It’s been almost a month since I made the transition. What made me chose this decision is that living with a group of girls is fun and all, but I like to have my own space. I also like to be alone sometimes and have personal time to myself. Living on campus wasn’t for me, and it’s not what I expected. I’m used to being alone, so that’s what I realized I preferred.
It was a small process to go through to be able to commute. I had to give my reasons for why I wanted to commute to the residential housing office. I was waiting for about three days to find out what their decision was. They finally reached out to me while I was in class, and I was so excited and happy to be commuting.
Once I got the decision, I made my way to my dorm and started packing my things. I called my mom and told her what was happening, and that’s when she came to pick me up. It was a long day that day, but it was all worth it because I was finally happy and not homesick anymore.
La’Mya Perry graduated from Lloyd C. Bird High School. If you see her out on campus, feel free to say hi. She’s super friendly—how many people recruit a suitemate after meeting them for the first time at the IT Helpdesk during orientation?
She’s majoring in biology and considering joining an intramural volleyball team. In high school, her favorite class was Algebra II and she was involved in Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA).
Here are some random interesting facts from La’Mya about herself:
Whether I’m looking for something to do or somewhere I can get help — I don’t have to look far to find it here at Longwood.
As far as getting help, the Writing Center is a good example. The center is such a great resource to help me do the best that I can with my writing—which is not one of my strengths. I recently went to the center for help with an assignment in my Society and Media class, which is for my major in communication sciences and disorders. I had to write a paper about a famous person who has brought public awareness to a disability.
The students who work at the Writing Center are very patient and kind. They helped me with my grammar and punctuation, and with writing a stronger conclusion to the paper. I was really nervous when I first went to the center, but now I am feeling confident. They helped me realize that I’m not a bad writer—I’m just still learning.
I’m also becoming more confident in my study skills. I had my first test recently, and I have discovered that flash cards and study groups are the best way for me to study. Also, studying a little each night helps. The library has really nice group study rooms.
To take a break from my homework and assignments, I have gone to some of the Lancer Productions events!
There were a lot of people at Casino Night. A bunch of friends from my floor went together. We played roulette, black jack and poker—not with real money, of course. We used play money, and any that we had left over at the end of the evening we could use to “buy” raffle tickets for cool prizes. The evening also included an airbrush artist who was giving temporary tattoos, a person making balloon animals and a big selection of great desserts.
On another occasion, I went to a show by a really awesome magician, Daniel Martin.
I also went to a fun craft night inspired by Pinterest. I made fabric coasters, a dray erase board photo frame and some “slime,” and I painted some jars. All the materials were provided, including a bunch of different fabrics to choose from for the coasters. The slime was really fun to make and play with.
Seven-pointed Princeps crowns can be found throughout campus. Princeps is a student organization devoted to developing leadership skills.
As the semester progresses, Brooklynn is discovering what study strategies work best for her.
Brooklynn Weissenfluh graduated from Jamestown High school. She has three brothers—not so unusual—but two of them were born on the same day she was. They’re triplets! They decided to break up the “set” when they chose where to go to college, so Brooklynn is at Longwood on her own. However, her older brother did go to Longwood and graduated in 2017.
Brooklynn is a communication sciences and disorders major, and she loves to paint. In high school, her favorite classes were AP psychology and language arts, and science classes. She was involved in the National Honor Society, National English Honor Society and the Exceptional Eagles club, which was a club that helped special needs students.
Here are some random interesting facts from Brooklynn about herself:
I love popcorn. I usually have it every day.
I am social butterfly. I love talking to people and meeting new people. It is so fun to me!
I love country music even though most of my friends hate it. It’s the music I was raised on. Kenny Chesney has to be my all-time favorite. His concert was the first one I went to—in first grade. I love Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Thomas Rhett and Dierks Bentley just to name a few others!
As the season begins to change and upcoming holidays approach, we wanted to be the cheerful part of the third floor of our hall.
Laya, Lauren and I had a blast decorating our dorm room door. We ran to Walmart grabbing everything that we felt was fall. As we picked up all of our door decorations, we joked and played around getting lots of ideas.
When we came back to the dorm to decorate, we played our music. We sang with no thought of being too loud. Everyone could hear us laughing and our jokes. They got curious and came out into the hall. They stood around watching and eating snacks like we were performing in a full show. They kept saying, “That’s so cool and cute.”
