One year down: I survived my first year at Webster… and loved it
By: Stephanie Kiszczak
Sophomore journalism major

I don’t believe it. It can’t be true… can it? I have come to accept the harsh reality that my first year at Webster is coming to an end. Where did it go? My first year of college can be summed up in one word—WOW. That really is all I can say. Writing papers, late night study sessions, eating pizza at midnight, going to free movies at the Winnie Moore, hanging out with the people on my floor, writing for The Journal, going to work, making friends for life sum up my first year of college. Less than a month left of school, I need to relish what little time I have left in the residence halls and CRAM for my classes.

Move out day is just around the corner. I am looking forward to the summer, but I know I am going to miss life at Webster U. My biggest fear is transferring the contents of my room in the residence halls into my bedroom at home. It will be a challenge to not only combine two separate lives into one, but making all of my stuff fit. After living a year in the residence halls, I feel ready to try another form of residence—an apartment. I have been apartment hunting with one of my best friends from the residence halls. Searching for the perfect (aka most affordable) apartment is not an easy task, but I am sure we will conquer it sometime in the near future.

I recently browsed the class book for fall ’04 and registered for classes. Picking classes is also scary for me. I’m so afraid of signing up for the wrong one or not being able to handle the class when it arrives. I know you can add/drop a class, but I know I won’t. If a class seems intimidating, I make it my personal goal to stick with it and come out of the class with a good understanding of the subject. These fears do not hinder me from feeling ecstatic about next year’s classes. After completing the prerequisites this year, I can be finally become an official member on the Journal staff next fall!

I have a hunch that next year is going to be even better than this year. I will have a feel for Webster’s campus, be more familiar with my surroundings, and know more people, therefore becoming more prepared for my next three years. My nerves will be laid to rest.

I remember myself at the beginning of the year… A vision appears of a five-foot strawberry blonde with freckles introduced to college. She looks around with wide eyes and butterflies fly frantically in her stomach. With a nervous smile and an optimistic attitude, she is ready to face Webster University and the world… Now, that girl is gone and I am in her place. One year at Webster University taught me more about life than I could have ever learned in high school. I am grateful for all of the opportunities and how much I learned. In just one year, Webster University did so much for me. I can’t wait to see what lies ahead for the remaining three.