Reflecting on my 4 Years at Ferrum

by Rachel W., Panther Blogger

Is this really the beginning of my final semester of college?  There is no way 4 years went by so fast!  I don't want to believe it.  I have started a 400-hour internship at a local hospice agency near my hometown!  I'm a commuter student now and am spending a little less time on Ferrum's beautiful campus, which is extremely bittersweet.

As I reflect on the past few years here at Ferrum and ponder about my future, I realize there are a few things I wish I could go back and tell my freshman self:

1. Get some sleep, but not too much sleep!  It's important to balance fun and school work. There are times where I should have just shut my door and went to sleep, and there are times when I probably should have let myself have a little more fun!
2. Do better in your freshman classes!  You don't think they matter that much until you're down to the wire calculating what your final GPA will be and whether or not you will graduate with honors or get into your program's honors society.  Luckily last year, I was inducted into Phi Alpha, a national honors society for social work majors, but a part of me wishes I would have tried a little harder in my freshman math class.
   
3. Remember your parents have feelings too.  I was my parents' only child for 18 years.  When I graduated high school and moved to college, they missed me so much that they decided to adopt two more!  Okay, maybe it was planned exactly like that, but nonetheless, it's important to call home and let your parents know you're okay.  They took care of you for a long time and it's nice to remind them they did a good job!  (Thank you, Mom and Dad!)

All in all, Ferrum as been one of the best experiences of my life!  I wouldn't trade my college experience for anything else in this world, and part of me will always call Ferrum College home.  I'm excited and nervous about the future, but I know that Ferrum has prepared me for my future.  Thank you, Jennie, Martha, Peg, Susie, Dr. Reilly, and the many more who have shaped my college career!

From Freshman to Senior Year

by Stephanie D., Panther Blogger

Going into my freshman year at Ferrum College, I never thought I would succeed as much as I did.  Freshman year is all about adjustment to life on your own, new people, and new living conditions.  Luckily, this was all made very easy by the faculty and staff.  I've been a cheerleader since my freshman year, and playing a sport really got me on track.  Not only did it get me on campus a week early, which helped me learn the college better, but it also provided structure in my day-to-day routine.  I was able to attend team study halls, which helped with my grades, and I made friends with upperclassmen.

Now, it's my senior year and I have been accepted into Radford University's Criminal Justice Graduate Program!  I could not have done this without the preparation that Ferrum has given me. The outstanding resources, the academic atmosphere, and the faculty who helped me get to where I wanted to be really showed me that dreams could come true.  I am so thankful for the experience that Ferrum gave me as an undergraduate that I would recommend Ferrum to any and every senior in high school I meet.

From freshman year to senior year, there were bumps along the way, but at Ferrum, the motto is "Not Self, But Others" and this was implemented by my peers and professors to help me succeed and get the most I could out of my education.  I couldn't be more excited to graduate and further my education at Radford, but I will truly be heartbroken when I miss Ferrum because this is where I found who I'm supposed to be.  I can't wait to call myself a Ferrum alumna!

F-E-R-R-U-M

by Laken P., Panther Blogger

As I am caught in the bittersweet moment of my third and final year at Ferrum, I have truly realized how my short time here has greatly impacted my life as a whole. Facing the uncertainty of the future, along with the memories of the past has led me to think about what has made the past few years ones that I will never forget. A reflection of the life experiences I will take away with me at graduation can easily be broken into FERRUM -- a word that is more than just a school name but is also a major part of my life.

Family. There is a quote that reads, "Here's to the nights that turned into mornings, with the friends that turned into family."  Here at Ferrum College, the "Ferrum Family" isn't just a concept we tell potential students to sell them on our great school; it's an actual pure and raw state that can be felt from the first few weeks on campus and well into alumni status. The common bond of Panther Pride connects each of us, making Ferrum the tight-knit community that it is. Since I have been here, I have met so many wonderful people that make me wonder how I ever made it through the first part of my life without them. Whether it's my roommates, Greek family, club members, or study groups, the people I have met on this campus have truly become some of my closest friends. Every year, another graduation pulls some of us apart, but it is nice to know that we will always be a part of the Ferrum family and have each other to lean on for the rest of our lives.

