Nick McGraw Q&A
Posted: Monday, January 14, 2008
From left are Nick McGraw, brother Nate McGraw and mother, Joni John at Nate’s graduation from UNI in December. (Submitted photo)
Students and their parents reflect on their first semester in college. Here are their comments:
Nick McGraw says ...
Q. How have you changed since college?
I have grown up so much. I can’t believe how much stuff I do on my own and how much responsibility I have for myself now. I pay bills and worry about things that I never wanted to. I realized that I just have to do these things. I also have just come to terms with the fact that I have to grow up and have really embraced that.
Q. What influence do you see your roommates having on you?
My roommates are more than amazing and have had such an incredible influence on my life. Derek is my rock. We are in choir together, and he is the one I go to if I just need to vent. He is so cool-headed. He always calms me down and helps me rationalize the situation. Brady is my resource. He is so strong in his faith. He has really helped me develop and embrace my own faith and grow in my walk with God. And Troy is my stress reliever. I am such a high-strung, have-a-plan, organized guy, and Troy is such a chill, relaxed, go with the flow type of guy that we really balance well and he helps me realize that sometimes you just need to relax and “smell the roses.” And we know how to just have fun together.
Q. What do you miss most when you’re away at school?
I miss my family and my dog. I miss being able to chat with my mom and ask her advice about things going on in my life. I also miss our 13-year-old miniature schnauzer named Holly. She is my best friend. She is always by my side when I am home and usually sleeps in my room. That is about one of the only things that I can complain about my living situation n no dogs.
Q. What are your hopes for the second half of the school year?
I hope to have fun. I am so busy all the time, and this past semester just few by. I have lots of great memories of it, but not nearly as many as I did from the semester before. I have to remember that going to college is about the experience. Yes, A’s are important, but so is hanging with your friends and experiencing life. So much this past semester I put all that on hold and definitely regret it. So this semester I hope not to overbook myself so much and just have fun! (It would also be nice to get an A in music theory).
Q. How do you factor into your parents’ lives at this point?
Well, my parents are divorced and I live with my mom. As my mom has stated, she still does my laundry for me, but she did forget to mention that I do mow for her and also come over and help her shovel the snow. So we see each other often enough (not too much, though, because I always get roped into moving this and fixing this if I come over). And my dad and I talk on the phone and usually get together for dinner every once in a while and of course spend a little time together over breaks. So they are definitely still present in my life.
Q. What has surprised you the most about your college experience?
The thing that has surprised me most about my college experience is how much I have loved it. I never wanted to go to Morningside. I grew up in Sioux City and our home football games were at Olsen Stadium and all our of Choir Concerts were in Eppley Auditorium, so it wasn’t new and exciting to me. However, I did apply to Morningside as a “fall back” school, and I ended up getting a supernice financial aid package and with my parents’ situation, I ended up choosing Morningside, for not necessarily the best reasons. I wasn’t really that excited about coming to Morningside but came here thinking I might transfer in a couple years while I saved up some money, but I don’t think I could be happier anywhere else. Morningside is truly my home away from home. The friendly and fun atmosphere on campus is amazing, and I have made bonds with teachers and faculty members that I will never forget, and relationships with students that I will have forever. I love Morningside, and it has been and hope
it continues to be a blast!
Joni John says ...
Q. How has your student changed since college?
I believe Nick has become even more independent and is making more decisions on his own, thinking through each one more carefully. He is able to handle pretty much everything on his own, except his laundry. He says he doesn’t have the time, or does he just not want to do it? I hope I won’t be doing it forever.
Q. What influence do you see the roommates having on him?
I think his roommates have a great influence on him and he is learning a lot from each one (but not how to do his laundry). Guys, do you think you could help me out a little with this? I would even throw in a home-cooked meal for you. Now, back to the question. They are different in a lot of ways but have a lot of the same beliefs, which I, as Mom, think is great. I enjoy each one of his roommates and like having them around. I don’t have to worry as much about Nick with these kids around, as they seem to look out for one another.
Q. What do you miss most when he’s away at school?
Can I tell you first what I don’t miss? Just kidding. I still see him a lot, I still talk to him a lot, I still do his laundry a lot, he still is always borrowing things from me a lot, and I still give him money and food a lot, so I guess I am not missing much, except the little messes he used to leave around the house and the fact that he could never throw anything away.
What are your hopes for the second half of the school year?
That he continues to have a positive college experience, but maybe that his school work load would let up a little so he can enjoy the experience, as well. Oh yes, and that he learns to do his laundry!
Q. How do you factor into his life at this point?
I know that Nick thinks he could live just fine without me, but I think he would miss his mom a lot and the little things that I do n like his laundry, hint, hint. By the way, I did teach him how to do it, and he is a very quick learner but just hasn’t seem to pick up on this one.
Q. What has surprised you the most about his college experience?
Not much, I guess, as I knew that Nick would love it. I guess I am a little surprised that he is so happy staying here in Sioux City, but yet I am very glad that he is here. I know that I would miss him greatly if he was far away, but not his laundry n ha ha! Can you tell I am hung up on this laundry thing?
