As a freshman, spring second semester isn't intimidating to Rachel Turner. She has time on her side as she navigates what it means to be a volunteer while gaining her bachelor's degree.
College students experience a great deal of change and growth in a short period of time. Each year of undergraduate study brings its fair share of new adventures and struggles, and no two college experiences are identical.
Rachel Turner is a freshman special education major who is excited to continue learning and growing as she enters her first second semester as a college student. Helen Pritchett, on the other hand, is a senior psychology major soaking up her last second semester of college before she graduates in May.
The term “second semester” means entirely different things to these two. In a Q&A about their current college experiences and future plans, Turner and Pritchett reveal both similarities and differences as two students in completely different stages of their lives.
*These interviews have been edited for clarity.
What were your expectations coming into college, and how have those expectations lived up to reality?
Turner: Coming into college, I was both nervous and excited. I expected the classes to be more difficult than high school courses, and this proved to be true, but I also found that I had more time during my days that I could use to my benefit. I also was worried that it would be hard to make friends since the campus was so large, but it actually hasn’t been too bad finding good people.
Pritchett: Coming into college, I expected to expand my social life and explore my hobbies. Although it took longer to reach because of Covid restrictions, I have definitely achieved both of those expectations.
What plans do you have for the remainder of your college experience?
Turner: During the next few years of college, I hope to get more involved. I want to see what other clubs and organizations I can be a part of so that I can make a difference at UTK.
Pritchett: I plan on staying super involved in my campus clubs like Alpha Kappa Psi and saying yes to more activities with friends. I also really want to scratch off a few UTK bucket list items — like roasting marshmallows off the torch bearer.
Where do you see yourself after graduation?
Turner: In the next few years, I see myself getting my bachelor’s degree and working on my master’s. I am majoring in special education. After graduation, I hope to become a special education teacher.
Pritchett: This is difficult to say, but I guess this is the fun part of nearing graduation. I’m starting to take the steps of figuring out where I’d like to be which could be anywhere but hopefully Nashville. I don’t have any specific post-graduation plans, but I do plan on having tons of fun figuring that out.
What has been your favorite and least favorite class?
Turner: So far, my classes have all been great. I’ve only been here for a semester, so that probably plays into it a little, but I haven’t had any major problems. My favorite class was my intro to poetry course because I enjoyed reading a variety of poems and hearing each of my classmates’ perspectives. My least favorite class was probably my biology course simply because it moved faster than I expected it to.
Pritchett: As a psychology major, my classes have been very engaging and fun. My favorite class was abnormal psychology taught by Katie Rowinski. My least favorite is probably accounting, which I’m only taking for my business minor — just barely made it out alive.
Why did you decide to come to UT?
Turner: I chose to come to UTK because it just felt right. It sounds cheesy, but when I toured it, as soon as I stepped on campus, it felt right. I really loved what it had to offer for my major, and I loved the atmosphere around campus.
Pritchett: A lot of my siblings chose UT, and after having visited a few times, it already felt like the place I wanted to make my home after high school graduation.
What does being a Volunteer mean to you?
Turner: To me, being a Volunteer means helping others. You’re never forced to be kind, but you are anyway because it’s the right thing to do. Taking initiative to make the campus or the world a better place is what a Volunteer is to me.
Pritchett: To me, being a Volunteer means that I am a part of an amazing community of people who show support and love towards each other. It means we understand the responsibility of upholding the Volunteer title by helping others before yourself.
Any advice to other college students?
Turner: My advice to other college students is to never be afraid to fail. Failure can be terrifying, but you should learn to accept failure because it means you’re trying. It means you’re learning. And that’s what we’re all doing here at college. Growing into who we are with each mistake we make. Mistakes are normal, and they push us to succeed. So never be afraid to fail.
Pritchett: Join a club, don’t be afraid to do things by yourself and step out of your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid to make a wrong decision — you get out what you put into your experience.