E-term. One of the best experiences I have had not only at Ferrum, but in my whole life, was the opportunity to travel abroad with a Ferrum E-term (Experiential Term) class. I took an Environmental Science class where we traveled to Ireland to study the culture, heritage, landmarks, and natural history.  We flew into Dublin and spent time traveling around the entire country learning about the rich history of Ireland.  I learned more than I ever have in any other class because I was able to learn the material by visiting landmarks, meeting people from other countries, and experiencing life outside of America. Without this opportunity that Ferrum provided to take an E-term course, I probably would have never had a chance to visit and explore Ireland and Northern Ireland in the way that I did this past summer.  The class and trip are definitely something that I will talk about and treasure for the rest of my life as I hold close the memories of kissing the Blarney Stone, seeing Fungie the Dolphin, walking to the edge of the Cliffs of Moher, climbing the Giants Causeway, and feeding baby sheep - just to name a few!

Recruitment. I thoroughly enjoy being an Admissions Ambassador and Panther Blogger as they are both ways for me to personally connect with potential students long before they ever decide to make Ferrum their home. Sharing my stories and experiences allow me to open up and give potential students a glimpse of Ferrum that propels well beyond an official visit or a website of information.  One of the most important factors in choosing a school is finding a place you can call home, and I am honored that I am able to help future students make that decision. As an Admissions Ambassador, I have given countless campus tours, listened to personal stories and backgrounds, and answered any and all questions that arise. Watching a parent's eyes light up when they realize that their child has found a new home for the next few years is an experience that I wouldn't trade for anything. From athletic recruits, special guests, future students, and other special campus events, I gladly step up to tell everyone what makes this place so special. I sometimes have too much to say simply because I love this school and everything about it so much!

Responsibility. Everyone says a college is the time to truly discover yourself, learn what you are meant to do in life, and work hard to achieve your goals. When you pick a major, throw in extracurricular activities, meal times, hours of homework, athletic practices and time to sleep, sometimes it seems like you won't even make it through the day, much less the whole semester or year.  In my time here, I have learned that college is the place where the days drag on for what seems like forever, but the weeks and months fly by. It seems like only a few days ago that I was at home too excited to sleep because I knew I would be moving into my first dorm room the next day. Looking back on the short two years that I have been here, I cannot believe I am facing my senior year of college.  I opened my mailbox the other day to find an application for graduation; that's when it hit me that my undergraduate career is almost over. In the time since my first semester here, I have definitely noticed a change in the way I study, finish my homework, and schedule out my days ahead of time. I have used the skills and resources provided to me to work and ensure that I get a little better each semester. Responsibility is a skill that must be developed in each individual person, but Ferrum does an excellent job of helping guide students to their goals through Freshman Gateway courses, senior capstones, advisor meetings, and professional prep classes.

Unicorns. Of all my campus activities and organizations, my favorite is my sorority, Delta Phi Epsilon, whose international mascot is the unicorn. Being a sister of Ferrum's first national Greek organization has brought me some of my closest friends, helped me become a part of something so much bigger than myself, and allowed me constant opportunities to give back to the community. Within the sorority, I have found roommates, best friends, future bridesmaids, study partners, role models, and mentors all while being involved in something that has made me a better and well-rounded person. Delta Phi Epsilon chartered on Ferrum's campus in 2011 and has continued to grow each and every semester. Being a member of an international organization allows for the opportunity to network with alumni, find sisters all across the world, and work hard to raise funds for our philanthropies. We raise money and awareness for our official philanthropies, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) and Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD), as well as to contribute to the campus and local community. I can't believe that I only have a semester and a half left on campus with my sisters and fellow unicorns, but I know that no matter where I am in the world, they will always be there loving and supporting me.

Mentor. I am involved in many clubs and organizations on campus, and I hold a leadership role in several of them. I am the Vice President of Academic Affairs for Delta Phi Epsilon, Secretary of the Minds-n-Medicine club, and a member of the Honors Advisory Council for the Boone Honors Program.  I also serve as a mentor for the Gateway seminar that freshmen take each fall. Through the opportunities that Ferrum has given me to step up and be a leader, I feel more confident going into the rest of my life with experience and knowledge. There are so many clubs and organizations on campus that allow students to be a member and/or student leader - there really is something for everyone. Becoming involved is one of the best ways to expand horizons, build resumes, and meet new people, and I'm so glad I have been able to take advantage of it all in my short time here!

