James Loy 

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast by the host and guests may or may not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Miami University. I'm a senior,

Student 

I'm about to graduate, and I've done a lot of cool things in college.

Student 

I never thought that I was going to be an intramural curler. I never thought that I was going to be the student body president.

Student 

These four years have been the biggest amount of growth I've seen in my entire life.

Student 

It's not just about the academics, but like, what kind of person you turn into, which is super cool.

Carolyn 

I have to say, my three best friends from college to this day are people from my freshman corridor in Tappan Hall.

Michaela 

Tappan. That's so sweet. I always tell people I'm like, leave the door open and sure, just be friends with everyone who's around you. That's some good advice, too. Wherever you do end up going.

Carolyn 

And. you have to remember everyone's as scared as you are that first couple of months. And so do not be afraid to reach out to anybody. I love the shared bathrooms. That was another way I met a lot of people brushing my teeth. So our freshman corridor was really tight. And Miami did a great job of scheduling tons of social get togethers and all those. I still talk to those people that I met during those social events. And then you wait till you come back for your 25 year reunion and you see them.

Michaela 

That's hilarious. Well, that's a lot about what we talk about on this podcast is just making sure you put yourself out there initially, so that obviously when you look back four years later or 25 years later, you have a cool experience to reminisce on. So today we have a super special episode. We have an alumni and also her daughter visiting Miami today, and who's potentially considering coming here. So this is Major Insight. I am Michaela, and who are you guys?

Carolyn 

I'm Carolyn Manley. I was formerly Carolyn Cerny when I was here.

Madelyn 

And I'm Madelyn. I'm her daughter. I'm a senior at Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School, and I'm looking forward to majoring in biomedical engineering next year at Miami.

Michaela 

Very cool. Okay, so where are each of you in the college journey right now? So how does this moment feel to both of you, like both being a student and a parent, and how is kind of that college search going?

Madelyn 

Yeah, so I just finished with all of my applications, and that was a little bit stressful, I would say, but I'm glad it's over now. And it was definitely an exciting process, and now I'm at the good part where I get to decide where I'm going to end up. So yeah.

Carolyn 

So I'm at the point where I'm eagerly anticipating her decision. So it's kind of scary, but exciting. At the same time, I didn't think it would be hard, as hard as it was, to cross schools off of her list, because at the time, I only applied to two schools. Now people apply from like 10 to 20 schools, and so there's so much more choice than there was when I was applying. So you got to wrap your brain around all those options, and it's hard to compare apples to apples the different schools.

Michaela 

Yeah, I always told my mom that I was almost more overwhelming to have more choices. Sometimes I wish someone could just choose for me, and that's kind of what Miami did for me, in a way. I applied to 20 schools. I was one of those people. I was on the common app every day. I'm like, well, maybe I could just do this, or we'd get a piece of mail. And my mom was like, why don't you just apply here? So I totally like, sympathize with that, because I feel like I was always applying, applying, applying. And then Miami was actually the only school I visited in person. I had visited a couple when I was, like, a freshman or sophomore. I was like, we would pass through a city and we're like, Well, should we just stop here stuff like that? But honestly, I only visited Miami and a real college visit, and I was like, All right, I'm sold.

Carolyn 

That's how they get you. Come to campus.

Michaela 

It's so beautiful. And it was everything I was looking for. I was it was, like, quaint enough, but still big enough. It was, like the perfect size. I loved, like, the aesthetic of it all the same buildings, like it was just a very neat campus. I was like, honestly, I don't want to keep looking mom.

Carolyn 

Yeah, I was saying the red brick. No matter how long you've been gone, if you come back, you still have, like, the same sense of home as when you left, because it's still the same feeling,

Michaela 

Totally and even looking back on old photos, is the same feeling. I'm like, Oh, it looked the same, like everyone has had the same experience.

Carolyn 

Madeline's so tired of walking around the last two days, and I keep saying, Well, this used to be this, or this used to be this.

Michaela 

It's a trip down memory lane. Well, speaking of that, I guess do you have any like memories or moments that stand out to you from your college experience that kind of maybe you want Madeline to also experience.

Carolyn 

So I actually came here twice. Okay, so I graduated in 96 I was a Mass Comm major with an emphasis in media production, and then I graduated in 2001 With my MBA from here. So that was a two year long program at the time, and I will say my when I was here for my MBA, I was determined to go to Luxembourg because I had not done it as an undergraduate, and I-- because I didn't want to leave my friends is honestly why I did not do it when I was an undergraduate. But I knew for sure I wanted to go. So I spent a summer during between the two years of my MBA over there, and that was like a life changing experience.