Nick McGraw says ...
Q. How have you changed since college?
I have grown up so much. I can’t believe how much stuff I do on my own and how much responsibility I have for myself now. I pay bills and worry about things that I never wanted to. I realized that I just have to do these things. I also have just come to terms with the fact that I have to grow up and have really embraced that.
Q. What influence do you see your roommates having on you?
My roommates are more than amazing and have had such an incredible influence on my life. Derek is my rock. We are in choir together, and he is the one I go to if I just need to vent. He is so cool-headed. He always calms me down and helps me rationalize the situation. Brady is my resource. He is so strong in his faith. He has really helped me develop and embrace my own faith and grow in my walk with God. And Troy is my stress reliever. I am such a high-strung, have-a-plan, organized guy, and Troy is such a chill, relaxed, go with the flow type of guy that we really balance well and he helps me realize that sometimes you just need to relax and “smell the roses.” And we know how to just have fun together.
Q. What do you miss most when you’re away at school?
I miss my family and my dog. I miss being able to chat with my mom and ask her advice about things going on in my life. I also miss our 13-year-old miniature schnauzer named Holly. She is my best friend. She is always by my side when I am home and usually sleeps in my room. That is about one of the only things that I can complain about my living situation n no dogs.
Q. What are your hopes for the second half of the school year?
I hope to have fun. I am so busy all the time, and this past semester just few by. I have lots of great memories of it, but not nearly as many as I did from the semester before. I have to remember that going to college is about the experience. Yes, A’s are important, but so is hanging with your friends and experiencing life. So much this past semester I put all that on hold and definitely regret it. So this semester I hope not to overbook myself so much and just have fun! (It would also be nice to get an A in music theory).
Q. How do you factor into your parents’ lives at this point?
Well, my parents are divorced and I live with my mom. As my mom has stated, she still does my laundry for me, but she did forget to mention that I do mow for her and also come over and help her shovel the snow. So we see each other often enough (not too much, though, because I always get roped into moving this and fixing this if I come over). And my dad and I talk on the phone and usually get together for dinner every once in a while and of course spend a little time together over breaks. So they are definitely still present in my life.
Q. What has surprised you the most about your college experience?
The thing that has surprised me most about my college experience is how much I have loved it. I never wanted to go to Morningside. I grew up in Sioux City and our home football games were at Olsen Stadium and all our of Choir Concerts were in Eppley Auditorium, so it wasn’t new and exciting to me. However, I did apply to Morningside as a “fall back” school, and I ended up getting a supernice financial aid package and with my parents’ situation, I ended up choosing Morningside, for not necessarily the best reasons. I wasn’t really that excited about coming to Morningside but came here thinking I might transfer in a couple years while I saved up some money, but I don’t think I could be happier anywhere else. Morningside is truly my home away from home. The friendly and fun atmosphere on campus is amazing, and I have made bonds with teachers and faculty members that I will never forget, and relationships with students that I will have forever. I love Morningside, and it has been and hope
it continues to be a blast!
Joni John says ...
Q. How has your student changed since college?
I believe Nick has become even more independent and is making more decisions on his own, thinking through each one more carefully. He is able to handle pretty much everything on his own, except his laundry. He says he doesn’t have the time, or does he just not want to do it? I hope I won’t be doing it forever.
Q. What influence do you see the roommates having on him?
I think his roommates have a great influence on him and he is learning a lot from each one (but not how to do his laundry). Guys, do you think you could help me out a little with this? I would even throw in a home-cooked meal for you. Now, back to the question. They are different in a lot of ways but have a lot of the same beliefs, which I, as Mom, think is great. I enjoy each one of his roommates and like having them around. I don’t have to worry as much about Nick with these kids around, as they seem to look out for one another.
Q. What do you miss most when he’s away at school?
Can I tell you first what I don’t miss? Just kidding. I still see him a lot, I still talk to him a lot, I still do his laundry a lot, he still is always borrowing things from me a lot, and I still give him money and food a lot, so I guess I am not missing much, except the little messes he used to leave around the house and the fact that he could never throw anything away.
What are your hopes for the second half of the school year?
That he continues to have a positive college experience, but maybe that his school work load would let up a little so he can enjoy the experience, as well. Oh yes, and that he learns to do his laundry!
Q. How do you factor into his life at this point?
I know that Nick thinks he could live just fine without me, but I think he would miss his mom a lot and the little things that I do n like his laundry, hint, hint. By the way, I did teach him how to do it, and he is a very quick learner but just hasn’t seem to pick up on this one.
Q. What has surprised you the most about his college experience?
Not much, I guess, as I knew that Nick would love it. I guess I am a little surprised that he is so happy staying here in Sioux City, but yet I am very glad that he is here. I know that I would miss him greatly if he was far away, but not his laundry n ha ha! Can you tell I am hung up on this laundry thing?
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