Things Change: It's Normal!

by Dannica B., Panther Blogger

Now we all know college is all about education and earning a degree, but we also know social life is a big part of surviving four years of college!  As a first semester freshman, the highlight of my week was watching Love Actually in my dorm room.  Yes, pathetic, right?  I had no social life.  I had friends, but I never really did anything except play Uno with my hall mates.  Every event that took place sounded "lame" and I just wanted the comfort of my bed and the taste of ramen noodles in my mouth.  That was my Friday night.  Yes, I did adventure out of my room sometimes, but nothing extraordinary ever occurred.  I didn't want to do anything and I'm not sure why.  I guess I missed home too much?  Maybe that seemed to be a valid excuse, but in reality, I was scared.  The innocence of my freshman mind couldn't bear the thought of growing up and becoming a responsible adult.

But then it hit me. It was time to grow up, it was time to do that pile of laundry sitting under my bed, and it was time to go to the cafe instead of eating ramen noodles for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  It's not easy growing up, but at some point in life, we all have to "cut the umbilical cord" and become an independent person and take responsibility.  The future is going to be different than you imagine, and the friends we have now may no longer be our friends later.  The things we think we like now may turn out to be the things we begin to dislike later and you have to actually leave your dorm room to find who you really are.

My second semester was much better. I got a job, joined a sorority, became a student ambassador and a Panther Blogger, and I got so much more involved with Ferrum College that I felt more at home.  Being more involved with the college you attend makes everything so much easier.  I'm a different person than who I was when I first came to Ferrum. I'm more confident in myself and I put myself out there and became a part of the Ferrum community.  After all, it was the Ferrum community who brought me out of my shell and I couldn't be more thankful!  So remember, things change:  it's normal!

It's Okay to Be Confused: It's Normal!

by Dannica B., Panther Blogger

As an upcoming freshman, or even as a rising sophomore, junior or senior, things can get pretty stressful.  What classes will I take this semester?  Am I even pursuing the right major for me?  What do I even want to be when I'm older?  Is college even the right thing for me?  Everyone has asked themselves these questions before and many people change their minds numerous times until they are comfortable that they are making the right decision.

As a confused high school graduate, I knew that I was going to graduate from some big university with a business administration degree and a psychology minor, move to Florida, become a wedding planner, and then one day own my own company.  Now as a rising sophomore, I attend my second home, Ferrum College - a beautiful yet quaint and extremely small college with a population of just over 2,000.  I started as a Business major, switched to an Art major, but now I'm a Recreation Leadership major.  So, yes, I guess you could say I have changed my mind a few times and I can promise you it won't be my last time!

You see, times change.  You grow up believing you're going to be one thing then often turn out to be the complete opposite.  It's life and people change their minds even after college. The best advice I can give is do whatever makes you happy, unless it's illegal or morally wrong then I would recommend you think twice!  But if being an art major makes you happy, then do it even if you think you can't make a career out of it because I promise you, if you believe you can, then anything is possible.  If you want to be a star athlete, then go for it. Just remember to keep your GPA intact because after all, education is extremely important.  If being an actress/actor on Broadway is your ultimate dream, then become a theater major despite what anyone thinks.

At the end of the day, you're going to college for four years and if you're taking classes that you hate and pursuing a major that you know deep down inside isn't right for you, then what's the point?  And if you can't make up your mind, don't panic. It's okay to have doubts, and it's okay to change your mind. There are people to help.  Go to your adviser, your parents, your friends, your mentors, or even your pet goldfish named Fred and talk to them (even if your fish doesn't talk back).  Ferrum has a great support system if you get out to seek help!  I got a lot of help from my professors, peers, and especially from my adviser, Mrs. Smith.  There are people here to advise you down the right path, but just remember that at the end of the day, it's you who has to make your own decisions.  I know it seems like it'd be easier if someone made them for you, but unfortunately, that's not how life works.  It's okay to be confused - it's normal!

The Big Finale!

By Blake S., Panther Blogger

Well everyone, this is it! This will be my last blog post as a Ferrum College Panther Blogger. Graduation will be coming up in only two days, and I am just as excited as I could possibly be to walk across the stage and have my diploma handed to me. My time as a student here at Ferrum College is finally coming to an end, and I've got to say that it has been one of the most exciting, yet challenging times in my life. As I've said many times before, being a successful college student is not an easy task. However, with the right kind of people in your life, this task can be much easier to accomplish. For that exact reason, I would like to dedicate this final blog post to everyone who has helped me to become successful in my college career here at Ferrum College.

