Who are they?

OPINION

Leadership Safari leaders pose for a photo.

Transfer students, take time to make friends, make mistakes

Going into my third (and hopefully final) year at Central Michigan University, I cannot help but feel appreciative of those friends I have been able to make throughout the years, and the ones who have been there since my elementary, middle and high school days.

Thinking specifically to my time in college, I started off at Grand Rapids Community College where I worked on the campus newspaper, The Collegiate, and met a lot of great people and made a lot of friends.

But, during my time at GRCC, especially my second year there, I found myself making the 77-mile journey from my home to CMU to spend almost every weekend with the new friends I had made. There was a small core of five of us that went on all kinds of adventures including my first CMU football game (homecoming against Toledo), my first Division I college basketball game (Jan. 27, 2018, the CMU men’s team against Kent State in McGuirk Arena) and some other shenanigans.

What was underlying all of our adventures was me falling in love with the campus. I thoroughly enjoyed all the time I spent in Mount Pleasant and I became accustomed to what life would be like as a student, without actually being one — yet. Around October 2018, I was preparing myself to make the jump from community college to the 4-year university of my choice. I knew there was really only one place I wanted to be — CMU.

I had friends I could lean on and I already knew my way around campus. Plus, CMU has an excellent journalism program — one of two accredited programs in the state (Michigan State is the other) — and I knew that was what I wanted to do. On Feb. 6, 2018, I officially became a Chippewa when I was accepted to the university.

From there, I wrapped up my time at GRCC and again made the trip from Grand Rapids to Mount Pleasant, this time as a student, just before the semester started in August 2018.

I participated in Leadership Safari, all of my core friends did Sa

Austin Chastain Sports Editor

fari in the past and said the experience was second-to-none and it helped them accommodate themselves to campus. My experience was a little different, we spent a lot of time at the Indoor Athletic Complex, but I still enjoyed the week.

During the week of Safari, the days were long and I could feel myself getting homesick — trust me, that’s normal.

But with the help of my friends, I was actually living with one of my “core” friends for the first year, the adjustment to living on my own was relatively easy. There were several difficulties: longing to see my family, missing my dogs, learning how to shop and cook for myself, other than grilled cheese sandwiches and macaroni and cheese, learning to manage my finances — still working on that one — and balancing working hard and playing hard.

Just before the Fall 2018 semester started, I knew I needed to apply to join Central Michigan Life as a reporter. At GRCC, I had toured the newsroom twice and knew that was where I wanted to be. In an effort to expand my experience in journalism, and to find a bit of individuality, I joined the staff as a sports reporter covering the field hockey beat.

I will save the rest of my CM Life experience for later down the road, but through CM Life, I was able to find out more of who I am and what I am about. I was also able to make a lot of friends, especially the crew on the sports desk.

Now, I am not saying it is required to join CM Life (it is highly encouraged, though!) taking some time to figure out who you are and what you are all about will help the transfer process go a lot smoother. An easy way to do that is to join registered student organization (RSO) or a club — something along those lines. Clubs and RSOs are also a great way to make friends with similar interests as you, too.

One of the biggest pieces of my career at CMU has been learning that it is OK to make mistakes, as long as you own up to those mistakes. I have made plenty of mistakes during my time at CMU, and there have been some significant ones. I have some regrets already going into my final year at CMU, but I know there are plenty of opportunities to right those wrongs and come out on the other side a better man.

Another piece of advice I would give transfer students is to take the opportunity to explore Mount Pleasant more than just what you see on the corner of Broomfield and Mission. There are so many great places to eat, hang out and drink (if you are of age, of course) around the city. Cash in on the opportunity to enjoy the time with your new friends. Obviously, that will be tough amid the coronavirus pandemic, but take each opportunity you can when the pandemic subsides, and it will.

For now, however, enjoy the time we will have together on campus. People say it flies by, especially for transfer students — it really does. Remember to work hard, have fun, safely, and create memories you can carry with you for a lifetime. After all, education, experience and life-long friendships are what college is all about.