Many undergraduates say they have fond memories from the summer, but most say they are glad to be back in school. 

“I am looking forward to having classes with some of my friends for the first time since freshman year,” said junior Zane Darr, a Business Management major who spent his first two years attending classes in Westville. 

“I am also excited to go to the Hammond campus for the first time,” he said. “Hopefully, I will make some new friends there and enjoy my third year.”

Maddie Lessard, a junior Elementary Education major, had an exciting summer.  

“The most memorable thing I did … was go to Las Vegas for my 21st birthday,” she said. “I went with my family, and it was an amazing time. … It was my very first time going on an airplane.”

Still, Lessard said she’s happy the summer is over.

“The thing I am most looking forward to this year is starting my student teaching in the spring,” she said. “I am so excited to experience teaching older students. I have only taught young children before, so I imagine it will be much different. I get nervous trying new things, but it is also exciting.”

Some students are just eager to tackle new classes. 

“What I look forward to most is my English classes, especially [Games and Gamification],” said junior Jared Tulford, an English major. “I love that it combines my two favorite things: writing and video games.”

Sophomore Isaac Voldness is already looking ahead to the spring semester.

“I’m looking forward to finishing my core classes this semester, so I can get the television production classes next semester,” said the Communication major.  

Voldness also wants to start experiencing PNW beyond the classroom.

“I’m looking forward to participating more in extra-curricular school activities,” he said.  “I want to play intramural sports and join clubs.”

Freshman Naeomi Hayes wants to immerse herself in the college experience – particularly after her best friend died in a car accident during the summer.

“I’m generally introverted, I wasn’t active or interested in anything in high school,” said Hayes, who plans to study Nursing. “I want to be more outgoing to broaden my horizons.”

Some students – especially seniors who are poised to graduate – have their own special reason to be excited about the school year.

“The one thing [I look forward to most] is graduation and working full-time,” said Drew Johnsen, an Electrical Engineering student who plans to work at SEMAC, a design and manufacturing company in Griffith. “I will be able to start my career as an engineer and a project engineer. Engineering … changes the world. Everything that someone touches or holds goes through engineering design.” 

Jonathan Bradford and Katelyn Wiening also contributed to this story.