University News

Straight From A Student: Emily Phillips

March 28, 2018

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From the Spring 2018 issue of Western: The Magazine for Alumni of Western Illinois University

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Emily Phillips
Sophomore Exercise Science & Nutrition Major
Campus Rec employee
Mission Volunteer

Choosing Western Illinois University as the place I would spend the next four years of my education was not a hard decision. I grew up on a farm only 20 minutes away from Macomb. My mom worked at Western for 30 years, so I grew up with purple and gold in my blood. Graduating from West Prairie High School, a lot of my friends wanted to take their independence to the next level. Attending WIU was too close to home, according to a lot of my classmates, but for me, it was the perfect choice. Some of my classmates said going to Western would be like an extension of high school, because it's too close to home, but it's not that way at all. Most of my classmates who went hours away for college did not stay away for long. Four of my former classmates left their far-away colleges to come back to Western by the second semester of their freshman year.

Living at home is something a lot of college-age kids may shy away from, but it keeps me grounded and helps me further appreciate the efforts of my family. It also reminds me how much my parents are doing to support my college education. Although there are times I wish I lived away from home, I know living at home and being born and raised in "Leatherneck Country" is a blessing.

Western is more than I imagined, growing up with the school right in my backyard. I have met so many friends from other parts of Illinois and the country. I have been able to connect with new friends I have made in my major, and I have also been involved with clubs and opportunities to better myself and my experience at Western. To those students who are from the Macomb area and feel like WIU is too close to home, it really does not feel like it when you are on campus, in class, or with your new friends.

I have such a great appreciation for Western and the many friends and connections I have made here. WIU has offered me the opportunity to take a course that allows me to visit Disney World for a communications culture class. Western has also offered me a great experience as a student employee at the Campus Recreation Center. This has allowed me to meet people who are interested in exercise just like me. Meeting new people and experiencing what Western has to offer has given me the chance to make connections with such clubs on campus as the Exercise Science Student Association.

Western has changed my life and helped me to grow into a young adult, even after just one year on campus. The atmosphere has also challenged me to do more critical thinking and take into consideration ways to better today's world. With that, Western has also helped me to stand firm in what I believe and to remember we are all facing this journey of life together.

I have found Western to be the right choice for my success in such a way that I have understood the great opportunities of life and the ability to embrace challenge and be optimistic in my endeavors. I believe Western Illinois University is a college working to improve citizens as well as educate the next generation of successful people.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing