Walking around campus you see many different people. All the sorority girls are walking around with others in their group. You can tell which sorority they belong to by the letters on their shirt and matching bag. Even the frat guys are sporting their fraternity name. I am pretty sure rush (the time when people can try to join a sorority or fraternity) is coming up very shortly. I have decided not to go Greek. My cousin ruches and she told me a little about what she had to do to get in, and, based on how movies represent rush week, I would rather not. Although, I do feel that for some rushing is the perfect thing to do, especially if it is in your blood.

Another group you see around school are those who wear scrub clothes; Soffee shorts, beachwear, loose shirts and a ponytail. And for the guys this look requires gym shorts and t-shirts accompanied by either sneakers or flip-flops for both sexes. Next, are the glamour girls and punk princesses; these girls wear their preferred choice of fashion. They wear the trendy clothes, do their makeup all nice, and have hair that looks like they really spent their time and money. Guys do this too. You’d see them with plaid or printed shorts with a nice shirt. Although, guys have it much easier when it comes to getting ready in the morning and dealing with the heat. Last, but not least, are those who are in-between it all and just go with the flow for that day. Whether it is a scrub day or dress up day, they don’t really care; it’s just a matter of what’s convenient. Sometimes, they even pair glamour with scrub creating the “scamour style”. For instance, wearing a cute, breezy summer dress with no makeup and easy, roll out of bed hair. This seems to be the most popular fashion statement I see.

The reason I am pointing all this out is to emphasize a wonderful change between high school and college. In high school, the differences in apparel would mean a difference in friends, who you would socialize with, possible even who you’d be really nice to. Here, however, I feel a change in atmosphere. Everybody talks to everybody. I have only seen politeness and communication among all the different people and I have to say that is very refreshing. =)

So, today is my first day of being a Sun Devil. Overall it was actually not that bad, However, after parking about half a mile from the flash bus stop I am going to tell all you seniors, once again, next year buy a parking spot the day they are available. After walking to the bus stop and around campus to get to class I can’t help but wonder why the freshman 15 even exists. People must seriously pig out! I only had to ask once where a building was but since I only had 2 classes today, my sense of direction was only 50/50. I only had ten minutes between my two classes so I took advantage of arriving early and walked the distance making a mental note of what everything looked like.

I sat outside my French class for around 30 minutes but no worries; I saw a numerous amount of students doing this. After I was released from my first class I had to endure the 106-degree weather once again. Now, my first class was in a regular high school like setup but my journalism class was not. It was like a movie setting. I was one in a crowd of 200. I feel that it should fun and interesting in a class like that.

Walking through the school I can tell you that everyone dresses to whatever their style is and some girls are actually brave enough to take on the campus in 4-inch heels. It’s much different than high school, we all have been a part of a click and talked about all the drama. . . college is you and only you. Now, I’m not saying you don’t have friends and still talk about what’s going on with everyone you associate with; but everything is much more on you. No mommy and daddy holding your hand and not a lot of classes with your best bud. It is the time for you to explore and get to know yourself as an individual not as one of the crowd.

Some observations of how the Freshman 15 came to be:
• Snacking between classes – instead bring healthy food such as an apple, banana, orange, granola, etc… avoid candy, doughnuts, chocolate, cookies, chips
• Yes, the same thing you’ve heard a hundred times before, eat a big healthy breakfast that will get you ready for the day and energize your body and mind. (Ha-ha)
• Dehydration – I know a Pepsi sounds refreshing and delightful but do yourself some good and drink the water. It will really help your body out and keep down the weight gain.

More tips coming soon!!

So far, I am having mixed feelings about the college experience. It seems that the only real negative aspect of it is the heat. Every morning when I get up and begin getting ready my mind immediately focuses on the heat. How I should do my hair? What I should wear? What shoes? All these thoughts are normal true, but when it’s 110 degrees outside you start focusing more on keeping cool rather than looking “cool”.

Because of my paranoia of being late (especially in French) I leave my house an hour and fifteen minutes before class. This ensures me that I will not be late and that I don’t have to rush in the heat, which could cause me to become overheated even faster. As of now, the homework load hasn’t felt excessive, but it is only the second week. Everyday I go home and check the Internet for any comments or assignments my teachers have left online. One huge difference from high school to college is being responsible for a lot of your own course work. If you don’t look on this thing called Blackboard you could really become lost in class. Reading class materials is the only real homework I have had. With the extra time in the week when I am not working at the hair salon, I make sure I have finished all my homework and then focus on the class I have the next day and review some. My personal goal for college is not only to graduate which I know I will, but also to do it with all A’s and B’s.

You might be wondering why I said I would really hate to be late in French, well that’s because I think French is a little difficult. Sadly, I have to reach the 202 levels of French for my degree. Although I took three years of French in the past I still don’t feel confident when be called on in class, so I would definitely not want to be responsible to say “sorry, I’m late.” Because I am always at least twenty minutes early it is a lot of fun to kill the time just watching people pass through the halls. It is true what they say about just getting up and putting some clothes on and saving the makeup for the weekend. Yes, not everyone does this, but once again I think guys have it easier than girls in dealing with fighting the heart while staying “hot”. Well, I am off to history. Come back to tomorrow so I can tell you more about life at Arizona State.

Kayla Boardman
Arizona State University Freshman

Kayla Boardman
Arizona State University Freshman

Why Hello, my name is Kayla and I recently graduated from Hamilton High in Chandler Arizona, a school known for its football; I'm sure you've heard of it. I am eighteen and soon to be a college student attending the also very known Arizona State University. What you are reading is my blog. Yes, in addition to being a full time student and assistant to a hair salon I will be writing this blog of my college life for AZTeen Magazine. Think of me as an older friend, big sister, or just some girl who's life you get a special peak into as I fight the odds on the freshman college myths, handle a 15 credit hour semester of homework, maintain a social life, meet my college goal of maintaining a 3.5 gpa and keep my job.

Here's the twist...I will not be living at home or in a dorm. I have already moved out with what for now we'll call a roommate. Curious how it's all going to unravel? Well if you continue to read my ongoing blog you can join me in being stressed, laughing and just enjoying being a college student as you get prepared for college yourself.

What I must scare you with, I mean share with you, is that I am going to be starting school on August 20, 2007 . As of this point, I have spent my day at freshman orientation, meeting new people and getting many of my stressing questions answered. Such as "what is the timeline of how many classes and what classes I am going to need to graduate in four years?" Well sure enough the counselors have a sheet all laid out with detail of what classes should be taken for all eight semesters. Orientation was a little boring, but by the end of the day I was filled with excitement and just an ounce of nervousness at how large the campus is and how large my classes may be. What's an ounce to worry about anyway? It barely counts.

The last two weeks however have been nightmarish, literally. I have been having frequent dreams that I either get lost or end up late in class as a result of being lost. Well, I figured a way to solve my scary dreams and get back to snoring z's. I managed to talk my boyfriend into taking a walk on campus with me so I knew what buildings my classes were at. That way, not only have I had a sneak peak but then I will also have a route for my anxiety of getting lost for the first week of school. Getting prepared by filling out a reservation book sheet at the ASU bookstore and buying a backpack, binder, paper and pens have left me feeling at ease.

Up next...getting my books and parking decal.