First Year Experience

Ruth Chirwa, carrying a young and bright vibrancy about her, walked through the doors of Northrise following in the footsteps of friends before her, ready to experience something different. Admitting that she was taken aback by the infrastructure, she insists that the sense of family and community she has felt within the first half of her semester continues to amaze and challenge her all at once.

It took Ruth nearly a year from hearing about Northrise to making the application, all the while being encouraged by both friends and some Northrise staff she knew. When asked what truly sealed the deal for her, she said the fact that she knew she would not have to wait in anxiety to find out if she would be given the opportunity to further her education was a huge factor. Like many other students, she acknowledges that the doors of Northrise University are always open to those who wish to learn, giving opportunities to those who will seize them and make the best of them.

The best way Ruth could describe her very first week within the school environment was to simply call it “awesome.” The First Year Student Orientation, which ran from the 30th of January, 2017 to the 3rd of February, 2017, was a jam-packed week full of activities and sessions aimed at familiarizing freshmen students with the Northrise schedule and polices. Describing the week as eventful and entertaining, it is evident that the effort did not go unappreciated with Ruth, who quickly plugged into the program and was gracious enough to share her love of music and song on the final day of orientation.

Looking back at orientation week, Ruth very honestly wishes the “Introduction to University Studies” weeklong seminar had come earlier, it being extremely insightful and helpful to her. Looking forward, she hopes to practice the effective tools she was given in the first week and produce excellent grades worthy of her determined spirit.

In the next three years of her stay at NU, Ruth is hoping to make connections that will benefit her in the future, both socially and in her career. She is confident that with the standard already set by previous graduates from Northrise, most students will do well and forge useful lasting networks. In addition, she is sure that her time at Northrise, used positively, will massively help expand her outlook on life. Ruth feels geared for the Northrise journey!

Written by: Kabwe Kamina – 4th Year Law Student