At NIU, many of us college kids are new to the world of adulting. Our childhood memories are still pretty fresh, and we’re figuring out how to manage social relationships, bills, work commitments and less time for carefree play. 

We’re also relishing in the benefits that come with growing up. In fact, campus’ freshmen are likely tasting a level of freedom they have never before experienced as we head toward the second full month of the semester. 

What memories do NIU students have to share about their childhoods?

Junior nursing major Brianna Sanders’ earliest memory is full of sparkling lights and festival excitement that may have gotten a younger Sanders just a bit too enthusiastic. 

Q: “What’s your earliest memory?” 

A: “My earliest memory is my mom and my dad taking me to carnivals when I was about four or five. I’m not gonna lie, I’m a big carnival person. I love festivals. And I remember I got a scar on my knee because I was running and I fell. I was excited to go to the festival, and that was one of the earliest memories that I have that I would never forget.” 

Q: “All excited about the carnival?”

A: “All excited, I got a goldfish. My brother had brought me a goldfish. I was happy. I was a happy four-year-old.”

Sierra Usmani, a junior journalism major, is in awe of the beautiful imaginations that characterize childhood.

Q: “What do you think is the best thing about being a child?”

A: “I would say your imagination. It runs wild, and because you’re a child, because you’re young, because you’re a little, small being, like no one’s gonna be like, you know: ‘why does she do that, why does she think that, why does she say that?’ You know? It’s just you get to be, it’s the freedom to be, like, childlike. Because you’re a child and you get to speak your mind and not be judged for it, and it’s really because you’re young and you’re kinda like exploring your mind and your imagination, and so I feel that’s, that’s something that’s really fun to be when you’re a child.”

Taliyah Frazier, a senior finance major, is glad that even as a college kid, there’s still room and time to learn. She’s not a full adult yet!

Q: “What’s the best thing about being a college kid?”

A: “Like, it (college) gives you experience to the real world, but like not the full experience. We’re still kids.”