A First-Year’s first impressions of first semester
As the second semester of my first year at UNC begins, I wanted to look back on my first semester as a Tar Heel.
Traditions
It is no surprise that a school that was established in 1789 has many traditions passed down throughout the years. As a first-year student, I did not realize how quickly I would learn all of them. At orientation, I loved learning all of the chants that would soon come in handy at every sporting event imaginable.
Learning the campus
Walking from class to class makes it much harder to gain that pesky freshman 15. Every day of the semester, I ended up with over 10,000 steps. I'm pretty proud to say I figured out the UNC campus in only a few days.
No shortage on food
Whether it's Franklin Street or one of the dining halls, you will never go hungry on campus. In my first semester, I have tried numerous types of food I have never even heard of. I have expanded my palate more in the past five months than my entire lifetime.
Free stuff
A parental lesson students quickly forget when they become a Tar Heel is never taking free things from strangers. Walking in The Pit between classes or at lunch, I always noticed a large gathering of students around the tables giving away free stuff. Between stickers, t-shirts and especially food, you can get UNC kids to any event when there are free things involved.
You will find your niche
I quickly learned that there is at least one club or team for everyone at UNC. When I walked onto Hooker Fields during my first Fall Fest, I saw an infinite amount of places I could belong. Thankfully, I found a place for my love of writing — The Tab.
Part of a family
Despite UNC having around 30,000 students, you still feel a tight bond with everyone around you. Whenever you are on campus or out in the world and see someone with a UNC t-shirt, you feel a connection with that person. With so many alumni all over the world, there is a whole network of us who bleed Carolina blue.