Welcome to Georgia State University. I went back to school this spring at GSU and am now a Panther. I previously attended Ricks College (a long time previously) whose colors were also blue and white, so in that regard I feel right at home. In almost every other way, Georgia State and Ricks College are almost as opposite as you could imagine. 
Ricks College (now known as BYU-Idaho) is privately owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Most classes begin with a prayer. There is a strict dress code- no shorts allowed! There is also a strict honor code (the same one that is now famous because of the BYU basketball player who broke it.)
Contrast that with my current experience at Georgia State. There is definitely no prayer in class, except the one I say in my head before each test I take. The strict dress code consists of "Please cover your body somehow, someway before you walk on campus." And the strict honor code is totally nonexistent.
Despite these differences, however, I am grateful for the experiences of both. BYU-Idaho was a wonderful experience in which I met and made many true friends that I am still very close to today. It furthered my faith in God and I am grateful for the spiritual experiences I had there as well as the education that I got there. The experiences that I am having at Georgia State are teaching me to appreciate more fully those who are different from myself. And, to rely more on my faith in God to get my through all my commitments and accomplish all that is expected of me.
There are 4 weeks left of this semester. So far I have A's in all my classes. I have several papers, presentations, and, of course, finals coming up so we'll see if my A's come through all that unscathed on the other end! But, if not, I'll know I did my best and that's what counts!
