QT 13 Reflects on First Year at HU

By: Nadia Commodore

As the weather gets warmer, summer approaches, and the spring semester comes to an end, Quintessence XIII, the freshman class on campus, is reflecting on the bittersweet feelings of wrapping up their first year of college. 

Zoe DeWalt, a first-year biology pre-med major hailing from Charlotte, North Carolina, recounted her first day as an HU student. 

“My first day,” she said, “I feel like it was kind of a lot, because I was meeting a bunch of people, but I already knew a couple of people coming in, so I just stuck with the girls that I knew from Charlotte.”

DeWalt’s first year pushed her outside of her comfort zone. Before college, she had never moved or been away from home long-term. “I’ve lived in the same area, experienced the same people and things for a long time, so it was just completely different,” she said.

Though DeWalt has enjoyed her Hampton experience so far, she felt that HU’s small school size offered its pros and cons. 

“It kind of feels like high school all over again, in terms of social life, as you see the same people. Word gets around quickly,” she said. 

Overall, DeWalt has found strength in her first year. She shared that being away from home gave her a newfound sense of independence that she hopes to foster in the coming years. DeWalt is looking forward to perfecting her college routines and strengthening her circle of friends. 

While DeWalt had a positive experience, that is not the case for everyone. Lauren Nichols, a first-year marketing student, has decided to transfer after her first year. Nichols, originally from Arizona, shared that the distance from home brought unexpected challenges. 

“My freshman year has definitely been a year of growth and really getting to know myself,” she said. “Leaving home is not easy, and I’m super far away, so I was definitely feeling homesick at times.”

Nichols shared that financial issues combined with insecure housing were what eventually pushed her to decide to transfer. 

Though Nichols has decided to leave, she looks back with gratitude for the experiences she had and the friends she made while attending Hampton. A highlight, she said, was being surrounded by like-minded individuals.

“I feel like Hampton is filled with a lot of people [who] are very driven and are very passionate about what they want to do,” she said. 

As for what Nichols wants, she shared that she is in the process of applying to schools closer to home. 

HU has provided a plethora of experiences for the freshman class and will continue to play a pivotal role in the development of young minds as they continue their journeys. Cheers to a great year, Baby QT!