It’s hot outside and confused freshmen, dollies in hand, are ordering their parents around.
But alas, move-in weekend at Temple University gives way to the routine of class and the elevators of Anderson Hall become jammed with underclassmen trying to figure out just what AL and AC mean.
The first weeks of college life can be full of challenges, but these two freshmen have met them head on and everything has fallen into place.
Freshman and actuarial science major Dan Dotzert said that his transition to Temple was surprisingly easy.
Dotzer attributed this to the fact that he lives in Broomall County, just 40 minutes from Main Campus.
“Living close is definitely helpful.
If I need to get something from home, it’s easy to go get.
Plus, on move-in day they had things going really well.
It was a surprisingly quick process,” said Dotzert.
One adjustment that wasn’t as easy for Dotzert was the increase in reading assignments from high school to college.
However, Dotzert said spending 16 hours a week in class as opposed to 32 gives him more time to manage his reading.
Dotzer spends a lot of his free time hanging out on campus with friends he has met in Johnson Hall.
Despite the cramped dorm rooms, he sees the close living as a good opportunity to meet new people.
“There’s definitely something to be said for living in J&H freshman year, yet at the same time, I’d much prefer a non-communal bathroom.
But then again, I guess the bathroom hasn’t been so bad,” said Dotzert.
Jane O’Rourke, a communications and theater major, was placed in “1940” but said that she too is meeting many new people on her “community service” floor.
“Everyone that I’ve met is pretty nice. It seems like everyone is trying to reach out and be friendly to one another,” said O’Rourke.
One of O’Rourke’s initial concerns about coming to college was losing the privacy that she has at home.
The change wasn’t as bad as she thought it might be, and she is quickly learning to adapt to her environment.
O’Rourke is also learning to adjust to the lecture style classes she is enrolled in at Temple.
“It’s weird not being able to just raise my hand and ask my professors questions,” O’Rourke said.
Like Dotzert, O’Rourke said that she uses the time in between her classes to get her work done, leaving the evening hours for getting together with friends.
She has quickly taken advantage of Temple’s proximity to downtown Philadelphia, and enjoys spending time off campus.
“I went shopping on Walnut Street and to dinner on South Street the other week.
Living in the city gives you an opportunity to do more than hang out at frat parties,” O’Rourke said.
Overall, both Dotzert and O’Rourke are thoroughly enjoying their first few weeks at Temple.
When asked if they had any advice to offer other freshman, they both responded in the same manner.
“Don’t be afraid to meet new people,” said Dotzert.
O’Rourke echoed Dotzert’s sentiments saying, “You just have to go up and introduce yourself, because everyone is willing to meet new people.”
Alix Gerz can be reached at Temple_News@hotmail.com
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