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As the Class of 2030 arrives on campus and begins their four years at ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ, current ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ students offer their advice to the incoming class.

ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ will welcome more than 1,600 new students for the 2026-27 academic year, with the Class of 2030 moving to campus on Friday, Aug. 21.

Parker Sterling ’28

Major(s): Biology and History
²Ñ¾±²Ô´Ç°ù²õ:ÌýChemistry, Neuroscience, and Peace and Conflict Studies
Hometown: Randleman, North Carolina
Campus Involvement: Phoenix Racing Team (Business Lead), Residence Life (Senior RA), Center for Leadership (Leadership Ambassador), Glen Raven Biomechanics Lab (Lab Assistant)

Why did you choose ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ?

“I chose ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ because I knew after the first tour that I couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else. I loved being able to have majors across disciplines, the campus, the dorms and all of the people I met.”

What did you wish you knew as a first-year student?

“I wish I knew how common it is to gain and lose friends in the first year. Everyone is discovering who they are and who they want to be, so it may take a while to find friends that you can rely on.”

What advice do you have for the incoming ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ Class of 2030?

“Take every opportunity that presents itself; you never know who you will meet or what doors it will open.”

What surprised you most about college?

“I was most surprised by the bonds I’ve built with faculty and staff. I didn’t have a high school teacher I felt was truly a mentor, but ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ has given me so many people that I feel confident going to for advice.”

What is your favorite part about ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ?

“My favorite part about ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ is the people. I am forever grateful to the amazing friends who have supported me and cared about me to no end. I don’t want to imagine what college would be like without them.”

Ari Verinder ’28

Major(s): Biology (Concentration: Biotechnology/Molecular Biotechnology)
²Ñ¾±²Ô´Ç°ù²õ:ÌýChemistry and Food Studies
Hometown: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Campus Involvement: Residence Life, Club Climbing and The Writing Center

Why did you choose ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ?

What did you wish you knew as a first-year student?

“I wish I had known to get more involved in my specific interests on campus sooner. There really is something for everybody at ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ; you just have to find it, get involved, and, best of all, enjoy it!”

What advice do you have for the incoming ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ Class of 2030?

What surprised you most about college?

What is your favorite part about ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ?

“Don’t be afraid to meet new people. ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ is small enough that it’s easy to just stick with who and what you already know, so push yourself outside of your comfort zone.”

-Ari Verinder ’28

Ella Stewart ’27

Major(s): Dance Performance & Choreography, English (Concentration in Creative Writing)
Hometown: Columbia, South Carolina
Campus Involvement: Student Union Board (Brand Engagement Chair), New Student Orientation (Student Coordinator), Kappa Delta member and The Writing Center.

Why did you choose ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ?

“I chose ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ because I knew I wanted to make close connections with my professors and classmates, which made the small class sizes very appealing, and ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ has a strong Performing Arts department, which aligns with my future career goals of being a professional dancer. I also knew I wanted to study abroad and ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ offers so many opportunities to study around the world. Additionally, I was drawn to the College Fellows program, which is a scholarship program where I conduct a research project within my major throughout my time at ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ.”

What did you wish you knew as a first-year student?

“I wish I had known that not every moment of college is going to be absolutely perfect. It’s easy to have high expectations that everything will go smoothly all the time, and while there will be plenty of great experiences and memories, there will also be challenges. It’s completely normal to struggle sometimes, and you shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.”

What advice do you have for the incoming ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ Class of 2030?

“My biggest piece of advice is to put yourself out there! I made my closest friends at ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ by just inviting myself to hang out with them. It can feel awkward and scary at first to ask people to hang out with you, but it really makes a difference. If there is someone in your class who you think you’d get along with, ask them to lunch or coffee! You can also meet people by getting involved in clubs and organizations, so sign up for what interests you. Getting involved helped me find my place on campus, so be open to trying everything, because that is how you can find your community.”

What surprised you most about college?

“I was most surprised by the amount of independence and freedom I suddenly had. It can be hard to adjust to being away from your family and the comfort of home, but you also start learning how to manage your own time and responsibilities. My schedule looked a lot different than it did in high school, and I became the one in charge of how to spend my time. This shift surprised me at first, but overall it helped me grow into my independence and become more confident doing things on my own.”

What is your favorite part about ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ?

“My favorite part about ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ is the people I’ve met through my majors and leadership experiences, especially the mentors who have supported me along the way. The staff and faculty here are so kind and encouraging to each individual student, and their guidance has helped me grow in my academics and in my leadership. ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ has given me a tight-knit community of peers and mentors I can rely on, and I have met so many people who have shaped me into who I am today.”

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Lealand Oakes ’27

Major(s): Psychology
Hometown: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Campus Involvement: New Student Programs, Women’s Club Rugby
Sigma Kappa, ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ 1010 Peer Educator, Psi Chi and Psychology Honor Society

Why did you choose ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ?

“I chose ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ because they genuinely care about every student, even if they haven’t fully invested in ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ yet. They put so much care into just the admissions process and first-year experience to ensure people feel cared about and seen. Of course, it doesn’t stop there; professors are always there to help and support their students, get to know them beyond the surface level, and truly want to see them succeed.”

What did you wish you knew as a first-year student?

“I wish I knew that sometimes the hard parts of transitioning to college don’t hit you immediately. They look different for everyone and can range anywhere from after the first month has passed to the start of the second semester and beyond. Everyone has their own experiences, so it is important to know your resources on campus and have people you can go to when those bumps in the road happen.”

What advice do you have for the incoming ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ Class of 2030?

“Get out of your room, do new things, be involved. This can look different for everyone, but it’s so helpful for finding your people in this new chapter. I would also say that taking care of yourself is so important. Holistic wellness goes a long way in college. If you are taking care of one aspect of wellness that can bleed into another area. Do things that make you happy, take care of your body and use your resources.”

What surprised you most about college?

“I was surprised that I was still able to get the same support in class and out of class that I had the opportunity to receive in high school. I was worried that as soon as I got to college, everything would be on me. I can say with full confidence that I have not needed to shoulder everything all on my own. ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ has so many resources that cover a wide range of aspects of college life.”

What is your favorite part about ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ?

“My favorite part about ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ is that there are so many people from so many different places. Coming to ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ, I didn’t really know many people, and I am so happy that was the case. It was nerve-racking for sure, but it meant that I have learned so much and met so many people I wouldn’t have met otherwise.”