It was about nine months ago when the fresh faces of Penn State’s Class of 2028 arrived on campus. Thousands of high school graduates came flooding into Happy Valley, not knowing what was ahead of them.

Now that finals are around the corner, these freshmen are about to become sophomores. To round off the 2024-25 school year, we asked our freshmen staffers to think back on their first year in Happy Valley and share what they thought.

Melanie Thalhimer

As I reflect on my freshman year, I realize that only one phrase can truly summarize everything: pure happiness. While initially I never intended to apply to Penn State as a Georgia-born and raised girl, man, am I glad my college advisor pushed me toward Happy Valley. After attending the 2023 Peach Bowl game in Atlanta, I just knew I was born to be a Penn Stater. Fun fact: My first time seeing campus in person was during new-student orientation right after high school graduation! Shortly after, I spent my summer participating in the “Leap Summer Session Program” and truly had one of the best experiences of my life. The start of my college career felt like summer camp and led me to meet some of my best friends. By the time fall rolled around, I knew this place was perfect for me.

I immediately got involved with Volé dance organization because I wasn’t quite ready to give up dancing after 16 years, the Association for Women in Sports Media (AWSM), and a THON Operations committee. During my fall semester, I spent my time cheering on Penn State football in Beaver Stadium, finally learning the rules of hockey, dancing, networking in the sports media field, meeting the most amazing people, and, of course, reminding myself how lucky I am to be a Penn Stater.

When spring semester rolled around, I knew I wanted to add something to my plate. As everyone who knows me can agree, the busier I am, the happier I am. This brings me to joining the staff at Onward State. Joining OS truly was the best decision ever, as so many doors in the sports industry opened up for me. Because of OS, I got to join the baseball beat this season and experience some once-in-a-lifetime experiences, interview Penn State athletes who achieve such amazing things for their sports, and of course, surround myself with the coolest and most fun staff ever.

All in all, I’ve been pretty lucky being here at Penn State. As my freshman year ends, I am proud to say this was the best decision I ever made, and I can’t imagine being at any other school. To the friends I’ve made here, you all are the absolute best, and I can’t wait to make so many more fun memories next year. To all the clubs I have joined, I am truly so lucky to be a member of your organization and cannot wait for another semester of nothing but smiles. Finally, to OS, thank you for taking a chance on me this semester and for allowing me to have the most fun covering “all things Penn State.” I truly cannot wait to be back here this August and will always be proud to say “WE ARE!”

Lauren Gruca

Recapping on my freshman year feels impossible. So much has happened in just a year. I moved to a whole different state, knowing barely anyone here, which was the worst part. However, over time, it got better. First football season, joining Onward State, watching DWTS every week with my friends, and the first snowfall at East Halls were some of the highlights of my year. I’m so grateful for all of the people I’ve met and all of the opportunities I’ve had this year. I’m so glad I chose Penn State and can’t wait for my next three years here!

Tessa Torres-Hoffman

I was sick the entire time.

Ella Wehmeyer

When I look back on my freshman year here at Penn State, I honestly don’t know where to begin. This year has been a whirlwind of emotions, to say the very least.

Although I live in Miami, Florida, I was born and raised a Penn Stater as both my parents graduated from here, along with my grandfather. When I applied here, I wasn’t really sure if it was the place for me since it was so far away from home, or if I would even get in. Penn State was my first acceptance letter I got back, and I had never been happier.

Coming to Happy Valley at the beginning of the fall semester was one of the scariest things I have done. On top of knowing almost no one here, I am one of the most introverted people with crazy social anxiety. I was terrified that I would never find my people here.

In comes Onward State. I had missed being a part of a newspaper and taking photos like I was in high school, so my mom suggested I apply for Onward State. This was the best decision I could’ve made. Onward State has pulled me out of my comfort zone. This blog has given me some of the greatest opportunities and allowed me to be some of the greatest people. Honestly, Onward State completely changed how my year was going.