Michaela 

 You have come to the right place. I love Luxembourg. It's my favorite thing to talk about.

Carolyn 

Yeah, I mean, it just the fact that the location of Luxembourg that you can go to like, eight different countries within a train ride, the fact that you're there with other students and other professors. So it's not like you know you're just going with three or four people to a new country. You have the support system of Miami built into the experience. And that was, I totally told her, that was one of the huge selling points of Miami, to me, that you can go over there, still get all the same credits and have an experience like that.

Michaela 

I say that all the time, and I think I wrote about this that Mutek does such a great job like assimilating you into the culture over there too, how you said you're not alone. There's directors and professors and an entire program that helps you, like, move through this new culture, and obviously, 150 other students. But I am not joking. An hour ago in my class, and a girl was like, I'm going to Luxembourg next semester. And I was like, what? Like, my head whoops around, because, like, it was the best time of my life. And it's almost like it doesn't feel like college. It feels like kind of its own entity. It is so transformative. So I definitely agree with your mom on that, that that should be a selling point for you. Absolutely. Is that something you'd be interested in?

Madelyn 

Yeah, definitely. And especially since I'm majoring in an engineering major, I think I was a little bit nervous that I wouldn't be able to study abroad just because of, like, the course rigor, and fitting in all my classes. But what I've heard is you could take your Miami Plan credits at Luxembourg so that you can still do that while studying like a more intensive major.

Michaela 

Yeah. And I think the cool thing about having an alumni mom is also that you have a little bit more guidance. Like, I did not know Luxembourg was an option even, I think, until my sophomore year. So then when I heard of that, I was like, shoot, I should have taken that class abroad. I should have taken that class abroad. It ended up working out. But I think just having that in your vision for your college experience is already so incredibly helpful, because you can go in your freshman year first semester and be like, hey, I want to study abroad in Luxembourg this semester. So what can you do to help me get there? So like, it's cool to already have, like, that advice going in, I feel like.

Carolyn 

And you realize as you get older that you just don't have the time for that once you start a job. Yeah. So now is the time.

Michaela 

Absolutely I know. So what are you, I guess, looking for in your college experience? Like, what are you most excited for? What are maybe some of your nerves? Your nerves that you are expecting going in just in general, like, kind of, for your college experience.

Madelyn 

Something I've heard a lot about is definitely the dorm experience. I'm looking forward to, like, living with my friends, seeing them on a daily basis, whereas right now, I might see my friends at school, and then outside of that, I have to plan, like, when we're going to get together. But you know, you can just walk across the hall and see your best friend. So I'm looking forward to that definitely, maybe just being able to choose which classes you want to take. Yeah, definitely, I would say my strong suit is not English. So hopefully I'll be able to take like, instead of a writing class, I'll be able to take, like, a writing about biology class or something like that.

Michaela 

Yeah, I think the idea of choice generally is so huge in college, in like, the living situation, in your class situation, what time you want to take your classes, when you want to go hang out with your friends? Like, no offense to mom, but you can do everything without permission, which was so fun to me my first day. Like, I was like, Oh my gosh, I could just walk out of my dorm and go somewhere, or, like, go hang out with my friends. It's very cool. Like, I feel like I made the mistake my first semester of making all my classes, like, 115 or later, which don't do that. If I could advise someone now, because I was such a sleeper inner in high school, that I was like, No, I want all my classes to be from one to six, I don't but that does not do anything good for your productivity, so I don't recommend, however, it's you can do that if you choose to do that. So I think that is definitely like something valid to be excited about.

Carolyn 

I have to say I was a morning person, so I was one of those crazy people that always wanted the 8am. But I like getting them out of the way and then having the rest of my day free.

Michaela 

Now, though that's exactly how I am funny. It's how you change. Like, I was like, Are there any 830 journalism classes? Because I'm finishing up my major this semester, and I'm like, I would kill to have, like, an 830 to a one schedule now. So it's funny how I've, like, kind of transformed in that regard. I'm like. My gosh, I would never want that. Now, I had a 425, class my freshman year, and it was brutal. I was always, like, falling asleep, yeah, so I would definitely say that is something that's funny. Now that I look back, I'm like, Oh my gosh, I search for 830s now.

Carolyn 

And then you also have to make sure you're matching up with your roommate too.

Michaela 

Exactly well. And I live with 13 girls this year, but whenever, like, more than two girls are hanging out, I'm like, wish I was home right now. So it's funny, because you're like, I have FOMO. Either way.

