pass anyway.