The University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

It?s September, I?ve already been at The University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill for about a month and I am finally starting to settle into my classes and getting used to dorm life. As a freshman at this profound university, I wanted to find something that I knew would feel more like home, a place where I knew I would have a second family, and that was volleyball. It was not a hard decision to try out when I heard the club volleyball team was holding tryouts this past semester. I immediately texted the new friends I had made and said ?I?m gonna try out for the team, wish me luck!?. I have played volleyball since I was 11 years old and it has always been like a second home to me. A place I knew I could go to blow off some steam, relax, and just have fun.

It was the first day of tryouts, a Monday. I woke up, and went to my class at 9:30 a.m. and then to my next one at 12:30 p.m. Tryouts started at 8:00 p.m. and lasted until 10:00 p.m. As I was going through my day, I wasn't feeling anxious or nervous about the first day of tryouts, but rather excited and ecstatic to be able to show them what I could do on the court. Before going to Fetzer Gym A, I decided it would be a good idea to get some of my homework and assignments are done since I knew I was going to be up late, so I went to Davis for about three hours. I was so focused and relaxed, which is surprising since I usually stress over getting my work done. But aside from this, it was finally time to head to the gym. As I walked in I heard a speaker blasting some R&B music and saw about thirty girls in the gym, already wearing their knee pads and getting their numbers from the President of club volleyball at UNC, Cait Grubbs. After setting my stuff on the ground and putting on my shoes, sleeves, and knee pads, I looked up only to see Cait standing above me to ask ?Are you, Katie Whitesell??. I said "yes" in the calmest manner, only to be thinking in my mind ?Oh my god she not only knows my name but she's heard about me!?. She gave me my number and before walking away said ?I can't wait to see you bring your energy and show your skills?.

After the three days of tryouts and waiting had passed, I finally got the email. My stomach dropped and my heart started beating out of my chest. I have never felt so nervous when it came to volleyball until receiving this email. I called my best friend and told her to come to my dorm so we could open it together. She got to my room in the next thirty minutes and she opened the email for me. ?We are so excited to offer you a spot on Team White. You showed so much energy and outstanding skills during tryouts. We hope you will accept our offer!?. My heart dropped and that feeling of anxiousness left my body. I was so happy I couldn't sit still. I emailed back and told them I would ?gladly accept the spot? and I knew at this time that my next four years at UNC were going to be the best of my life. I not only had academics to look forward to but that feeling of building a second family and home as well. It was now the first week of October and we started to have our first practices of the season. We practice every Monday and Wednesday from 8-10 pm in Fetzer Gym A, with about 4 or 5 tournaments each semester. After about 5 weeks had gone by of practicing twice a week and I started to become good, if not best friends with every girl on my team. We each came from different backgrounds, cultures, and were even interested in different things, but it was volleyball that brought us all together and made us so close. This was my new second family and the reason that Carolina started to feel at home. Before coming to college, I was the typical nervous freshman, scared to live in a dorm on my own and branch out to make new connections in such a diverse university. By making the club volleyball team as a freshman, I have been able to go to my classes and feel so relaxed just knowing that I can still play the sport I have always loved doing. I will always love this team and the new group of girls that I have become so close to and I would encourage others at or coming to UNC to try something new or something that will bring them happiness, even if they are unsure of the outcome because I promise, this is the best decision I ever made since getting to Carolina.

1st Year Female -- Class 1926

Education Quality: A+, Individual Value: B

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at UNC. There are numerous research opportunities in my department, which was crucial in finding the subfield I'm most interested in; I've been involved with 4 labs, and 3 were excellent experiences. Overall, UNC was a wonderful home during my time here, and I feel that it has helped me develop into a true researcher.

3rd Year Male -- Class 2018

Education Quality: A+, Useful Schoolwork: B

Carolina is an incredible institution. Academically, professors will challenge you and expect you to spend time learning the material outside of class. This is not a campus where you will be spoon feed the material - your lectures will be different than the readings which will be supplemental. Many will view the social seen as elitist or greek dominated - that is only if you allow it. There is a group for everyone at Carolina and by senior year all of the campus seems to know everyone. You have to step outside of your comfort shell and get involved. In-state students seem to have an advantage from Charlotte and Raleigh since they know so many coming in; however, they often can let this hinder them by only ever getting to know the same people. Loved my experience and will recommend it to everyone.

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000