Following the journey of four freshmen

Editor’s Note: This story is first in an occasional series this semester following the experiences of four freshmen throughout their first semester.

Incoming freshmen have a huge amount of potential worries at the start of their first college semester.

Will they be prepared for their classes? Will they get along with their roommates? How will living without the constant support of parents, siblings and old friends go?

Freshmen Kaylee Boos and Amanda Green of Shelby, Carla Raymond of Coldwater and Shelby Miller of Union City are largely optimistic on all counts.

“I’m not really nervous,” said Green, a May graduate of Shelby High School along with Boos. “Just meeting new people is what I’m looking forward to. And not failing any classes would be nice.”

Green and Boos are rooming with Raymond and Miller, who graduated together from Union City High School, in Wheeler Hall Room 102.

“Amanda and I were kind of good friends… and we really didn’t know what to expect picking roommates, so we decided to live together,” said Boos, who is planning to study political science.

The two pairs of girls found each other on the Internet and became acquainted over the summer.

“We met up over the CMU Web site and then Facebook, and Carla and I stayed with them for a few days in their hometown, so we’re pretty much already friends,” said Miller, a member of the marching band’s color guard and a prospective graphic design major.

Living together

Living in Wheeler provides the girls with the specific challenge of sharing one bedroom between the four of them. So far, though, they are all optimistic about the living arrangement.

“I thought we’d be way more cramped than what we are,” Boos said.

The girls did mention closet space is at a premium, and Raymond especially brought a large amount of clothing.

Miller and Green both moved in to the room early: Green to attend Leadership Safari and Miller to practice with the color guard.

Green said she enjoyed moving in to her room, because her parents did all the heavy lifting.

“(Moving in was) wonderful,” Green said. “I didn’t have to do anything.”

Boos and Raymond moved in Thursday. Boos was accompanied by her mother, stepmother and father, and Raymond was assisted by her mother.

“My mom’s kind of used to it,” said Raymond, who is planning a major in international business. “I was the last one to live at home, so I guess she was sad. She cried yesterday and today. I was sad, but I’m excited for a new chapter in my life, I guess.”

Far from home

Although Raymond has spent a large amount of time in Germany with extended family, most of the girls have yet to spend an extended amount of time away from home.

“I just got back from Hawaii,” Boos said. “I was there for two-and-a-half weeks, and that’s the longest I’ve ever been away from home. I’m looking forward to having my independence, but I’ll miss my sisters, and knowing everyone (back home).”

Miller said she is looking forward to the freedom and new experiences.

“I’ve spent time away from my family, but never a whole year,” she said. “It’s not really sad for me. It’s kind of exciting.”

The girls are optimistic about the beginning of year and classes, although not sure exactly what to expect.

“I’m kind of nervous about finding my classes on time,” Boos said. “I don’t know how that’s going to go, ten minutes to walk across campus.”

Check cm-life.com throughout the semester for updates on the girls of Wheeler 102.