To begin, I would like to thank everyone who has given me an opportunity to excel and gain a little work experience that will help make me a more competitive applicant for job opportunities as well as graduate school programs. I would like to thank Dr. Michaela Gazdik, who allowed me to perform independent microbiological research projects in her laboratory, as well as gain experience in presenting at professional conferences. Also, I would like to thank both Dr. Laura Grochowski and Dr. Katie Goff for allowing me to be their Organic Chemistry tutor and Anatomy & Physiology practicum student this past year. These positions provided me with the opportunity to help students and gain insight into the profession of being a teacher and a leader. I would also like to give another shoutout to Alyson Brackin, the Residence Hall Educator of Basset Hall, and my boss. I have learned a lot from having the position of being a resident assistant, and the work experience and connections that I have made as a result of this position are priceless. And finally, I can't forget Letisha Houston, who has provided me with this great opportunity to be a Panther Blogger and gain valuable skills in the field of communication and writing. I would also like to thank all of my professors here at Ferrum College for the help and knowledge that they have provided me with over the past two years.

Although the professors and staff here at Ferrum College are the foundation for becoming a successful college student, I would not have been able to make it through college without the help of my friends and family. You have all been there for me anytime that I became stressed out or just needed somebody to talk to. I attribute many of my accomplishments to you, and I know that if it was not for your help and motivation, I would not be where I am today.

I would like to conclude my last blog post with a "Thank You" to everyone in the Ferrum College community for making me a part of the Ferrum College family. I can surely testify that Ferrum College is an excellent institution to gain a great education, make great friends, and achieve great success. It has been a great pleasure being a Panther Blogger, and I hope that I was able to motivate and provide some great insight into the life of a college student to others. I will see you all around!

Being Back at Ferrum

by Delana S., Panther Blogger


Since returning from D.C., I have had to readjust myself to Ferrum and being back in a slower-paced environment.  It is refreshing, but at the same time increasingly hard because I have been on the go for so long that my body really just got used to it.  I am so glad to be back home.  I missed all of my friends and my professors here.

Still, this semester is very busy for me because I have to make some decisions regarding next year and what I want to do when I graduate.  So far, I have come to the conclusion that I want to go to graduate school and be a Foreign Service officer.  I had the opportunity to meet a few people who could tell me what I needed to do to start the application process and what it includes, but I'm not sure where I'm going to end up.  Things have been looking pretty bright for me and my future, but it is hard when you want to do everything!

One thing that I truly love about this semester is that I really get to work on public relations for the Student Government Association.  I was elected with the cabinet, but they really didn't need me in the fall, so I get to do a lot now and I love it!  Ferrum College's Student Government Association now has a Twitter account and will soon have an Instagram and a Tumblr account.  These are my "pet projects" because with technology becoming more prominent in careers, it is good to start building a network and reaching out to others on social media.  I also get to work on other creative projects and have fun with them.

Besides that, I am also getting involved with the Ferrum Leadership Fellows again. Despite being absent from Ferrum's campus last semester, being in D.C. helped me to work on my leadership skills and also further develop my communication skills that will help me be a good and effective leader.  The best part of having a good relationship with the company is that they allowed me to come back and help with a big event, and I was able to see many of the people who I had previously met.  It was an amazing experience and I am glad that I had the opportunity to work with them all once again. I love being a leader and taking on leadership roles because it is always a fulfilling adventure.

One thing that I thought that I wouldn't be able to do within my four years at Ferrum is study abroad, but I went to D.C. last semester and now I am going to be heading off to Alicante, Spain for the upcoming fall semester!  It seems that I am doing a lot, but with my second major being Spanish, it is a good opportunity for me to be immersed in the culture and become fluent.  I am very excited because I have never been to this part of Spain - on the coast.  I have traveled to Spain multiple times, but this will be new. I will be living with a host family, attending the university, and learning about the people and the culture.  Many people can't believe I am leaving again, but I have to take advantage of every opportunity I can before I graduate.  I am excited for this new adventure!

