I can be so far away from where I live, but still feel at home” -Chloe, class of 2019

As the freshman begin to trickle in, I began to look back on the two years I have been at Wooster as a rising junior. I think back to the first time I saw the campus literally on decision day. Up until I took a tour of campus I was actually planning to go to another school, but something was tempting me to at least visit the school I now attend. As soon as I drove into campus I fell in love with the beauty that surrounded me. The hundreds of trees are breathtaking and the tour through campus made my heart swell. This was my new home.

“My favorite thing is the people, the diversity” -Emma, Class of 2019

The College of Wooster which hosts roughly 2,000 students is such a close-knit community. I felt as if I was able to make friends easily because of the small class sizes and how often I was able to see my classmates around campus. I love that there is such a wide diversity on campus as well. I feel like through Wooster I was able to learn more about people and their culture and where they were from. Who would have known my first roommate would come from another country and one of my closest friends would be from California. Being from a suburb in Ohio, I was never really able to get these experiences that Wooster has given me.

“The social environment of Wooster encourages people to grow personally at the same time as they’re growing academically.” -Dana, Class of 2017

The people at the college as mentioned above are fantastic. I was able to branch out socially because of the atmosphere that surrounds Wooster. Although academics are strongly valued there is the encouragement to be social and grow through the great amount of clubs and groups on campus. Though I had never intended to join one when entering college, I am now a part of a local sorority on campus. Even through the Greek Community, I was able to meet a lot more people and expand socially.

I think some of the best things about the College of Wooster are the traditions that come with going to school here. I think back to my freshman year at our failed attempt to fill the arch with snow. The rumor is that if you are able to fill the arch with snow, the college will cancel classes the next day. With hopes high and scarfs wrapped tight, we were ready to shove out trash cans filled with snow. I remember my hands beginning to numb from piling snow upon snow until we almost reached the very top. But that is not the only fun tradition the college has. I am looking forward to my senior year when I can steal my brick. Yes, you read that correctly. A tradition that seniors have is to steal a brick from the walkways surrounding the academic buildings after they have turned in their Independent Study. But don’t get too excited because stealing one early can cause you bad luck!

Lets be real, Wooster has probably one of the greatest dining halls compared to other schools. I know people love to complain about Lowry, but in reality, the fact that we have two dining halls plus Mom's is pretty fantastic. I especially enjoy the reusable To Go Boxes that the campus provides. It makes eating while studying a breeze.

"I like how approachable the professors are." Sara, Class of 2018

When you are not eating or socializing, you are probably studying. I personally love the fact that the college has such small classes. With a class size of 15-25 students you are really able to get to know your classmates as well as your professors. I am so grateful having the ability to form a great relationship with my professors that I have had on campus thus far. I am now a TA and have had other great opportunities because I was not just another name on a list of students.

Overall, the College of Wooster is for sure my home away from home. I am looking forward to what this upcoming year will bring and I cannot wait to begin classes. Thank you to everyone at Wooster for making it such a special place!