Michaela 

That's something to be excited about, too is like your living situation, and yeah, have you looked into like, finding a roommate at all or - ?

Madelyn 

No, not yet, but I've heard a lot about the process, like assigning a random roommate through, like a form or whatever. Or some people will will meet their roommate and live with someone that they already know.

Michaela 

I know. I found mine through, like a mutual connection. But most people, I feel like, find them on Instagram now, like in the DMs. Like "hi, do you want to be my roommate"

Madelyn 

It does seem a little intimidating to post yourself on there.

Michaela 

No, I agree. It's also, it's kind of like speed dating. That's what we always used to call it, like we were DMing these girls. Like, hi, I like to go to bed, late, and I really like to go to the gym, or whatever it might be. And so it is funny, you have to really, like, put yourself out there and start using these describers so that you could find someone kind of compatible with your lifestyle. But I would say it's definitely worth it, even if the amount of times we go back now and I'm like, Oh my gosh, I was DMing that girl freshman year. Like, now it's cool that you could go up to them be like, oh my gosh, I think this is you. So yeah, I definitely, I would recommend posting if that's an option.

Carolyn 

My roommate and I wrote letters to each other. But that's how, and I had never seen her until she showed up in our room.

Michaela 

Yeah. How did you know that she was going there?

Carolyn 

So the way they used to do the random surveys back then, too. So you know, what time you go to bed, what time you wake up. Do you like it noisy? Do you like, you know-- how messy are you? And it worked out really well. But before we got to know each other, you know, we wrote maybe, like, four letters back and forth to each other.

Michaela 

I mean, it's the same thing though, when you think about it.

Carolyn 

It really is. Just Instagram on paper.

Michaela 

Yes, exactly. Oh my gosh. Okay, so I guess kind of similar to that, and what you're excited for a big part of college is gaining independence. And so Madeline, how do you hope this will play out in your own college experience? And how do you hope to support her? How do you see a parent's role in this newfound independence?

Madelyn 

Definitely, like taking care of yourself on your own is going to be part of that, like doing my own laundry, making sure I wake up on time, but that's stuff that I would say I already do, so also not having my mom there, so I would need to call her if I had an issue, but I could just hopefully figure it out on my own.

Carolyn 

Yeah, I think really, you realize that your friends become your family in a large sense, I have to say, I'm really not too worried about her going off. And within this last year, I've really seen her mature, and just seeing here her this weekend at the scholar showcase, interacting with professors, interacting with administrators and other prospective students here, I don't have anything that I'm really worried about, except for how messy she is with her future roommate. No, that's, that's, that's hard to adjust to if you've never shared a room. So growing up, I shared a room with my sister, so I knew what to expect going in. But if you've never shared a room with someone that can be tough.

Michaela 

It's a wake up call, for sure. And me and my roommate were kind of similar. I shared a room with my sister, but I was so messy still, and my sister is like, you cannot treat a roommate like this, like this. You got to get it together. Like we had, like a line in our childhood bedroom, like, I couldn't have any of my stuff. We had her tape on the floor too. Yeah. And like my I would have piles and piles of clothes, or whatever. She's like you when you go to college, it cannot be like this. So it definitely is kind of a learning curve. But you also you respect their space so much that it is not an issue. Like you do learn to change your habits a little bit like, Okay, I'm gonna do my laundry, I guess so. Yeah, I would say that that was a worry for my parents too. Like, Michaela, you can't do this at school. I'm like, I know. And the alarm thing was huge for me. Oh my gosh, I still can't get up to alarms. So I do rely on my roommates still for that. Today, I was like, I have a 10:05 guys if I'm not downstairs by 930 something is wrong. You have to come shake me up. It is funny, like they were very concerned about that, and I was like, hopefully your friends become your family.

Carolyn 

Yeah, they do. They'll step in and take over some of those roles.

Michaela 

Yeah, but I think you're gonna be just fine, obviously. And senior year is a lot of preparation,

Carolyn 

Yes, yeah, this whole process of having to be responsible for so much additional stuff, other than just school work, really shows me that, like, she's got this.

Michaela 

Yeah, absolutely. And like, even, like, I feel like college applications are so grueling too, and like, time consuming, and you have to be on your time management skills for that part of it, too.

Madelyn 

I've definitely learned a lot from that.

