05/13/2026
Check out Chandler, Class of 2026! đ
When I arrived at Longwood, I was pretty introverted. In high school, I mostly kept to myself and didnât put myself out there much. But Iâd always heard that college is where you find your people and really experience life, so I decided I didnât want to hold myself back. As I settled in and grew more comfortable, I made the choice to tryâand that decision changed everything.
One of the first things that pushed me out of my comfort zone was joining Longwood Ambassadors. All of a sudden I was giving tours and talking to groups of people all the time, something I never would have imagined myself doing. But I loved it. That experience gave me the confidence to get more involved, and from there, everything started to build. I joined organizations, ran for positions and found myself stepping into leadership roles again and again.
Over time, I realized how much I enjoy leading and helping others grow. Whether it was serving as president of my nursing class council, mentoring students as a Peer Mentor or serving as president of my fraternity, I found purpose in helping people find their footing and succeed. Those experiences also helped shape the kind of nurse I want to be, someone who can lead with empathy and support people during difficult moments. It wasnât something I saw in myself before coming to college, but being surrounded by people who believed in me helped bring that out.
The relationships Iâve built here have been the most meaningful part of my experience. My professors and advisors have supported me every step of the way, and my friends have become like family. My roommate, Spencer, in particular, has been one of my closest friends since day one. We were randomly paired freshman year, and now our families know each other. Having people like that in your corner makes all the difference, especially when youâre navigating challenges or adjusting to being away from home.
If I could give advice to someone considering Longwood, it would be simple: be yourself and take the risk. Itâs easy to stay in your comfort zone, but the more you put yourself out there, the more youâll gain. This is a place where people know your name, where professors genuinely care and where youâre supported every step of the way. