By Allie O’Connor
Walking onto the Florida Southern campus in March of 2016, I fell in love. It was warm, sunny and just far enough from home that I did not feel smothered by my parents. I was home.
My journey to FSC started with a free application to a school in the sunshine state with a great communications program. Following my acceptance came the financial aid that truly pushed me to look more seriously into becoming a student here. Taking the next step, my parents and I went to a Northeast meeting in Endicott, Massachusetts where I met with my admission counselor and heard more about FSC from alumni.
Considering I had never been to campus, I decided that it would be best to attend scholars weekend. I was very excited to see what it would be like but was also very nervous to meet new people and to see if this was where I was going to spend the next four years of my life.
Coming to a school in the South was a complete 180 turn from New England. The food, the atmosphere, the weather, everything was different. I initially was not sure if I was going to be able to adjust to the change, but as soon as I stepped on campus, I knew I belonged here.
Thinking back on scholars weekend, I realize it was almost the reason why I did not end up at FSC. I could not have had a worse experience. My initial host bailed, leaving me with someone I had nothing in common with and who had another scholar besides me. And it poured the second day I was there, but through the time I have been here, I have realized that is just a part of living in Florida.
After leaving scholars weekend as a distant memory, I was unsure as to what my decision would be. But, thankfully, I had an amazing admissions counselor who gave my whole family a phone conference about pricing and the experience of FSC, making me realize this is where I belong.
After that conversation, I was so excited to come to FSC and become a Moc.
With that being said, coming from a far away state was anything less than easy, considering all the dorm room items that were “necessary” for my first year of school. All I can say is thank goodness for Bed, Bath, and Beyond and their ship-to-store option.
Also, I have had many people ask if I get homesick or wish I went to school closer to home. Yes, I miss my parents as much as everyone else, but I feel like moving this far made me become a more independent person and learn that I cannot always rely on others in certain situations.
But to that, I would have to say there is nowhere else one will find a school that is so tight knit like FSC. From my first year here, I have learned that when events happen at school, like a hurricane for example, everyone is there for each other. Whether it is just telling someone to stay safe or offering a house for out-of-staters to stay in, it really makes you feel not alone. So, if you feel like FSC was not the right choice for you, take a step back and remember why you chose it in the first place.
