My freshman year, the start of a return to normalcy, was filled with many uncertainties. What major did I want to pursue? What classes should I take? Who should I talk to in order to begin? Thankfully, TU had started something new just a year before I entered college: Student Success Coaches. It was a new concept being tested out by the university on how to help students begin their college journey. Each freshman was assigned one coach, similar to a “friendly advisor” of some sorts, and I got a lady named Nadia. 
I didn’t know what to expect when I scheduled my first appointment, but those feelings of uncertainty came to an end when I entered the Zoom room. “Hey Athaaan!” she exclaimed as I joined the room (well, it didn’t go like that. The beginning was more like “now, how do you pronounce your name, is it Athan (ah-then) or Athan (like Nathan without the N)?” and then it was the usual response of “oh it’s Athan (Nathan) haha” and then the typical “oh I like that name, it’s very distinct” and then my final intro response of “oh I knowww, my mother named me that way and it’s very fun to meet new people”). Anywho, she happily welcomed me into the virtual meeting place, both backgrounds showing our home environment, and we began with the first item on the to-do list (orientation registration, schedule meetings with academic advisors, financial duties, etc.) Once all those boring things were completed, we just chit chatted for a while talking about general life things, how life was at home, and exciting plans in the near future. But throughout the whole conversation, whether we were talking about which major I should pursue or the two demon dogs that live with me (chihuahua-mixes), Nadia was extremely positive, joyful, and caring. Rather than taking my first step into college life, she made me feel welcomed and ecstatic to be able to attend TU, and it led to my first giant leap into the college community, and I enjoy every moment of it.