LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Niner Times Editor-in-Chief welcomes future forty-niners
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Dear future 49ers, Welcome! After a year like 2020, that welcome feels a little more exciting. Whether you are a transfer student or a first-year student, you have chosen UNC Charlotte as your new home, just like I did back in 2018. I can’t lie, UNC Charlotte was not my first choice. I grew up in Charlotte and felt like I really needed to leave my hometown in order to experience true college independence. Three years later, and I could not be happier that I chose UNC Charlotte as my home — 15 minutes away — from home. Through unprecedented times like the April 30 tragedy and a roaring pandemic, my college experience has been nothing close to “normal.” But UNC Charlotte has stayed strong and persistent, only confirming my decision to come here three years ago. The community you will feel at UNC Charlotte is incomparable. As big as this campus is, you will never feel out of place. Especially once you establish your interests and find your “people.” If you are doing college right, you will meet many people, especially at UNC Charlotte, these people will be from all different walks of life. It can be a humbling experience —to say the least— to meet people that are not like you. Some of my best college friends are those that look nothing like me and grew up differently, and I’m so grateful for that. Whether you meet people through your student organization, learning community, sport, or residence hall, my biggest piece of advice is to cherish the people you surround yourself with as a college student. These are the people who will see you at your highest of highs and lowest of lows. We all are here for the same reason: to further our education and work towards our goals. But we are also here to network, socialize and create friendships that (hopefully) last us a lifetime. However, your social battery will not last forever. Finding a balance is key to a pleasurable college experience. There will be times where you may just want to spend time with yourself and prioritize other aspects of your life. It is okay to be selfish sometimes. Take care of yourself and remember that your mental and physical health is just as important as your education and social life. Don’t
NINER NATION GUIDE 2021
be too hard on yourself. We all move at a different pace, and sometimes that pace has to slow down to keep yourself on track. That is the biggest thing that the pandemic has taught us; time is allowed to slow down! You don’t need to have everything figured out all of the time. College is a time to figure yourself out just as much as it is to try new things. Your interests may change from the time you begin college to the time you finish. Take it from me, someone that walked in as a dance education major but is finishing with a degree in communication studies; college may teach you more about yourself than you ever thought possible. If I never allowed myself to step outside of my comfort zone, I would have never found my home here at Student Niner Media. College can be the best four(ish) years of your life. Don’t wish them away or rush them. As I approach my senior year, I miss the days where I was still a freshman with fewer responsibilities—or so it felt like it. I long for more time with my friends, living in Lynch hall, rushing to my 8 a.m. classes. Value your time in college, and remember that this is a huge accomplishment. We at the Niner Times have put together a guide to your first year at UNC Charlotte. From dining to nightlife, we got you covered. Campus life and big change can be intimidating, but you never have to experience it alone. Obviously, we cannot account for everything you may encounter here at UNC Charlotte, but if nothing else, hopefully, this guide gets you excited for your next couple of years as a forty-niner. I’m sure getting to UNC Charlotte was not always easy, especially considering the last year of our lives got flipped upside down, but you are here now. Breathe. Soak in every minute you have here at UNC Charlotte and embrace your time as a forty-niner. Take advantage of resources, get involved, and have fun! You won’t regret it! Best, April Carte Editor-in-Chief