Surviving Exam Week

by Sarah H., Panther Blogger

There is nothing worse than looking at the Exam Week schedule and realizing that most of your exams are 8 a.m.'s on back-to-back days.  How am I going to beat the exam week blues?  By setting a schedule for myself and focusing on one thing at a time. I have always been one to over-think tests, causing me to stress and forget the things I knew so well the night before.  Over the years, I've slowly learned how to cope with the stress and learn the routines that help me best.

First of all, don't over stress.  Yes, exams are extremely important and are sometimes just what you need to get that grade up, but over-stressing just makes things worse.  This is when the phrase "just breathe" comes in handy!  Breathe calmly through the exam, and just focus on one question at a time.  Don't overwhelm yourself with the whole test at once (another thing I am very guilty of).

Second, make sure you are eating healthy foods and getting enough sleep. Without proper care, your brain is going to focus on how much sleep your body needs or how many meals you have skipped while trying to study.  While especially focusing on enough rest and nutrition during the week of exams, it's also important to make sure you get into good habits way beforehand.

Third, study in the way that's best for you.  Every student's study habits are different...just find the one that's right for YOU.  One way of doing this is going to your professor and seeing what he/she recommends.  Another way to learn what works for you is to find a tutor.  Ferrum offers great programs for tutoring, including PALs.  A PAL is someone who will sit in the library with you and help you study as well as answer any questions you have. There are certain PALs assigned to certain classes, so all you have to do is ask your professor.  Once you have found the study habits that help you the most, find a study group and spend a few hours studying with them.

Finally, never hesitate to ask for help. Whether it's the professor or someone in the class who understands what the professor is going over, there is always someone who can help you.

Snow Days Welcomed!

by Sam B., Panther Blogger

The amount of snow that Ferrum received was certainly a shock.  News reports during the weeks before the actual storm continued to change the dates that it was supposed to hit, so no one actually knew when it would come.  I guess that's why no one was prepared for it.  Fortunately for me, I have seen that much snow before.  A lot of my friends, however, had not.  Over the two days that we were out of school, my friends and I had a multitude of snowball fights, we wrestled in the snow, and we went around destroying snowmen.  People we didn't even know started some of the snowball fights!  That made the fights even better!

This unscheduled break from classes could not have come at a better time. Midterms are rapidly approaching and it was great to have a chance to blow off some steam and relieve some stress. Even though we had to work harder in the beginning of this week to catch up, it was totally worth it. On Friday evening, I helped a couple of my friends get their cars out of the snow since they had never driven in it.  Being from Floyd County, I've had to brave the weather for the three years that I've been driving. On Friday evening, I was even able to leave Ferrum and make it back to Floyd!

A Visit from My Best Friend!

by Jessa K., Panther Blogger

This past weekend, I was fortunate enough to have my mom come and stay with me for the weekend.  A few classmates asked me on Friday what I would be doing and I could not help but giggle at their faces when I told them.  I am pretty sure they thought I was crazy to actually want to spend the entire weekend with my mom.  My case, however, is a little bit different.  My mom is my best friend.  In fact, the hardest part of being at school is not having her around.  Being able to spend this time together was something that was really special for both of us.


While most students look forward to visits from their parents because that means they will finally have groceries, I was looking forward to catching up with my closest friend.  Mom and I spent the weekend walking around campus, shopping, and watching movies.  It was not a big to-do and we did not even stay up past 11, but it was one of the best weekends I have had at Ferrum.  I was able to show Mom all of the places that I spend my time.  From the cafe to Britt Hall, she got to see everything.  On Sunday morning, we ate at 77's and she was able to get a bit of a taste for the town of Ferrum as well, literally and figuratively.

Ferrum is my home away from home and I have known that since my first day on campus, but for me, my true home has always been where my mom was.  Through a divorce and a marriage, Mom and I have moved quite a few times, but as long as we have been together, we have been "home."  Being able to have home at home this past weekend was awesome!  As a freshman last year, my biggest fear about moving to Ferrum was how in the world I was going to make it without Mom there every day.  Not to wake me up or do my laundry, but just to give me the support I needed.  While nobody will ever replace her in my life, I feel so blessed to know that I have friends and professors who come pretty close to par with Mom through their friendship and support!