Michaela 

Yeah, right. So it's very interesting. And like you said, on the visits, you kind of get a little bit of a taste. So yeah, I would say senior year was when I was really eye opened. I was like, Okay, I'm really going out and doing this, but it'll be worth it once you're here for sure. Okay, so I think a lot of fears that students have about college in general is about fitting in. So how are you thinking about friendships and finding your place on campus? Is it something you're thinking about a lot, or, like something you're nervous about? And looking back, how did that happen for you in college?

Madelyn 

So I will say I am a little bit nervous, just because I'm someone who has pretty much a close friend group, not too many friends, but a lot of close friends. So and these are people that I've been friends with for 10 plus years that I met, maybe even in like, middle school. So knowing completely no one, and trying to find your own people, find spaces where you can meet new people, I think is something that might be a little bit difficult for me, but definitely something I'm excited for. And I know, like all the tips and tricks, like leave your door open. I've heard a lot about that. Yeah, and I'm hoping to join, like, a lot of groups, like, I want to join one of Miami's choirs. I've heard, like, there's a Miami choral collective where there's professors and just people from the Miami community that join also. So I think I can meet a lot of people by joining groups like that, but it is something I'm thinking about, but not too nervous about, just knowing who I am as a person, and I think I'll be able to put myself out there.

Carolyn 

Yeah. So I have to say clubs are great. The thing I advised her is there are very simple ways to just meet people when you show up, you know, as you meet people, you get their phone number. If you're going to a meal, you know, if you're going to breakfast one day, text a group of 10 people and say, hey, I'm headed to, you know, breakfast at nine tomorrow. If anybody wants come with me or go to the gym, invite people to the gym, or brushing your teeth and talking to the person next to you, just being present in the moment with the people around you. You never know. You know they may end up being one of your best friends. So I think just keeping it real simple and being open to just meeting everyone. I mean, if there are so many opportunities that Miami gives you that if you just go take those opportunities, you're bound to make friends.

Michaela 

Yeah, absolutely. And I feel like keeping your expectations low helps a ton. It's not always about like, I need to, okay, I need to join this club, and then I need to become an exec member, and then I think maybe through that, I will find like, it's just, like, really allowing it to kind of happen to you, as opposed to, like forcing something. And looking back now, me and that same roommate I was talking about, she's the lead singer of a band now, and she's in an acapella group that she was music director for, and I was the president of my sorority, and, like all things that we would have never predicted for ourselves, but it is just because we kind of were so open to the idea of that. And so I would say that's my biggest piece of advice, is like, being super open immediately when you get to school. Because, like, I didn't even want to go through recruitment, but I just did because my roommate was doing it. I was like, why not? And then she got invited to play a gig for this band, and now she joined it. So I think it's just really like, as you said, Miami does have so many, so many opportunities for you to follow. So it's really like being very open and just saying yes. And a lot of times, most of my friends from freshman year were in my classes, actually, and I would sit down and everyone's on their phones, like, obviously, I know that's a huge thing now, and so that's also something I feel like that might be different from generation to generation. Is that, like, we have these constant, like, distracting devices, and so I've tried to be especially cognizant this year when I walk into class to knock on my phone and to like, strike up a conversation, which I'd say, like, helps a lot too, because obviously it's easy to just, like, start scrolling. But even today, a girl, like, had just gotten engaged, so I asked a question about that. I'm like, oh my gosh, that's so cool. And she's like, thank you for asking about that. So it's-it's about, like, those little interactions, yeah, just being present.

Carolyn 

Like I was telling Madelyn, email was just becoming a thing when I was-- when I was here as an undergraduate at Miami, and I distinctly remember sitting in the computer lab, and my friend and I were, like, just trying it out on each other. And I said, this is never going to catch on, because I'm like, why would this happen? When you could just call someone. So it's just that all the distractions of the internet or, you know, Instagram and Netflix, they're all going to be there four years from now. You really have to be present in the moment. You know, everyone's eating three meals a day. So go with your friends. I don't think there was a single meal at Miami, maybe one or two that I ate by myself, because everyone's got to eat or everyone's got to do their laundry. Talk to the person in the laundry room. Talk to the person getting your mail next to you, you know, talk to the person in the common room and just being present instead of, like you said, always being on your phone, yeah, you're bound to meet your people, as long as it's a numbers game, get out there and introduce yourself to 100 people and you got five friends.

