I spent my freshman year just like every other newly-adapted college student. I went to all my classes, attempted to make new friends and tried to figure out life away from home.
Before coming to Bradley, I rarely experienced changes in my daily lifestyle. For 18 years, I grew up in the same house, lived in the same town, went to the same school and had the same group of friends since pre-school.
I knew I wanted to attend Bradley since I started high school. However, I also understood that being three and a half hours away from home was going to be a big step for me. So, all the excitement of moving to Peoria was equally met with uncertainty.
There was uneasiness about what classes I would take, if I’d be able to make new friends and how I would adapt an overall daily routine to fall into since I’ve always been a creature of habit.
I played sports throughout high school, which meant I had something to do every day after school. Here, I had to find something to fill the time I spent outside of classes to keep my sanity. Luckily for me, the activities fair was exactly what I needed.
I signed up for club baseball because I had played my whole life, and it would make it easy to find new friends with similar interests. I met people ranging from freshmen to seniors, Peoria-area natives, other out-of-state students and even found an old friend from back home.
Club baseball was perfect for me. It gave me something to look forward to other than classes. We practiced a few nights during the week and played other schools on the weekends. My teammates were all great. I didn’t know it at the time, but I had found my future roommates.
When freshman year ended, I was proud of myself. I was proud to have adjusted during a time when many others struggled, though I had my moments, too. I felt great about what the next three years held for me and was excited to return to campus for my sophomore year.
Being a sports communication major with hopes of becoming a sports broadcaster, I had to find ways to gain work experience and build my resume. I joined Braves Vision, a student internship program at Bradley that works with the athletic department and broadcasts every home athletic event.
Through this internship, I’ve met more amazing people and had great opportunities. I’ll never forget the first game I worked as a camera operator for a men’s basketball game and sat directly under the basket on the court. It was electric and affirmed my decision to join Braves Vision as a sports fanatic.
I was then recommended to join Clutch Sports Media, a local high school sports production company founded by two Bradley alumni. I expanded my opportunities and developed as a broadcaster. Additionally, I learned more about the surrounding areas and saw more of Central Illinois.
From Peoria Stadium to Alice Ingersoll Gymnasium in Canton, and even to the State Farm Center in Champaign where I was the radio play-by-play announcer for the IHSA Class 4A boys basketball state semi-final, I’ve loved every place I traveled to and every coach and player I spoke with.
My junior year looked similar to my sophomore year but with more responsibilities. I became the president of the club baseball team while still working for Braves Vision and Clutch Sports Media on top of a full class schedule. With more responsibilities came more opportunities, and that included my first-ever play-by-play announcing on ESPN+ for a Bradley softball game.
I found something new every year on campus, even now as a senior when I joined The Scout. I’ve grown my skills as a sports journalist and made myself well-rounded in terms of a career in the sports media industry.
I would not be the person, student, broadcaster or journalist that I am today without all of these experiences. I am forever grateful for the opportunities and skills learned. My only regret is that I didn’t join them all right away as a freshman.
I also would not have met all the incredible people I have without finding and connecting with them. My involvement in organizations gave me lifelong friends that I’ll cherish beyond my time at Bradley.
This has made me believe that to have a positive college experience, you must create it for yourself. Many students feel that college isn’t for them and drop out or continue and leave with a negative experience. Getting involved around campus is the best way to combat that feeling.
Meet new people — check. Gain more experiences — check. Develop a passion for something — check.
There are so many clubs and student organizations on campus that I guarantee there’s something for everyone; and if there isn’t, you can create it yourself.
This is my biggest piece of advice to any incoming freshman or a student struggling to find their place in college: get involved and stay involved. You never know where it will take you.
