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V.I.P. Spotlight
(Very Important Person)
The V.I.P. Spotlight focuses on an exceptional first year student. Below you will find a brief biography, as well as her responses to frequently asked questions about her first year at Kent State University.
Name: Kristine Gill
Major: Journalism
Minor: Spanish and Psychology
Hometown: Mentor, Ohio
Interests: Running, reading, writing, laughing, eating, watching TV, getting to know people, napping and spending time with friends.
Favorite place to study: In my room at my desk, or in the main lounge of the library.
Favorite class: Freshman Honors Colloquium. We read and discuss novels.
Favorite food: Meatloaf
Favorite TV show: The Office
Activities: I write a humor column for the Daily Kent Stater. I’m the Consumer Reporter for the 6:30 Friday broadcast on TV2. I was a member of Freshman Advisory Council and the National Broadcasting Society and I was recently selected to become a Student Instructor for the First Year Colloquium.
What kind of questions did you have prior to getting to Kent…how did you go about finding the answers?
Before coming to Kent I was really worried about the living arrangements. I found out everything I needed to know just by looking at the Web site which has layouts of all the rooms available. I also used the Web site to find out about how to use the meal plan and where buildings on campus were located. When I had trouble finding things on the Web I just made a phone call. I had to call a few times to learn how to access my FlashLine e-mail account and to change the password. Each time I needed help it was easy to find someone friendly and patient to ask.
What do you like best about attending college? About Kent? What makes Kent State University great!
My favorite thing about attending college is being able to do things on my own, but at the same time never feeling alone. You get to make your own decisions about everything. I chose my major and minors and what classes to take each semester, but I also get to decide when and what I eat for lunch and when to actually do my laundry. Some days I’m running around campus going to class or attending some meeting, and I have to eat on the run without getting a chance to relax. It’s nice to know that no matter how busy or stressful the day was, you always have your roommate and floor-mates to come home to.
Kent is great because it keeps you busy. Between homework, clubs, working out at the Rec center, writing for the paper, doing 6:30 news for TV2 and hanging out with friends I’m rarely bored. You can get super involved or create a schedule that allows for more free time and recreation. It’s an exciting place to be building the skills for a future career.
What was the biggest change from going from high school to college?
Feeding myself. I lost weight the first few weeks and didn’t even notice. It was weird having to make time to buy food and eat when I was used to Mommy slaving in the kitchen and ringing the dinner bell when it was ready. Once I finally figured out how to manage my time and plan my meals I had to worry about gaining weight. The freshman fifteen is very real. I still have to make a conscious effort to eat healthy when my closet is packed with snacks and places like Quiznos are free with my meal plan. Learn how to deal with stress so you aren’t reaching for the chips every time you sit down to do homework.
What do you wish you knew prior to coming to Kent?
Get ready to walk and bring tennis shoes. They’re the easiest to wear when you’re late and sprinting to your first class. I got some serious blisters the first few weeks because I was shuffling around in flip flops. I wish I had known how to pack for college. I brought my entire wardrobe with me and ended up wearing t-shirts and hoodies to class every day. You don’t need to bring as much as you might think and you shouldn’t stress about leaving something behind. I turn on the CD player in my room maybe twice a month, but I use my iPod everyday. Just be smart about what you bring.
What is a common misconception about college?
People don’t judge you in college and things are a lot different than they were in high school. Everyone is more mature, open and accepting of others. You’ll feel completely at home here even when you’re bundled up and looking completely ridiculous during a blizzard on your way to class. And people are more willing than you might think to make friends or help you out with something.
Also, not everyone parties. I was worried going into college that I’d miss out on the nightlife because I don’t drink and didn’t plan on starting. What I found out is that there are a lot of other things to do at night or on the weekends that are just as fun, like bowling at Eastway, or grabbing a midnight snack at Rosie’s. Don’t be afraid to stick with your morals and explore healthy alternatives.
What recommendations do you have for new students to maximize their potential at Kent? in class?
Get ahead. There is nothing worse than sitting alone in your dorm on a Thursday night writing a paper knowing you could be out with your friends. Tackle assignments as soon as you have time for them, even if it means waiting to watch the rerun of Grey’s Anatomy. Just don’t wait until the last minute, it’s more stressful and you miss out on things.
Get involved on campus. It’s easier to meet people and make friends when you join a club than it is to form a meaningful bond with the person you sit next to in General Psychology. Meet new people and get to know the ones in your dorm. Join a club sport, write for the newspaper, be on the radio, or do community service. It makes your time here more memorable and worthwhile.