So, even though I was in complete distraught for the first couple of months over the huge change that I was going through coming here, it was the best decision ever. There were, of course, your usual bumps in the road. These bumps were not limited to an interesting random roommate, taking way-too-hard classes, and the previously stated random roommate moving out. Through all that, though, Penn State has made me a happier, confident, and outgoing person, and I wouldn’t change anything about it.

If I’ve learned anything in my first year at Penn State, it’s that change is good. Embrace the changes in your life, and something good just might come out of it. Thank you, blog, for helping me realize how great Happy Valley really is. I’m excited to see what these next three years have in store.

Alyssa Murray

I didn’t grow up dreaming of Penn State or have any deep connection to the school. But every time I went thrifting, I somehow came home with another Penn State sweatshirt. By senior year, my closet was full of blue and white. When it came time to choose a college, I looked at it all and thought, maybe this is a sign. I applied, got accepted, and enrolled in the summer session.

At first, I was unsure about giving up part of my summer for college. It felt like a big step, especially when most of my friends were still on break. But starting in the summer ended up being one of the best decisions I could have made. It made campus feel smaller, gave me time to adjust, and helped me settle in before the fall rush.

From there, everything started to fall into place. I joined THON right away as a Rules and Regulations security leader. Attending THON and seeing the BJC at full capacity in support of the cause quickly became a core memory. I leaned into my major and realized I truly enjoy advertising. I joined Happy Valley Communications and the Ad/PR Club, took on leadership roles, and gained real experience while meeting people who share the same drive. Because of these opportunities, I’ll be spending the summer in two internships as a social media specialist and marketing assistant, continuing to grow in what I love.

Writing has always been something I’ve enjoyed, so I became a writing tutor with Penn State Learning and later joined Onward State during the spring. I’ve been able to use my voice in new ways and connect with people through stories and support.

Even though I haven’t fully found my group yet, I’ve found a rhythm that works. I kept soccer in my life by playing on an intramural team and working as a referee this spring. I’ve built new routines, explored new interests, and found a place that feels like home.

Penn State kind of snuck up on me. I didn’t expect to love it as much as I do, but now I can’t imagine being anywhere else. I’m proud to be here, excited for what’s ahead, and grateful for how far I’ve already come.

Oscar Orellana

I’ll keep this short. My first year at Penn State has easily been the most transformative year of my life, and I’m beyond grateful for all of the experiences that have helped me grow professionally and emotionally. I’m a California boy, and I took a shot by coming out here, but I know this is where I’m meant to be. This year would have been really a whole lot of nothing without Onward State, and words can’t describe how thankful I am for the blog. Thank you to my family, my girlfriend, and everyone who’s helped me along the way. I’m beyond excited for what’s to come.

Tia Kaschauer

Honestly, freshman year has been anything but boring. If you don’t like Penn State, it’s because you’re not involved. As soon as you’re involved here, it becomes your life. When I was picking a college, I had no idea what I was doing, but I’m so thankful I chose Penn State because now I could not see myself at any other school. I was blessed in finding my community and best friends in many different places. I’m excited to see where this takes me!

Michael Zeno

For most of my life, I’ve had some family member attend Penn State, and in a family that’s dressed me in Penn State clothes since I was an infant, it always felt like an inevitability. When that inevitability came true, I held onto the past as long as I could until the last possible moment. When it came time to move in, despite being here plenty of times before last August, it felt so foreign. Going from a high school with 2,000 students to a massive campus of 45,000 was jarring. It took me a while before I could find my classes or start a routine, all while battling homesickness, going months without seeing my family. Learning how to effectively live on your own while still living in a shared space where you have one bathroom shared by 30 people is a one-of-a-kind experience.

The thing that helped me settle in best here was going to my comfort zone: sporting events. The student section in all different sports has been incredible. Going to a game in Beaver Stadium in the nosebleeds doesn’t compare to being in the middle of thousands of ravenous students. Experiencing the incredible seasons of the football, hockey, and wrestling teams I’ve followed for years was so amazing.

