PNW students are excited to be back in school – and not just for classes.

As the 2024-25 year begins, students said they are eager for fresh academic challenges and to reconnect with friends.

“I am looking forward to being able to explore my passions in my classes through my projects and make new friends while strengthening my current relationships,” said junior Mya Dungy, a Public Advocacy major. 

Some students can’t wait to get back in the classroom.

“I am most excited about my first responder course this semester,” said junior Madison Gaytan, an Integrative Human Health major. “I think this class will give me a great insight toward patient care in emergencies.” 

Other students hope to improve their GPAs during the new semester.

“An academic goal that I want to accomplish this semester is my grades,” said senior Alivia Godfrey, a Criminal Justice major. “I want to stay on top of my classes. I want to achieve … all A’s and B’s this semester.” 

For others, the semester offers a fresh chance to get more organized.

“I want to … take my readings for my classes more seriously,” said senior Alayna Biro, a Behavioral Sciences major. “I tend to struggle a lot with reading the textbooks and assigned readings for classes and slack off. However, I plan to create a schedule for myself to ensure I read them. Reading the material will allow me to … do well in each class.”

Chrys Navarro wants to be challenged.

“I’m most looking forward to testing my abilities,” said the junior Psychology major. “During the summer I lost momentum, and I want to prove to myself that I can still maintain my GPA and my motivation.”

But many students are looking forward to new social opportunities.

“I am looking forward to branching out more this semester,” said junior Jacqui Perez, a Biology major. “Last semester I tried to attend some on-campus events but this semester I would like to participate much more.

“A personal goal I have is meeting new people and being able to form study groups with people that are serious about school,” she said. “I’ve always felt that studying with a group of people is helpful to … understand the material and learn a new perspective.”

For transfer student Malia Butler, the semester offers an opportunity to make new friends.

“I’m looking forward to meeting new people and having new college experiences,” said Butler, a junior Graphic Design major who transferred from Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana. “A goal of mine is to be more confident and social. I also want to try my best to get all A’s this school year.”

Sophomore Sydney Frost feels the same way.

“I want to meet new people [and] make some more friends,” said the Integrative Human Health major. “I also want to study and be on campus more than last semester … and go to a lot of the sporting events.”

But Frost said she does not want social activities to get in the way of good grades.

“I want to get all A’s and have a high GPA,” she said.

While many students anticipate new adventures at PNW, some are thinking about life after graduation.

“As I am nearing the end of my academic career … a goal of mine is to connect with potential job opportunities,” said Sara Timmons, a senior Business major. “Marketing yourself to others is incredibly important since you never know what potential connections might arise. Since I will be going into the business field, I want to get a head start and try to set myself up for success.”

Third-year student Everett Fehr agrees. 

“What I’m most looking forward to during this semester is applying to internships throughout,” said Fehr, who is majoring in Finance and Accounting. “All of my current courses are heavily related to my majors. Hopefully, this will help me stand out more.” 

Junior Rafael Escutia is also thinking about the future – and not just job prospects.

“There is this girl … and I am excited to experience moving in with her, hopefully, by the end of this year,” said the Education major. “It comes with a lot of responsibility and I am looking forward to moving my life in a different direction to where I am financially stable enough to do so.”

Adrianna Alvarez, Bethany Askew, Maya Butler, Joshua Hayes, Megan Heavner, Alysen Roman, Olivia Truett, Brielle Trull and Jaime Velazques contributed to this article.