Spring semester check-in with some Vandals

As UI students head into the spring semester, they share enthusiasm for classes and friends as well as their worries for the future

Students socialize in the Eatery | Cal Torres | Argonaut

The new semester has united Vandals across disciplines, years and nationalities by providing a fresh start and an opportunity for reflection. In the wake of the new year, students have expressed excitement and gratitude for their classes, friends and new opportunities. They have also voiced concerns over time management and procrastination, scheduling and housing.  

Students particularly were inclined to talk about academics. “It’s just a matter of keeping up with the [homework in my classes],” said Justin Carney, a freshman biological engineering major. “[It’s] just a matter of buckle down, get through it, try not to die of a caffeine overdose.” Carney looks forward to running a D&D campaign and continuing to play Magic: The Gathering with friends.  

Joseph Muñoz, a freshman mechanical engineering major, reflected those sentiments. “The time management thing is probably going to be the toughest for me… I have four engineering classes [on] Monday, Wednesday, Friday… but I feel like I could still do it. It’ll take some time to get used to it.”  

“If I have free time, I’m probably doing homework or me time,” he added. In the new semester, he aims to not procrastinate so much.  

Students also stressed that they were up to the challenge. “[I’m] looking forward to…  

doing these classes because they’re fun classes!” said Ethan King, a freshman management information systems major, who also highlighted the upcoming career fair and the hopes of getting an internship by attending and putting himself out there. 

“We’ll see what people need and then I’ll go from there,” King said, when asked what he’d like to land an internship in. He mentioned accounting and information technology as potential fields of interest.  

Jenessa Norcini, a junior majoring in virtual technology and design, praised the time she’s spent with the College of Art & Architecture. “It’s been really great,” she said. “I really enjoy it, what I’m learning. It’s been a really good experience for me, getting to have experience with design, but also working with people… I’m excited to spend more time with people, [and]… getting to know my professors as well.” Norcini expressed gratefulness for the time she has spent with her friends, many of whom are seniors at UI.  

Leika Devi, an international freshman economics major, also looked forward to making friends. “My friend and I made a promise that by the end of the semester we should have a huge group of friends, so I’m looking forward to that.”  

Devi notes she is not worried about accomplishing this goal, as she’s quite social. However, like others, she wishes to do well in school. “I have never been to university, so things are a bit exciting. Things are new, new things are exciting. But I’ve been nervous because I cannot afford to do bad… I think my strategy would be to not get lost [in the work]… I don’t want to forget my goal, because if I do, then I’m like, ‘oh, I do not need to study, I can just rest.’ It needs to be on my mind 24/7.” 

Students’ goals in the current semester often included striking a balance between academia and social life. Devi, for instance, noted that she’d gotten sick after overexerting herself while trying to make the most out of college. Norcini said that she would like to budget her time differently.  

“I spend so much time worrying that it’s like, you know, doing okay on something isn’t going to be the end of the world. Especially in college,” Norcini said. “For me it’s like, ‘if I don’t get an A in everything, that’s fine. If I don’t get an A on every assignment, that’s fine.’ It’s like, I want to make sure that I’m using my time in a way that I’ll be like ‘I’m happy with my decision.’” 

Students also had very practical worries. Norcini has begun to worry about her housing situation in the fall 2025 semester. “I used to just… renew [my housing contract], it’s good, it’s great. But now it’s kind of that… stressful situation of ‘I don’t know where I’m going to be living–I hope I’ll know, I’ll have somewhere, but I don’t really know.’”  

King, meanwhile, stated that he would like to figure out his schedule earlier in order to avoid taking early classes.   

Students’ hopes and worries, though far-reaching, ultimately balanced out into a general optimism. “I’m pretty excited for a lot this semester,” Norcini emphasized. “I’m really glad to be here, and I’m like, ‘Yes, I’m back! I can do things!’” 

Cal Torres can be reached at arg-life@uidaho.edu. 

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