What I Wish I Knew …

By Marian Pope and Linnea Doughman

Carine Ludzack: Freshman Perspectives

Freshmen year flies by, and before you know it, you are about to become a sophomore.

Carine Ludzack, a freshman Professional Writing and Information Design student, reflected on her first year as a Cedarville student and what she would tell incoming freshmen.

“Looking back, I think the biggest thing I wish I knew going into it was to be present,” Ludzack said. “Focus on what you have to do that day, enjoying that time and not worrying about what was in the past or worrying about what is in the future.”

For Ludzack, that meant being intentional with the people, homework and classes she had that day. She tries to focus on the present and not occupy herself with thinking about the future. As a commuter, Ludzack encourages other freshman commuters to be present in both places.

“Don’t give up your family and your home for college, but don’t give up college for your family and home,” Ludzack said. “You want to try to balance them, and it is going to be hard to try to balance them, but it is important. That was the big thing I didn’t realize coming in, was how hard it would be and also how important that would be.”

Ludzack also stresses the importance of having a strong friend group. 

“Everyone says find a good group of friends, but you don’t want to just hang out with the friends that you found the first week just because you found them,” Ludzack said. “You want the ones that build you up inside, encourage you and who you can truly be yourself with, even if that takes some searching because it will be worth it.”

Eli Nicol: Sophomore Musings

“A lot of people have gone through some really hard things, so being always positive and sensitive to the hard things that they might have gone through can go a really long way,” Eli Nicol said. 

As a Civil Engineering major, Nicol’s sophomore year has been particularly challenging. Looking back, he wishes he had been better prepared for the class load. With how long the coursework takes to complete, he is finding other ways to spend time with his friends — by working on homework together. 

“A piece of really good advice I got early on sophomore year was: ‘Do your homework with friends.’”

Nicol warns incoming sophomores that friendships will change as they enter the new school year. Some friendships only last a semester, but students should not be discouraged. 

“Be present with the friends you currently have or with the activities you are a part of,” Nicol said. “Something I struggle with is wanting to move on to the next stage, but trying to enjoy the stage of life that God has put you in is a really great place to be. It is something I need to do better on.”

Nicol encourages sophomores to take a break from homework and to participate in activities. 

“Socially, making time to do fun things is really good — being a part of intramurals or engaging with your hall or hall events are really good things to do,” Nicol said. “That was something I found fun to do this year, and I would encourage other students to do it as well.”

William Augustine: Learning Routine Amidst Expectations

At the beginning of each new school year, college students have the task of creating a routine. Whether coming in as a freshman or a senior, everyone has to figure out their class location, their professors’ expectations, their sleep schedule and their essential routines.

Biblical Studies major William Augustine went into his junior year expecting that his life was going to play out in certain ways. As a second year Resident Assistant (RA), he expected he would immediately know how to balance personal and academic life, however, that was not the case. 

“Every semester I have to relearn how to balance classes, RA and friends,” Augustine said. “I wish that I could come in settled so that I could succeed better in classes and the work that I have to do.” 

Augustine felt the pressure from others to perform well both academically and personally amidst the struggles of beginning a new school year. 

“I learned that there is going to be pressure from other people around you that will try to tell you how you can do better at your job or how you can do better at your school,” Augustine said.

Nevertheless, Augustine learned that keeping his eyes centered on the Lord is the ultimate solution to looming pressures as a student and leader. 

“When you keep your eyes focused on the Lord all those things will fall into place,” Augustine said. “Yes, you should listen to those people that are trying to push you in a certain direction, but if you are too focused on [what others are telling you], it becomes too overwhelming, and you do not do as well as you could if you just focused on the Lord.”

Katherine Lebs: Conquering Senioritis by the Grace of God

“I was looking back over my previous three years as a student and I began to question myself thinking that I had done nothing significant,” Lebs said. “I was looking at people around me who had achieved internships with state governors or already had jobs lined up post graduation. I felt like what I had done was not something I could succeed with post-graduation.” 

As Lebs wrestled with discouragement, her friends, co-workers and professors came alongside her to encourage her through kind words and continual check-ins. Though Lebs was discouraged at the beginning of the year, she learned to rely on God’s goodness as she reflected upon her own accomplishments.

“By the grace of God I have been able to work through the mindset that what I have accomplished is not good enough or worth success,” Lebs said.

 As she approaches graduation, Lebs knows she can confidently market herself to employers, face her fears and encourage others who are anxious about what’s next after college.

“While it does not look like much, the things that I have been doing day after day … have actually been equipping me to do the kind of work I want to do,” Lebs said. “There are so many blessings that have been given to me, and there are so many ways I have been able to rise to challenges. I still have something worthwhile to offer.”