As semester begins, students see semester in different ways

The familiar landscape of the Blue Ridge Mountains on a slightly breezy day was a refreshing start to a new semester for JMU students. But, however easy and free Monday felt, students of all ages still had the future on their minds.

For freshmen, being at JMU for a second semester now feels more permanent. "It’s nice to see familiar faces in my classes," freshman Caitlin Harrison said. "It’s starting to feel like I am really a part of the atmosphere now."

Whether it was running into a suitemate on the way to class or seeing someone from an old GCOM group, freshmen are finding JMU to be a friendlier, more familiar place than it was in August.

Freshmen realize that it really does not take 30 minutes to get across campus, and know that having back-to-back classes can be convenient. They now are finding their classes with ease and learning how to manage their time wisely.

"Balancing time between eating, sleeping and doing work will be a lot easier this semester," freshman Jennifer Whittaker said.

Sophomores, with an additional year under their belts, seem to be in a relaxed state of mind this second semester.

Sophomore Meghan Kerns is looking forward to a busy summer. "I may take summer courses since I will be switching my major from [Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies] to [the School of Media Arts and Design]," Kerns said. "I am going to look into internships, but I also want to have another job this summer to make some money. I’m not really stressed. I just basically want to succeed in my classes."

Many sophomores share Kern’s feeling of comfort at JMU. By now, sophomores have study habits and sleep patterns down and are really settled into college life.

Juniors and seniors seem to both be looking ahead in regard to their preparations for this semester and the coming summer.

"It’s time to seriously start thinking about what I want to do when I graduate," junior Karyn Klein said. "I have had two previous summer internships, and I am planning on speaking with my professor to find out what I should be looking for in the future."

Seniors are just a short semester away from their diplomas and the so-called "real world." Some seniors have a job lined up, while others are preparing for the job hunt. Both juniors and seniors are not exactly relaxing now, but planning for the rest of their lives.

"I hope that whatever I do this summer will give me a head start with a ‘real world’ job," Klein said.