Crazy Weather at Ferrum!

by Dannica B., Panther Blogger

The weather here at Ferrum College is ridiculous, but it wouldn't be Ferrum without it!  One day, it could be 64 degrees, sunny, and people will be walking around in shorts and a t-shirt.  Then the next day, it's snowing, below freezing and everyone looks like they're wearing every piece of clothing item they own.  I promise I'm not exaggerating!  Just last week, we had an instance where it was snowing one day, and two days later, I walked outside and the sun was beaming down on me. 

My best advice is to just be prepared!  If you have any evening classes or want a hot pepperoni pizza late at night, just take a jacket because temperatures tend to drop tremendously when it hits around 8 p.m.  Also, if it does snow, don't be surprised if classes don't get canceled.  Sometimes your classes may be canceled if your professors live further away from campus and can't get to class, but the college rarely cancels classes.  We often just get a compressed schedule, which is awesome because not only do we get to sleep in, but classes are shorter too, which means more time for SNOWBALL FIGHTS! 

Just remember, if you live off campus and simply can't make it to class, just email your professors and they will be more than willing to work with you. Also, if you do have a car on campus and it's snowing, don't drive!  You've probably already been told a million times not to drive in the snow unless you have four-wheel drive, but a few of my friends got into small fender benders because they wanted to drive in the snow. I promise you, it's really not worth it. Long story short, snow is fun and comes with lots of exciting activities to do, but just please be safe and stay warm!

Chilling Out and Having Fun!

by Blake S., Panther Blogger

Since the beginning of this Spring semester, I have set a goal to relax a little more and spend some quality time with my friends here at Ferrum College.  Fortunately, this semester's course load has been considerably easier and more enjoyable than some of my past semesters.  This is perhaps due to most of my classes focusing on my minors, which are chemistry and forensic science, both of which I find to be fascinating.  Since I am able to thoroughly enjoy my classes and the assigned work for them, I have been able to budget a little more of my time to having fun!

We have already been able to enjoy a great number of activities here on campus this semester, all of which were free!  A few of the things that we have done include going to the bowling alley, having movie and game nights with friends, and (my personal favorite) glow-in-the-dark dodgeball! 

Taking a break from the competition at the Black Light
Dodgeball Tournament

Enjoying the snow at Ferrum College!

The glow in the dark dodgeball was an event put on by the campus in which students were able to form teams and compete in a dodgeball tournament..all of which was under black lights.  We had a great time going up against other teams, and our team came in 4th place out of a total of 12 teams!  Not too shabby, if you ask me! 

I am excited for the other events that are coming up here on the Ferrum College campus, and in fact, we have another free bowling event coming up soon.  Being able to participate in the free events that are put on by the campus and spending time with my friends are definitely some of my favorite things about being a student at Ferrum College!

Hello from New Panther Blogger Rachel!

by Rachel W., Panther Blogger

Hello, my name is Rachel and I am a junior at Ferrum College.  I am originally from a small town in Carroll County, Virginia.  I am majoring in Social Work and will be interning at the Franklin County Hospice this summer!  The wonderful thing about earning a Social Work degree is that there are so many different agencies I can work with, so I'm not sure where I'll end up after graduation.

I am President of the Social Work Club, an active member in the Ferrum College Lions Branch Club, a Leadership Fellow, a Peer Assisted Learning Tutor, an admissions ambassador, and the E-term student assistant.  When I'm not busy with school and organizations, I love working with photography and typing for my personal blog.

When I was a senior in high school, I met Tiffany Gordon, one of Ferrum's admissions counselors, at a college fair.  She was telling me about Ferrum and it sounded like an awesome school. I knew from the beginning that I wanted to major in Social Work, and Tiffany told me about how great Ferrum's program was. After I visited Ferrum's campus for the first time, I knew this was where I would be spending the next four years of my life.  What truly attracted me to Ferrum was the sense of community, and the small class sizes.  Coming from a small high school, it was extremely important for me to know that each of my professors would know me on a first name basis.

Dogwood tree on campus

Another thing I really love about Ferrum is that it is multicultural. I've learned a ton about other cultures from my peers and professors!  There are specific classes to help you learn about other cultures as well as study abroad opportunities.

I would recommend Ferrum to anyone who was looking for a very personalized education. Here at Ferrum, you know your professors personally, and there are a ton of majors and minors you can earn.  Ferrum offers a lot of academic resources to help their students succeed as well.  Between professors being able to help you one-on-one and the peer tutoring that is offered, there is always help available.  Ferrum also has a writing center and a math center where professors help you with papers or your math homework.  It's extremely helpful and helps boost your grade!  These are great resources and the best part is that they are all completely free for students to use, which is very rare to find in a college or university.

