Name: Christopher Cox

Classification: Sophomore

Major: Journalism and mass communication.

Where are you from?: Rosemount, Minn.

What was your favorite part of your first year at Iowa State?: Living in the dorms. Dorm life can be amazing, if you let it be.I love always being around people, being up until 2 a.m., hanging in the hall and talking. Dorm life is definitely my highlight.

What were some challenges you faced your first year at Iowa State?: The most challenging part of my first year was getting used to a full classload and working. Having to work more than the amount of time I spend in class made my weeks full, yet challenging. But that’s not to say challenges are bad. It really taught me time management, which is always useful.

What is some advice you would give new ISU students?: Do your homework. Pay attention in class. Use a planner, calendar or notebook to keep track of when things are due or when you have appointments. It will be your best thing, because remembering about a midterm paper at 11:30 the night before it’s due is no fun. Get involved with something. Join a club, church group, or any kind of organization with students or people in the community. Take advantage of movie nights at the MU. Use the bowling alley. Go Campaniling if you can. At the very least, just sit on the benches and look at the swans swim across the lake some night, with the sun reflecting off the smooth, glassy surface. Just make sure you do something, with someone at some place at some time. You fill in the blanks.

Most of all, don’t let yourself get pressured. Whether you’re feeling stress from school, work or anything else, just realize you can’t do everything. You will fail. That’s part of life. Make sure that you can learn something from it and work to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Most of all, have fun and make friends that will last a lifetime.