KENNESAW, Ga. | Jan 14, 2022

The first semester of college is a time of transition and growth as students spread their wings and begin to navigate their academic careers, discover new interests and make lasting memories. In recognition of that significant step, we are highlighting students who have just completed their first semesters at Kennesaw State University. Cassidy Martin, an honors student from Acworth who plans to pursue a degree in International Business, shares what made her first semester as an Owl meaningful.

What is your favorite moment/memory from your first semester?
I think the big one was convocation, because a lot happened for me there. That’s where I became a brand ambassador and shared the music that I make at my church. I interacted a lot with Jordan Stevenson, director of student recruitment, who was running convocation. He told me to plug my Instagram, and I mentioned that in my Instagram bio there was a link to my song on Spotify. So everyone went a little crazy, and a few minutes later they were playing it over the loudspeakers.

How did your first semester of college compare to your expectations?
I was coming from a classical education background in a homeschool program that is designed in your junior and senior years to be like college courses, so in terms of the course load, it hasn’t been bad whatsoever. In high school, I had anywhere from eight to 12 courses a semester. I think the big thing has been the interactions — it has been so easy to talk with people. I’ll sit at the high tops for lunch by myself, and people will sit down, and we’ll just start talking. I’ve made a couple friends out of that.

As you adjusted to college this semester, who or what has been your greatest support at KSU?
I think that would be my roommates. Two of us come from a similar college preparatory background, another one is the roommate I was paired with going through the whole housing process, and she and I are really similar. Another of my roommates and I share a performing arts background. We all get along really well, and we all have certain things in common. I think having them and all having similar interests, helping each other find good professors, that’s been the best.

Outside of class, what did you do to get involved at KSU in your first semester?
In addition to being a KSU brand ambassador, promoting and representing the university on social media, I just got a job as the lead assistant at Night Owl in the box office. I’ve applied to be a resident assistant with KSU Housing next year, as well as an orientation leader, so I’m at least trying to get super involved with KSU-affiliated programs. I also frequent home football games, went to some of the KSU Journey Honors College events this year and packed out my schedule for the week of welcome events at the beginning of the semester. 

Did your college plan change at all during your first semester?
I don’t think so. I had all of my crises over, ‘What am I going to major in?’ in high school. It was theater at one point, and then ended up classics, because I took Latin for seven years and I really enjoyed that and excelled in it. Then it went back to theater before I found out I loved administration work through a job I had when I was 15, and that I liked the idea of business. So when I came to KSU, I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do in business, but I selected international business as an interest and two minors — economics and Spanish. I’ve sort of created this whole program for myself so that I could get all the information I needed about the business field and make an informed decision by my junior and senior years about what I might want to do post-graduation. 

What was the best/most beneficial aspect of your first semester?
I think I’d have to say convocation again, just because of the friends that I made there. 

– Thomas Hartwell
Photos by Jason Getz

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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 45,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.