Social Work Conference

The Social Work Program is awesome here at Ferrum!  I know that no matter where I end up after graduation, I will be fully prepared for graduate school or for a career.  Jennie and Martha, the two main Social Work professors, are highly skilled and knowledgeable about the field.  Both of them take a lot of time to find the perfect internship for each student and they offer an excellent hands-on learning environment.

Enjoying the snow at the farm at Ferrum!

This semester is going to be super-busy for me!  The Social Work Club is planning on visiting kids at an after-school center, adults at the local nursing home, and the homeless at the local homeless shelter.  The Lions Branch Club is participating in Read Across America and a diabetes awareness day.  And that's just the beginning!

I'm excited to be a Panther Blogger and I hope you enjoy reading about my experiences here at Ferrum College!

The Important Things

by Laken P., Panther Blogger

As the semester goes on, pages and pages of papers are typed, hours are spent studying for exams, sleep is hard to come by, and stress is evident on the faces of nearly everyone. Through all of the academic struggle we endure during the thirteen weeks that make up a semester, it is easy to forget about having fun.  We try so hard to earn every point, make the highest grades we can, and boost our resume in every way possible that the other college experiences are sometimes pushed aside.  As I am over halfway done with my short time in Ferrum, I can look back and say that perhaps the most important lesson I have learned so far cannot be found in any textbook or lecture - it must be experienced.  The best advice I could give to an incoming student is to learn this lesson quickly and value it the entire time you are here.

Halloween!

College is about getting an education and preparing yourself for the rest of your life, but academics is not the only important thing.  How many people can look back and say that they remember the grade they got on one of their mid-terms during their freshman year of college?  Now ask those same people about attending a formal, staying up all night laughing with your best friends, or going to eat at 3 a.m. because you just had to have a milkshake - their memory will be much clearer.  The friends we make and the memories we share will be what we carry with us for the rest of our lives. Don't get me wrong, the diploma hanging on the wall is key to your future, but what does it mean without some funny stories to share along the way?

Bid Day

The Great Fratsby

The amount of time that we are given in college is entirely too short, and before you know it, graduation will only be a few days away.  While it is easy to wish away all of the 8 a.m. classes after the 4 a.m. bedtimes from doing homework, losing these things also means losing the things that make college so special:  getting to live independently and surrounded by all of the people and events that will stay with you forever.

Friends in the Honors Program

Snowball!

This semester was definitely my hardest one to date, but at the same time, I also had some of the best times.  From attending Cirque Musica with the Honors Program to the Snowball, the Great Fratsby Celebration, holding events with the other Greeks on campus and going to Walmart at 2 a.m. to stock up on half-price Halloween candy, I have definitely learned to take in the experience as a whole. The push to have a 4.0 GPA is ideal, but it is not everything.  If you don't balance academics and fun and if you miss out on all that Ferrum and life have to offer, you will definitely regret it later on in life no matter how good your grades may be.

The Beginning of the End

by Blake S., Panther Blogger

It is almost impossible to believe that my senior year at Ferrum has finally arrived!  Although I transferred into Ferrum College as a junior and I knew that my time here would be limited to a total of only two years, it seems like I have been a part of the Ferrum College family for a very long time. Within the year that I have spent here so far, I have learned such a great amount of knowledge and have been granted so many opportunities that I still find it hard to believe!

Thus far in my final fall semester as an undergraduate, I have taken on two new duties alongside being a student. These include being a resident assistant and an organic chemistry tutor.  These are excellent opportunities that will aid me in the development of my resume and graduate school applications while also providing me with a unique experience and a nice paycheck!

Getting ready for the Homecoming game!

Picking out some Halloween costumes!

The classes this semester have been a new challenge in themselves, now being higher level courses.  However, no matter how tough the classes become, I am always able to manage time to sit back, relax, and enjoy time with friends.  A few of the activities that I have participated in lately have included going to the homecoming football game, participating in the Ferrum College centennial activities, and traveling to Roanoke to enjoy time away from campus.

