"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
My first semester at Waynesburg University showed me that sometimes the biggest blessings are right in front of you—you just don’t realize it at first.
Waynesburg was never part of my original plan. I live only 15 minutes from campus, and I always assumed I’d go somewhere farther from home. But one tour of the Department of Education changed everything. In that moment, I knew Waynesburg was exactly where I was meant to be.
Early in the semester, I was fortunate enough to find the most incredible friends—people who feel like lifelong companions even though we’ve only known each other for a few months. Who would’ve thought that playing pickleball and watching a silly little TV show every Wednesday night could bring me the group of girls I never knew I needed?
At my high school graduation, a high school teacher—and Waynesburg alumnus—gave me a piece of advice that stuck with me: “Your experience is going to be what you make it. Be involved in as many things as you can, and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Get everything you possibly can out of your college experience, because there’s nothing else like it.” I carried those words with me and made it a point to get involved. I joined Book Club, Young Life and Delight, and even gained professional experience through University Relations and the Pathways Center.
Throughout the semester, I also learned just how essential organization is in college. In the words of Dr. Kelley Solomon, chairperson for the Department of Education, “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” As the year goes on, classes, activities and responsibilities start to stack up quickly. My biggest piece of advice for incoming students is to create some kind of system—whether it’s a physical planner or an app on your phone—to help you stay organized and on top of everything.
If I hadn’t chosen Waynesburg, I honestly don’t think my college experience would be even half as fulfilling as it has been. It’s hard to believe my first semester is already over; it feels like just yesterday I moved into my dorm as a nervous, anxious first-semester student. Yet here I am, already grateful for the memories, the growth and the unexpected blessings this place has given me.
About the Department of Education at Waynesburg University
Hands-on learning, personalized support, and extensive field experience—your path to a successful teaching career starts here! At Waynesburg University, you'll take classes that emphasize the knowledge, skills, and competencies required for successful teaching in the 21st century classroom.
