Emily Alves

Emily

Senior, May 2019
Majors: Communication Disorders
Hometown: Downers Grove, IL
High School: Downers Grove South High School


Why did you choose Truman?

I chose Truman because I wanted to be more than just a number at a big school. I wanted a school where I could get to know my professors personally and be challenged by my peers. When I toured Truman, each and every person I met was so genuine and kind. The students and faculty of Truman are all so passionate and want each student to succeed.

Why did you choose your major?

I chose my major by first deciding what I did not want to do! I was accepted into Truman as a nursing major, but after taking the introduction class my first semester, I decided that nursing wasn’t for me. I had the chance to talk to the head of the department and a few other professors about Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and I decided to switch my major! The professors at Truman helped me set up job shadowing experiences to solidify my choice and see what I will be doing in the future.

Now that you are a student, what do you like most about being a Truman student?

I knew it would be valuable going to a school with smaller class sizes, but I did not know truly how valuable this experience is. Every single one of my professors during my time at Truman has known my name. I have grown close with multiple professors and I will stop by their offices just to talk! One of my professors has a walking office hour where we join her on a walk around campus. I love running into professors in the SUB and chatting while we wait to get coffee. Since I know my professors personally, when I had an idea for a research project, I proposed the idea to a professor and I am now taking research for credit.

What piece of advice would you give to first-year students?

The best advice I can give a first-year student is to get involved! Moving into college is a very big change and it is imperative to find a support system. Students at Truman find their support system in different ways, through religious organizations (such as Campus Christian Fellowship), through Greek life, through professional organizations, through interest groups and sports teams (such as the Quidditch team) and through intramurals and classes at the Student Recreation center. Your first year at Truman is a great opportunity to try out new things and meet new people.

What is your best or favorite experience of your first year at Truman?

My favorite experience during my first year at Truman was bonding with the other people who lived on my floor in MO Hall! I loved house dinners, where we went to the dining hall together with our Student Ambassadors and talked about our weeks. My floor grew to be very close and I am still friends with everyone! We used to stay up late studying together or watching sports games in the lounge. Whenever someone needed help with a class, there was always someone you could ask for some tutoring! We used to have game nights on Friday nights and play Kahoot or card games together. Everyone would bring snacks! It was so much fun, and it really helped me adjust to life in college.

What is your favorite thing about living in Kirksville?

My favorite thing about living in Kirksville is that we live SO close to Thousand Hills State Park! Thousand Hills is a beautiful state park. I love grabbing friends and renting kayaks when the weather is warm. My friends and I will take our dogs and go on hikes when we are stressed and need a break. Thousand Hills is a great place to go running or ride a bike or go swimming! On the weekends, it is fun to bring food for a picnic or a cookout surrounded by nature.

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Emily