By Mason Griffin / Staff Writer

From the ups to the downs, four Missouri Valley College freshmen reflected on their first year of college—what they loved, what they’d rather forget, and whether they’re ready to do it all again.

Dane Lynch said his freshman year was mostly a low point. The classes were a big adjustment from high school, and the learning curve was steep. Still, he said he will return to Missouri Valley next year.

Anthony Sterling experienced both highs and lows. One of the low points came when the football team brought in a new coaching staff, which caused him to lose his passion for the sport. On the bright side, he made many new friends on campus. Even though he had a few good moments, Sterling said he won’t be returning to Missouri Valley College next year.

Jayadarshan Kamalanathan also described his freshman year as a mix of highs and lows. His biggest challenge was adjusting to life in Missouri after growing up in the big city of Edmonton in Alberta, Canada. Meeting new people helped balance things out, and he plans to return to Missouri Valley next year.

Jentry Pendergraft said his first year had many highs and only a few lows. He formed strong bonds with his teammates on both the football and lacrosse teams. The only downside, he said, was the boredom he felt after the football season ended. He confirmed that he’ll be coming back next year.

For these freshmen, the first year of college brought its share of challenges and rewards—setting the stage for the decisions they made about what comes next.