Incoming freshmen of Northwestern State University have the opportunity to attend Freshmen Connection, an event that helps students get a taste of college life while meeting their fellow students. As soon as students walk through the doors on campus, they are greeted by staff and Freshman Connectors eagerly waiting to meet them and help them start their journey at NSU.
Freshman Connection prepares students for the first week of college and allows them to start making lifelong friendships. Abby Friday is a freshman nursing major who enjoyed the opportunities that Freshman Connection provided her. “Freshman Connection was great for me to make friends and get ready for a new chapter in life,” Friday said.
Thea Miller is a freshman business administration major who was pleasantly surprised by her experience at Freshman Connection. “When you hear ‘Freshman Orientation,’ you think of sitting and listening to advisors and department heads talk before scheduling for the semester, but Freshman Connection was completely different,” Miller said. “It was interactive, fun and exciting. I had so much fun and if I could do it again I absolutely would.”
Follies, a series of competitions between Freshman Connections groups, can be one of the most memorable parts of student orientation and the games allow students to bond and learn leadership skills. Each group gets to compete against each other in water games, tug-of-war and team chants for a chance to win a t-shirt and bragging rights, introducing students to the camaraderie they may grow to cherish at NSU.
Christopher Longoria is a freshman biology major who had a great time at Freshman Connection. “Freshman Connection has made me look at college in a positive, more fun way,” Longoria said.
Freshman Connection is more than an event where students build relationships and play games. Students learn through seminars, workshops and campus exploration in addition to learning what clubs and organizations are offered at NSU. Freshmen get to see firsthand what life at NSU is going to be like and take their first steps toward becoming Demons.