Michaela 

Yeah. Statistically, you will make some friends. And I think being extroverted and bold, while that's not in everyone's like, innate personality type, I would say, like, 20 seconds it takes to say hello to someone at all might, like, be a little bit anxiety inducing. It is so so worth it. Like, I remember my roommate was like, oh my gosh, Michaela, you're so you're so comfortable being yourself. And I was like, I'm not really, I'm just, you know, kind of faking it and hoping it lands, you know, and it did, and we have such a strong friend group from that freshman year. Also just saw them all for a birthday a couple nights ago, and they're like, oh my god, remember when you asked us if you could have our ramen? And I was like, I didn't really even want your ramen, but it was an opportunity to talk.

Carolyn 

So yeah, I definitely sometimes you got a fake and that's okay, too, or you get a really extroverted friend and you hang out with them.

Michaela 

Yes, that helps, still helps to do the work, too. So that was the thing. So, yeah, I definitely would say it is, like, everything's pretty simple. You just kind of got to do it. So I guess beyond, like academics or careers, what do you hope to get out of the college experience at the end of it all, like when you're looking back four years later, what do you kind of hope has happened for you?

Madelyn 

I definitely think. I hope to make lifelong friends, like my mom always talks about her friends that she made at Miami, sorority sisters or like her roommates. And I also hope to become a more polished person, like in my talking, because my mom tells me that Miami always pumps out these polished speakers, like especially with the business program, who know how to lead a group of people, and so just that aspect of, like my professional life, I want to be able to talk to people and sound like I know what I'm doing, and also just making sure I'm involved and purposely choosing opportunities where I put myself out there, like you said, you don't really know what's going to happen. You'll start to be involved in one thing, and that could turn into like a leadership position or something else. So I think just one thing leads to another, where hopefully I have all these activities and cool things that that I've been involved in, and I can look back on and say that I'm so proud of myself that I put myself out there enjoying these things.

Michaela 

Yeah, absolutely. Is there anything in high school right now that you're a part of that you're kind of looking forward to maybe continuing in college?

Madelyn 

I during my interview, I was actually told that there's a board game club here--

Michaela 

 I didn't know that. The more you know.

Madelyn 

So I definitely want to join that.

Michaela 

Yeah, every time I'm scrolling on the hub, it's like 800 clubs. I'm like, Oh my gosh, there's something for everyone.

Madelyn 

Yeah, the club fair. Sounds cool to just see what's out there.

Michaela 

Oh my gosh, no. Mega fair. I will say, if you do end up coming to Miami, absolutely go to that. Oh, totally. I think you could bring friends to because I remember, I was like, Who wants to go to mega fair? I was shouting down the hall and that. We were like, that's how we got involved in nearly everything that first year. Granted, I'm not involved in like 90% of it now--

Carolyn 

But that's okay. You tried for the time.

Michaela 

Yeah, and I will say that was so helpful, because you're like, oh my gosh, there's so much to be offered. And then even if you're just on like, email lists of things, like, if you want to pop into a meeting once a month, that sort of thing, I definitely say, like, hit up mega fair, because you will be like, Wow, I can join this and this and skiing club and water skiing, horseback riding. There's so much like to do here. So I will say they reminds me of that pitch perfect scene. Have you seen Pitch Perfect when they're like, all the acapella groups are singing like, oh, this college fantasy is, like, real life.

Madelyn 

 Yeah. We got to see the men's glee club last night.

Michaela 

That's awesome. Yeah, so I would definitely say that that is something to do. Would be to go to mega fair. And I feel like you have all the great advice already from your mom, so it's gonna be great.

Michaela 

If you want to share maybe one piece of advice or reassurance with other students and parents who are sitting right where you are now, what would it be so hopefully from both of you, if you have anything to say to our listeners?

Madelyn 

I think just that everything's going to turn out all right, like, like we were talking about earlier. You have all these options, and it might be hard to decide because you have so many good options, but hopefully you'll be able to narrow down the list, and you are going to end up at college eventually. So no matter where you end up, if you had a good list to start with, you're going. To be happy. And then also, don't be so stressed out about narrowing it down, because there are some details that I didn't even think of, like, I don't know, trying the food or like making sure that to look like within your program or your major what programs are available. So don't get so caught up in the details to start with, just focus on building a good list of schools where you would be happy, and then it'll all work out at the end.

Carolyn 

Yeah, and I would say my piece of advice for people going through this would be to start a little bit earlier, because the one thing I did not anticipate is how hard it would be to visit all the colleges and her, I mean, her list nowadays is not that big. It's only nine colleges long. But trying to get there when you have a busy high schooler and I have two younger kids, it is really hard to go there, and especially go when the students are in session, yeah, so like when we visited over the summer. I think it was in August, we visited, and no students were here. I'm like, it's a totally different vibe. So today, yeah, and so I would have started like, if I would have taken advantage, I think of friends taking their kids to colleges. If one of her friends was visiting somewhere, I'd be like, hey, can you take Madelyn along with you, because getting all those visits in is tough. Yeah, I know.

