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YSU students ready for fall semester
By Denise Dick
YOUNGSTOWN
Incoming Youngstown State University freshman Sydney Danko relies on her big sister to show her the ropes of her first year of college.
“I told her, ‘Don’t buy all of your books, get to class at least an hour early’ — like a big sister should,” her sister, Paige Williams, said.
Williams, who used to attend the University of Akron, accompanied Danko to YSU to get her books Tuesday, the day before the first day of classes today. Getting to YSU so early will ensure her younger sister gets a parking space and it’s better to wait to hear from the professor to learn what books are necessary rather than going by what’s in the course information, she explained.
Danko of Austintown is majoring in nursing.
She picked YSU because it’s close to home. Although she looks forward to studying a field she’s interested in rather than being assigned to classes by someone else, Danko acknowledges some nervousness stemming from the new experience.
The tips from her older sister are helping to ease some of that tension though.
A block party runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. today at Kilcawley Center, welcoming students for the fall semester. This year’s party boasts a retro theme as the center marks its 40th anniversary. Students can win prizes.
Michelle Mixon, a senior from Youngstown’s North Side, filled out paperwork Tuesday for a campus job. The social-work major is excited for this school year because more of her class work will focus on what she wants to be doing.
“It’s more interesting, and that’s a sign for me that it’s what I’m supposed to be doing,” she said.
Darnell Owens, a freshman from Warren, listened to music on his headphones, while finishing some last-minute tasks before classes start. He had to complete paperwork and buy books.
Owens will study business administration and is eager to start.
“The overall experience is what I’m looking forward to,” he said. “I’m just interested in learning. I think this is a good school do to it.”