At first, NKU wasn’t my first choice for college, or even my second for that matter. I had my heart set on going to a much larger university at least an hour away from where I had spent the last 18 years. Unfortunately, that didn’t work out. I’ll be honest with you, I was devastated when I realized I was going to have to live at home and go to Northern. I was angry and determined that I would only be a Norse until my sophomore year and then I would transfer. Well, here I am in the second semester of my sophomore year and I couldn’t imagine leaving Norse Nation.
Since my freshman year, I’ve joined a sorority where I’ve fallen in love with my sisters and what we stand for. I’ve met amazing people in the Northern Kentucky Marketing Association who, whether they know it or not, are helping me figure out what I want to major in. I’ve had professors who really care about making sure I succeed and do everything they can to make it a reality. I’ve met with advisors who put up with my constant changing of majors with smiles on their faces.
I think the steps near Loch Norse are beautiful in the winter underneath a fresh blanket of snow. I love being able to go to the fourth floor of Steely and still be able to hear everyone laughing from the back of the third floor. I’m constantly thinking about working out in the new Rec Center, and although I never do, I enjoy knowing I have the option to in such an amazing facility. The sense of community in the Student Union is a feeling I couldn’t get at any other university. This campus has become my home and I can’t picture myself wearing anything other than black and gold.
As for living at home during college, it’s really not as bad as I thought. It’s nice to be with my family when I’m having a meltdown over an upcoming exam which happens more than I care to admit. I’ve been able to learn how to balance work, school, sorority, and family commitments. Actually, that one is a work in progress, but at least I’m trying. I’ve realized that I didn’t have to move away from home in order to get the “true college experience” we all crave because Northern has offered me everything I was looking for.
In a few years, I will proudly walk across the stage at the BB&T Arena and accept my diploma from Northern Kentucky University. While I am unsure of what my future career will be, I am confident that I’m at the right university to find out. One day when I have a family of my own and it's time for my children to start thinking about college, I'm going to tell them why I'm glad I got stuck at NKU.
