“I chose early on in my senior year that I wanted to go away for college. My family had always moved around. We were living in Indiana at the time when I decided that I wanted to attend college in the South. But, after visiting a few big schools, I felt overwhelmed and couldn’t picture myself there. My parents both graduated from Louisiana Tech and never pressured me to go there. But, after seeing me so discouraged they suggested that I at least go visit. The friendly faces everywhere on the campus are what drew me in. I wasn’t attracted by a particular degree program – I just knew that I could make Louisiana Tech into a new home.”

Although Louisiana Tech is family, it’s inevitable that you’ll get homesick at some point. Keeping busy is your best solution. Plug yourself into as many campus organizations as possible. Try out for things, and get to know people in your major. Your schoolwork should come first, but everyone needs some other motivations to be on campus. Tech was always a very comfortable place for me, like a second home. My parents, however, were 14 hours away in Indiana. I missed my family. Instead of finding ways to keep busy and take my mind off of it, I just went to class and dwelled on my situation.

I turned it around in the Spring quarter of my freshman year. I got to know my sorority sisters and things got 110% better. Then, in my sophomore year, I focused on getting involved at Louisiana Tech. Being involved helps you develop a love for the school and you want to see it become more and more successful. Also, the families in Ruston are very welcoming to Tech students. If you need a home-cooked meal or just the comfort of another family, you won’t have any trouble finding it.

Going to summer orientation is the best way to really see what Tech has to offer. It gets you on campus with students going through the same experience. You also meet upperclassmen who’ve been in your shoes. Gradually, the campus draws you in. It’s beautiful. The faces you see every day turn it into a home.

Some of the best advice I got when I was choosing a college was not to base a decision on a certain degree program offered at the college. Rather, pick a school that will be comfortable and a good place for YOU. Your major will likely change, but, if you like where you are you can ALWAYS find a field of study.