My name is Emily Hoover, I am a freshman here at UPJ. I am from a small town just forty-five minutes from here called, Bellwood. I have lived in Bellwood, Pa my entire life, never experiencing anything else. Sure, I've been on vacations, and I consider myself blessed with all the traveling I've been able to experience, but I have never lived anywhere else, until now. Move in day was tough, especially for my parents, my mother in particular. She didn't want to see her first and only daughter leave her. You could say she was experiencing a bit of empty nest. I thought I was going to have a hard time adjusting to college life, but to my surprise, I am doing quite well. In fact, I have seen some significant changes in my overall character.

Since I've come to college, I have become a bit more positive than I was in high school. High school was not easy for me and let's just say that I'm happy to be out of there. I love everything about college. You have so much freedom to just be whoever you choose to be. I am loving every second of it. While being in school, I have stopped biting my nails. It such a small difference, but I'm happy that I was able to break the habit. I've also started to be a bit more healthy. I try to hit the gym with my friends three to four times a week. We also, try to eat healthier. When it comes to making decisions, it is something extremely hard for me to do. I have been debating to cut my hair for the longest time. Every time I would ask someone what they thought, they always replied with, "Awe, you're hair is so long and pretty. Don't cut it!" Because of these comments, I decided to keep my hair the length it was at. I just recently decided on a whim that I didn't give a shit what anyone said, I liked it! So I went that night and got it all chopped off. There is nothing more liberating than cutting off all your hair! I can say, that my hair has never been healthier.

All in all, I'm very excited to see what happens in the future for me at this school! I recently just declared elementary education with special education and I could not be happier! I know I am going to like it here.