It is an exciting time in my life to know that I am almost about to complete this very challenging and crucial stage in my life.  I am anxiously awaiting the day on which I will be able to walk across the stage and receive that piece of paper that encompasses all of the accomplishments that I have achieved since I have been here at Ferrum College.

Settling In

by Chris L., Panther Blogger

I have been at Ferrum College now for just over 2 weeks. The first thing that has taken me a while to adjust to is the heat. Back home in Northern Ireland, it rains almost every day and we very rarely get a full day of sun shine. Our summer consists of day after day of rain, and we rarely have temperatures over 20 degrees Celsius. I am looking forward to the winter as I am not used to this heat!

Another issue I have had to adjust to is the timetable. Back home at my university during my first two years, I was only in college two/three day a week.  Over here, I am in class every day, although it is only for a couple of hours, and then the rest of the day I can spend doing things I like. I have completed as many assignments in the past two weeks here as I have in 1 year at university at home. We do not have to complete that many assignments as they only count as a small percentage of my overall mark for the year. Exams are more important at home.

On Friday the 7th of September, I attended the free bowling night in Rocky Mount with the other international students. Although I am not very good at bowling, it was still good "craic" (craic in Northern Ireland means "fun").  I often say "what's the craic" to people and get weird looks, but it actually means "How are you".

Last weekend, I watched my first American football game and I did not understand it one bit. I couldn't believe how long the matches take -- it took around 1 hour and 30 minutes to get to half time!  Hopefully, by the end of the year, I will understand it a bit better though. Back home, I play rugby, so it was good to actually see an American football game in person to see how it differs.

The Transferring Transformation

by Blake S., Panther Blogger

Perhaps one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences that I have had thus far in my life was the transition from being a community college student to becoming a Ferrum College student. The main reason this was so challenging for me was because of the new environment I was being placed into. I was going from a community where I felt very comfortable to somewhere that I knew very little about. I was transferring into a college where I didn't know anyone, was going to live on my own, and take classes that I had never even heard of before. I was very nervous but excited at the same time to embrace this new stage of my life. I thought that attending Ferrum College would be just like the community college except even better now that I was able to be more independent.  However, after a few weeks of my first semester at Ferrum, I learned that there were very few similarities between this private four-year college and the community college.

At the community college, I was able to both be a full-time student and have a full-time job, working anywhere from thirty to forty hours a week without becoming overwhelmed. The classes I took were not very demanding, and many of the professors were very lenient on the assigned coursework. I also had tons of free time throughout the week and in between classes to go grab a bit to eat, hang out with friends, and just relax. Life was easily lived and not challenging at all.

Playing volleyball with friends back home

Unfortunately, I had the mindset that Ferrum College would be the same way. I actually expected that attending Ferrum would be a little easier than community college since I did not plan to work a full-time job while taking classes at the same time. However, I soon learned that being a student at Ferrum College was a full-time job in itself.

Since I transferred into Ferrum as a junior, most of my classes are advanced upper level courses. These are much more challenging than the introductory and basic level courses that I had taken throughout my two semesters at the community college. In the fall, I was also exposed to professors I had never worked with before and teaching styles that were very different from what I was used to. I learned very quickly that if I wanted to be successful in my college career here at Ferrum, I would need to develop time management and organizational skills. These were not easy things to do, especially since I never had to worry much about them beforehand, but once I learned how to execute them effectively, my life became much easier and the semester became more enjoyable.

Presenting independent research at the Blue Ridge
Undergraduate Research conference

It was also a new experience for me to live on a college campus. One of the main reasons I decided to attend Ferrum College was because it was away from home. I was ready to see what it was like to have to support oneself. I thought that it would be a great eye-opener to have the responsibility of being a full-time student and making good grades while at the same time carrying on with life without my family there to provide for me. This is perhaps the challenge I have enjoyed the most. I learned that living on my own is actually much more enjoyable than living at home, and the responsibility has encouraged me to mature and become more determined to succeed.

An afternoon of hiking with friends at Ferrum College

My first semester at Ferrum College was not an easy one. However, after developing time management and organizational skills, making new friends, and building professional relationships with the faculty on campus, I was able to overcome my struggles and be successful. Being introduced to the new and more educationally-developed environment at Ferrum College has allowed me to grow in knowledge and become prepared for life in the real world. I feel that my experience of transferring from a community college into Ferrum College has transformed me into a new and better person.