WKU freshmen find their footing in first weeks

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WNKY) — The first two weeks of college at Western Kentucky University have brought new responsibilities, heavier coursework and unfamiliar routines for freshmen Elizabeth Dye and Micah Payne. Both say adjusting to life on campus has meant learning how to manage their time, meet new people and take more ownership of their day-to-day lives.

A new level of responsibility

For Dye, one of the biggest differences from high school has been realizing how much is now left up to her.

“Everything is like your responsibility,” Dye said. “Getting to your classes, like, whether you’re late or not. Like everything is on you, like your, you know, all of your coursework.”

That shift became clear almost immediately. Dye said she received an eight-page essay just two days into classes.

“And so I was like, oh, okay, we just started,” she said, contrasting the experience with high school, where she was used to having more time before major assignments began.

Even getting from class to class has taken some adjustment. Dye came from a smaller school where she could reach another classroom in about two minutes. At WKU, she said some walks between classes can take about 20 minutes.

The recent heat has added another challenge. She said she has sometimes stopped inside buildings to cool down during longer walks and has learned to take advantage of campus buses.

Learning when to ‘lock in’

Payne said time management and studying have been among his biggest adjustments.

“I didn’t have to study as much and took classes a little lightly,” Payne said of high school.

College has changed that routine. He said students may leave a class after taking notes, but the work continues afterward.

“You have to go back to your dorm or wherever you study at and lock in,” Payne said.

Payne and his roommate have built dedicated study time into their routine. He said they typically spend time studying together late at night after other activities are finished.

He entered WKU with about 30 college credit hours but said that also placed him into higher-level courses. Finding time to study while remaining active and involved has required more planning than he was used to in high school.

Finding a place on campus

The adjustment has also been social.

Dye said students can sometimes keep to themselves, making it important for freshmen who want to meet people to make an effort. WKU’s Master Plan activities helped her connect with other freshmen and begin building friendships.

For her, that has become one of the highlights of the first few weeks.

“I think just meeting new people, like we have such a diverse group of people at Western,” Dye said. “You get to meet so many different people.”

Payne, who came to WKU from Maysville, faced a similar challenge. He said he was the only boy from his graduating class to attend WKU and had to push himself outside his comfort zone.

“You know, just getting out of my comfort zone to meet new people and trying to make new friends,” Payne said.

Master Plan helped him meet several people, and joining a fraternity has given him another social circle. Payne said the people around him have also encouraged him academically and pushed him to improve.

He has family in Bowling Green, including two sisters and his grandparents, which he said gives the area a “home away from home” feeling.

Advice after the first few weeks

As their routines begin to take shape, both freshmen already have advice for students who may still be struggling with the transition.

Dye recommends looking for help rather than trying to handle everything alone.

“I would say lean on other people and find your resources,” she said, pointing to tutoring, professors and classmates as possible sources of support.

Payne said students should make time to enjoy college while keeping their academic responsibilities in focus.

“Take your time, have fun. You’re in college,” Payne said. “But, you know, you really have to focus on what you’re doing.”

A few weeks into the semester, both say they are beginning to settle into their routines. Dye has found a central place on campus to spend time between classes, while Payne has established regular study hours.

The adjustment is still unfolding, but the unfamiliar parts of college life are gradually becoming part of their everyday routine.