By GAVIN MENDOZA, Student Reporter

Rachel Brown
Jacob McCool
Madeline Long

Being a freshman can be exciting and nerve-racking at the same time, freshmen students at Northwestern say. Here is what three members of the 2021 freshman class had to say about their first weeks of class and what they are looking forward to during their first year.


Rachel Brown is a freshman biology major from Pomona, California.


Q: How has your freshman year started off?
A: My freshman year has started out a bit rough. It has been a huge transition from southern California to Alva, Oklahoma. From a big city to a small town, there has been some culture change, but nothing that I can’t handle with some time to transition and support from friends and family.

Q: What part of college are you looking forward to the most and why?
A: I am definitely looking forward to meeting new people and getting to know my teammates and playing on the field with them. I am also looking forward to learning new concepts and growing as a person in general.

Q: Why did you choose Northwestern?
A: I chose Northwestern mainly to continue my soccer career and get an education. When I visited the campus, I fell in love with it and the friendliness from a welcoming environment.

Q: Were you nervous about anything coming to college? If so, what was it, and why?
A: I was nervous about the move from halfway across the country to somewhere I have never been before, and being on my own without any help from my family.

Q: What are your goals for this year, and how will you achieve them?
A: My goals for this year are to succeed in the classroom as well as on the soccer field. I will achieve them by putting in extra time and effort into school work and studying as well as practicing on the field and in the weight room.

Jacob McCool is a freshman business major from Enid.
Q: How has your freshman year started off?
A: My freshman year has started out better than I thought it would.

Q: What part of college are you looking forward to the most and why?
A: I’m most looking forward to getting to know more people and playing baseball.

Q: Why did you choose Northwestern?
A: I chose Northwestern because of academics and because of baseball.

Q: Were you nervous about anything coming to college? If so, what was it, and why?
A: No, I wasn’t nervous about coming to college. I was more excited than anything.

Q: What are your goals for this year, and how will you achieve them?
A: My biggest goal is to make good grades. To achieve that, I will make sure to study and turn in all of my work.

Madeline Long is a freshman early childhood education major from Laverne.
Q: How has your freshman year started off?
A: It has been great so far. I am making new friends. The faculty and other students have been very helpful.

Q: What part of college are you looking forward to the most and why?
A: I am looking forward being independent. I have wanted to be on my own and gain more responsibility.

Q: Why did you choose Northwestern?
A: I chose Northwestern because it’s one of the top places for education majors, and it is close to home.

Q: Were you nervous about anything coming to college? If so, what was it, and why?
A: I was a little nervous about my classes being more than I could handle because I haven’t taken a college class before.

Q: What are your goals for this year, and how will you achieve them?
A: I am hoping to make good grades and keep up with my assignments. I have everything scheduled out on a calendar, and I check my email and Blackboard often. I also take notes in every class.