Making the adjustment to the college lifestyle can be hard for any freshman.

It can be even more stressful at times for freshmen athletes like NIU volleyball player Allison McGlaughlin. From things like missing classes to juggling homework with team meetings and practices, athletes may have a more-than-full plate of stress at times throughout the season.

McGlaughlin sat down with the Northern Star to talk about making the adjustment to college life, handling the stress of class and athletics and the quality of dorm food.

Northern Star: How do you like the dorm atmosphere as a freshman opposed to living at home?

Allison McGlaughlin: I don’t know, I’m living in a suite so it’s nice because I’m with three other girls and we’re in a really nice room, so that’s nice.

NS: What’s it like adjusting to the pace of college life, being an athlete on top of being a student?

AM: Well, with the mandatory study tables it’s good because you’re forced to do your work.

NS: How hard has it been learning to juggle homework and classes with things like practices, matches and meetings?

AM: Well we’ve already missed some class. This is the third day we’ve missed classes so that’s hard and kind of stressful.

NS: How different is DeKalb compared to your hometown of Morton?

AM: Well, my town is fairly small; there are around 16,000 people. I don’t know how many people are in DeKalb, but it’s kind of the same because we have cornfields and stuff. It’s like a town but there is some country, too, so it’s kind of similar.

NS: We’re a few weeks into the school year; what’s your favorite class you’re taking so far?

AM: Probably my math class is my favorite. It’s pretty easy.

NS: Do you have any game day or pre-game rituals or superstitions?

AM: Not really. [I] don’t really believe in any of that.

NS: If you weren’t playing volleyball for NIU, what other sport would you like to try your hand at?

AM: Well I used to play softball, but I’d probably play badminton. It’s really competitive. We played it in P.E. and I would get so intense when we’d play it. It was so much fun.

NS: What’s your final verdict on the dorm food?

AM: Well usually my hours for eating there are kind of crazy, so some of the things aren’t open like the [Northern Lights] Grill, but it’s pretty good. Stevenson’s pretty good … I think it’s fine.