Michaela 

Do you think it's different? Sorry, I'm just intrigued because, like you said that you have two younger kids. Do you think it's different going through this, like the for the first time? Do you think there's a lot you're learning--

Carolyn 

Like it's gonna be a piece of cake the second time around. There is just so- so Madelyn kind of threw me a curve ball, because I always thought she was going to study math. She loved math, and then she had an internship over the summer at the Cleveland Clinic where she got exposed to the medical background more. So, kind of at the last minute, she threw biomedical engineering in there, or wasn't the last minute, but it was late in the application process, I guess. And I did not know anything about engineering. I didn't know about a bed accredited engineering. I didn't know obviously you have to have labs for biomedical engineering. So I there was just so many things I had not anticipated about, like, a specific major, I came in undecided, which is, you know, that's another big change. I was undecided until I was a junior, and like I was saying I'd probably still be undecided today, because I've changed my mind so many times, but it's just the anticipation of, like, my other two kids going through it, I think timeline wise, and also I realize you have to keep track of the deadlines. That's a big aspect of it too, which I didn't even realize how much there was to keep track of until I went through the process with her. So that's something I feel like it's going to be a piece of cake for my other two kids.

Michaela 

Well, because we always have this funny memory, me, my roommate, she's the first of four, and I'm the third, okay, big difference. And so my parents came in. My older sister, Madeline, went to Xavier in Cincinnati, okay? And my dad showed up, and, you know, they're like, we've been through this before, and my roommate's dad's like, feverishly building all this furniture, and of her mom's like, are you good? All right, we'll see you. See, you on family weekend. I'm like, This is so different. And you know, my roommate, Lydia's so nervous, and she's, I'm like, well, Madeleine told me that it's pretty fine, and the first week's a little scary, but so it's just, it's such a different experience. So I think being the oldest is such like, I don't know you're just kind of the trailblazer for the rest of Yeah, the family, yeah.

Carolyn 

And I was not only the third kid, but I was the third kid going to Miami. Oh, so, like, my parents had it down when I came here.

Michaela 

Yeah, I know that's funny. So have you, like, always wanted to go to Miami, like, your whole life, pretty much, or-

Carolyn 

I've had it in my head, yeah, definitely. Yeah. Because I'm a Miami merger, too, and both of my siblings went to Miami and, like, three aunts and uncles. So she's heard so many stories, yeah.

Michaela 

And I feel like everyone who's been here, like, loves it. Like, I talk about that with my family all the time. I'm like, I've never met an alumni that isn't, like, I love Miami so much, and it feels like home.

Carolyn 

Yeah, it feels like home. I mean, I when I come back here, it's kind of sad, but I almost feel like I'm back in my like, 21 year old--

Michaela 

Totally, yeah, I know. And we can't even believe we're graduating. My house keeps talking about it, but I'm like, I can't believe we're gonna be the ones like, back when.

Carolyn 

Remember when? So this summer is my 30 year reunion, which I already have it booked. I got my room at the Hampton Inn. Yeah, and so me and my three corridor mates from Tappan Hall are all going to be here in June for our 30 year reunion, and we just slip right back into our old roles.

Michaela 

Yeah. Yeah, and like, the dynamic never changes. I feel, I know that is totally going to be awesome. It's sweet because we have, I have so many friends whose parents went to Miami, and it like, it's yeah, it's just like a strong network of individuals, yeah, graduated, and then obviously encourages their children to do the same thing. So I'm so excited for you. I hope, I mean, everything will work out. I always said to my parents, like, wherever I go, I'll make it work. And I feel like that's probably the same for you, like you have the capacity and the skills and obviously everything you've been set up with your whole life to have a phenomenal college experience. So I'm so jealous of you. I describe it, it has been like the best four years of my life. So I can only hope the same for you. And thank you guys so much for coming. It's been so fun.

Michaela 

We want to thank both Carolyn and Madeline Manley for joining us to talk about both sides of the college journey, from the excitement of starting out to all the ways community and connection shape the experience long after graduation. If you are interested in visiting Miami University at our campus in Oxford, Ohio, check out Miami oh.edu/visit, and for more college stories, advice and inspiration, many more episodes of major insight are available wherever podcasts are found.