Dear Scholars,
Welcome to The University of Mississippi! I would like to congratulate you on whatever achievements in your life have brought you to this point. Whether you’re a recent high school graduate, transferring in from another two- or four-year college or returning to start (or finish) your education later in life, getting here is no small feat. Congratulations. I hope you are thrilled about what lies ahead.
I hope I’m not the first to tell you that you are here at a very exciting time. You will be among the first students to study in the Jim and Thomas Duff Center for Science and Technology. Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss Football are on a hot streak, clinching the program’s first-ever 11-win season at the Peach Bowl in December 2023 — the team’s fourth bowl game appearance in four years. Not to mention the elephant in the room — or rather, the lack thereof: More students are seeking higher education at UM than ever before.
There will be plenty to see, do and experience in the time you spend at this amazing place. Here are some suggestions to enhance your experience even further:
Go to talks and programs. Almost every school, department and program regularly invites speakers to campus to present research, discuss their work or simply engage in an exchange of ideas. They never fail to be engaging and enlightening yet are often sparsely attended. If you wish to nurture your intellectual curiosity, this is a great way to do so. Look at UM Today to see what’s going on. My personal favorites have been sponsored by the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics, the Center for the Study of Southern Culture and the Department of African-American Studies.
See more of Mississippi. For many of you, attending college in Oxford will be your first time stepping foot in Mississippi. Though there is a lot to see and do in Oxford alone, there is much magic waiting for you throughout the rest of the state. Take a weekend trip to the beaches on Mississippi’s Gulf Coast. See Elvis Presley’s birthplace in Tupelo. Visit museums in the capital city of Jackson or go to one of the many festivals held around the state. You are in one of the most culturally and historically rich places in the world. Take time to experience it.
Try something new. This may seem like generic advice, but hear me out. Despite being a relatively small campus and community, UM and Oxford boast a diverse range of things to do. Pick the thing you can’t imagine yourself doing, and do it. Go see a band you don’t ordinarily listen to perform on the square. Join the intramural league and try a sport you’re certain you’ll be awful at. Take a class or seminar on a subject you’re not familiar with. It may be challenging and you may not be great at it, but you’ll be better for it. It’s a skill to be comfortable embracing the unknown.
Show appreciation for your professors. This goes beyond telling them thank you (though you should do that, too). It’s important to show up to class and, when you are in class, to pay attention. Most professors are passionate about what they teach. Do your best to ask questions when you have them and to engage earnestly with the material at hand. Give your all on every assignment. It’s not always easy, but effort indicates appreciation and respect, both of which your professors deserve.
Find your community. One of the best experiences of your college journey truly is making friends along the way. Whether it’s through shared interests, cultural affinity or common goals, finding your people can provide invaluable support, friendship and a sense of belonging. Your college years are a time of growth and exploration, and surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals can enhance that journey exponentially. Your classes and student organizations are great places to start.
Overall, I would encourage you to approach each day with an open mind. Your time at UM will be nothing more than the sum of what you make of it. You are capable of achieving great things, and everywhere you look there is someone ready to help you and to cheer you on every step of the way.
I wish you a warm welcome and a fulfilling journey ahead.
Best,
Violet Jira
Journalism and Philosophy, Class of 2024
Former Editor-in-Chief, The Daily Mississippian