This year has been full of new experiences, new people, and new places that I couldn’t have experienced at home. I never envisioned joining a blog to write about experiences or sports, and yet, I did in January. You learn so much about who you are with these experiences where you’re pushed into an uncomfortable place, and I never really realized that until I got here. In the fall, I often questioned why I came here, why I decided to go hours from home to a place with so many strangers, but those thoughts haven’t existed for a while now because I know I made the right choice. I see why my siblings liked it here so much.

Julia Romankow

Coming to Penn State in the fall, I was so excited to get “the college experience” and go to a big school. My graduating class in high school was around 87 people, and going to a big school was something I had always dreamt of. Penn State was my top choice (out of the two schools I applied for), and I don’t regret my decision one bit.

I honestly am in shock at how fast my first year went by. There are so many great memories I made during this year. At the same time, getting adjusted to college life was a bit difficult at the beginning of the semester. While there were definitely some challenges, I pulled through. I am so excited to see what next semester has in store.

Maggie Alderisio

When I was in eighth grade, I moved my brother into his freshman year dorm here at Penn State. It was the first real look I had of a college, and it set the bar pretty high. Four years later, I was a junior in high school walking around campus after his graduation in the BJC. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but I knew this was where I had to go. There was just something about the overall atmosphere that was irresistible to me.

Now, as I finish up my own freshman year, I can easily say that Penn State has been everything I hoped for and more. I came here because of my brother’s influence, but I found an experience totally unique from his and have felt at home since the first night in my dorm. It feels like just a few weeks ago that I watched my entire family drive away, leaving me alone on the front steps of Hastings Hall. I wasn’t exactly sure what I was going to do with myself. Since that day, I have found a second family with the people on my floor, attended a million different Penn State sporting events, and created a community for myself that I know would do anything for me.

I’m sure there is only more to come in the upcoming years, but freshman year will always hold a special place in my heart. Coming to Penn State was the best decision I have ever made, and I’m thankful every day to go here.

Olivia Hess

Before my first day of freshman year, I had a Disney Channel-esque version in my head of what being a college student was really like. I thought I was supposed to get to campus on the first day, join every club imaginable, immediately meet my best friends, and live happily ever after. Obviously, that is not reality. Since my high school graduating class was so tiny (literally double digits), acclimating to the massive Penn State scene was not as easy as the Disney shows made it seem. But, after the first few weeks of adjustment, it’s safe to say that I couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else. 

This first year as a student in Happy Valley was not what I expected it to be, but it turned out to be so much better. Cheering alongside 110,000 other fans in Beaver Stadium, walking to Roots at least once a week with friends, experiencing the magic of THON first-hand, and getting an iced shaken espresso every morning from EDGE (for only $2) all contributed to what made this year so memorable. I am also thrilled to have found great people that I can call friends, through incredible clubs and organizations like Onward State and THON. 

Choosing Penn State was the best decision I could have made for myself! For now, I’m choosing to ignore the financial debt I’ll be drowning in, and instead focusing on how to make the most of my time here. I’m thankful for the countless doors Penn State has waiting to be opened and proud that I stepped out of my comfort zone to walk through them. Freshman year was one for the books! 

Darrius Hamilton

As my first year ends, I believe I’ve found myself and my passion. Changing from STEM to art, I accomplished a lot. Penn State wasn’t the first choice for me when I applied, but it was the best choice. Being far from home, I surrounded myself with people who made me feel at home.

In my first semester, I was a physics major, but it was a big jump for me in my life, and I struggled a lot with STEM courses. Later that semester, I realized that physics wasn’t for me, and I explored more options. I will soon choose digital art for my new major. Fast forward to the next semester, and I’m getting all As in my classes and meeting new friends who I relate to. Plus, I joined Onward State. After all my time here, through the drama, the struggle, and the negative emotions, I’d never choose another school and am a Penn Stater for life. I will stick with my new major as a digital artist.