The other people on our floor were so inspired by our little door that we happened to set a trend of door decorating. We even encouraged a door-decorating contest for Halloween.
I guess it’s stuff like that gets you comfortable with dorm life. This little thing we did for fun definitely helped us get used to the people around us and to make new friends. It was great because living away from home takes time to get used to.
Jayla Beechaum graduated from Richmond Community High School. Her favorite classes there were anatomy and biology, and she was involved in Student Government, Math Honor Society, Robotics Club and the Environmental Club—to name just a few.
Jayla will be focusing on her studies as she works toward her goal of going to medical school—she’s majoring in biology—but she’s also taking time for other things important to her. Like hauling in and storing away the 15 pairs of shoes she brought with her on move-in day (with more on the way) and working in the admissions office.
Here are some random interesting facts from Jayla about herself:
My favorite pastime is listening to music and running. I like being able to clear my head while being active.
My favorite movie in the world is The Lion King. The first time I watched it, I cried when Mufasa died.
I like hanging out and meeting new people. So if you see me, just say HEY!
After being here for a little over a month, Longwood feels like home.
The people I surround myself with make it so much more fun and enjoyable because you’re never really all alone. Being a part of the women’s lacrosse team gives me an opportunity to meet so many new people, and I get along with them so well.
As you know, the Longwood community is small. All of the activities are a lot of fun, but it is all about what you make of it—such as the athletics events. My suitemates are field hockey players, so you will see me watching most of their home games. Before I came here, I had never gone to a field hockey game because they didn’t have it where I lived. It was a thrill to watch! The soccer games are also a lot of fun to watch, and basketball season is approaching as well. There’s always a sport going on throughout the year.
The best part about it is that you see all the athletes around, and everyone knows each other. You go to everyone else’s games, and they end up coming to yours. You always want a crowd watching your game for spirit, so it is really nice to support each other and cheer on our school!
I can’t wait for spring to come around for our season so everyone can come out and watch!
Lacrosse practice somewhere over the rainbow.Lacrosse practice somewhere over the rainbow.
Averee Gerold carries a big stick—but not all the time. She’s a lacrosse player. Her success in the sport in high school led to her being recruited for Longwood’s Division I lacrosse team.
Averee is a graduate of Ashley High School, where her favorite classes were nursing fundamentals and art. She was also involved in EC Buddies, Wings club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes there.
A kinesiology major, Averee will no doubt be able to bring her experience recovering from an ACL injury this summer into her future career. She also loves new experiences, so she’s in her element as a freshman at Longwood doing things she’s never done before. Although she could get some tips about what to expect from her first cousin and her cousin’s husband, who both graduated from Longwood in 2009.
Here are some random interesting facts from Averee about herself:
My favorite ice cream is mint chocolate chip.
I love going to the beach with family and friends.
Classes in general are more enjoyable in college than high school.
The best part about them is that you can have a break between classes and get other things done rather than sit in multiple classrooms in a seven-hour span. Although college classes may be more difficult, the challenge is nice because you can accomplish so much more and take what you learn and turn it into something that you may do in the future.
Some differences between the two environments: The professors are not as lenient in college, and you have to get everything done that is asked and turned in on time. In high school, teachers were more tolerant with assignments and let you turn in things later without punishment. Also, in college an abundant amount of classwork and homework is done on the computer. It is very important to keep track of your responsibilities and agendas, especially if you have extracurricular activities.
There are not many similarities, as I have found. College life is so much different. You are on your own with everything, but it is not too bad. I was told to not take high-school habits with me into college, and that was the most useful piece of advice that I was given.
I am still learning and getting the hang of things quickly.
Averee Gerold carries a big stick—but not all the time. She’s a lacrosse player. Her success in the sport in high school led to her being recruited for Longwood’s Division I lacrosse team.
Averee is a graduate of Ashley High School, where her favorite classes were nursing fundamentals and art. She was also involved in EC Buddies, Wings club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes there.
A kinesiology major, Averee will no doubt be able to bring her experience recovering from an ACL injury this summer into her future career. She also loves new experiences, so she’s in her element as a freshman at Longwood doing things she’s never done before. Although she could get some tips about what to expect from her first cousin and her cousin’s husband, who both graduated from Longwood in 2009.
Here are some random interesting facts from Averee about herself:
My favorite ice cream is mint chocolate chip.
I love going to the beach with family and friends.
