First-year student shares experience and growth at KSU

KENNESAW, Ga. | Jan 6, 2021

The first semester of college is a time of transition and growth as students spread their wings and begin to navigate their academic careers, discover new interests and make lasting memories. In recognition of that significant step, we are highlighting students who have just completed their first semesters at Kennesaw State. Morgan Patterson, who is from Monticello, Ga. and plans to pursue a degree in technical communications, shares what made her first semester as an Owl so meaningful.

What is your favorite moment/memory from your first semester?

I started this fall as a mechanical engineering major, and one of the projects we had to do for our intro class was to build a pumpkin launcher with a team from our class. Though our team spent many long nights and early mornings working on our launcher, we had so much fun building it and became pretty close. The fact that we had fun but were also learning at the same time made it very memorable for me.

How did your first semester of college compare to your expectations?

For most incoming freshmen, I think we all have generalized expectations of what college is supposed to be like, but due to having to start college during a pandemic, most of those expectations vanished and were replaced with uncertainty. For me, the expectations I once had about college were the complete opposite to what I’ve experienced, but in that experience, I’ve also realized that sometimes what you plan in the beginning might not always be the best for you in the end.

As you adjusted to college this semester, who or what has been your greatest support at KSU?

It took me a while to get adjusted to college both physically and mentally and in that adjustment, I found my biggest supporter to be KSU itself. I took advantage of the counseling and psychological services that KSU offers and found a person who I can put my trust in and supports me whenever I need it. Another one of my greatest supports at KSU is my professors, when I was struggling or concerned, they put their time and effort into helping me or reassuring me that everything will be okay because, in the end, their goal is to see you succeed.

Outside of class, what did you do to get involved at KSU in your first semester?

I got involved with two things this semester which were the Kennesaw Nuclear Society and KSU brand ambassadorship. The KNS is an organization that promotes the education and awareness of nuclear technology and its applications and KSU brand ambassadors primarily use social media, sharing day-to-day activities with prospective students and fellow classmates to give them a feel for what it’s like to be a student at KSU.

Did your college plan change at all during your first semester?

I came to KSU as a mechanical engineering major because that is what I wanted to be since I was a freshman in high school. However, once I started taking classes, I began to question if that is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I began to do some research on other majors KSU had to offer. I came across a major called technical communications, which allowed me to still deal with engineering concepts but involved subjects such as writing and language, which I like and are my strong suit. My college plan changed drastically from what it was originally, but I am happy that I made the change because I feel that my new major is my passion.

What was the best/most beneficial aspect of your first semester?

The best aspect of my first semester was being able to make some spectacular friends. As someone who does not always make friends easily, that once difficult task seemed so effortless when I came to KSU. Creating friendships with people in my classes, those who live on the same floor as me, or just on campus, in general, helped me transition into college during such a weird and unsure time.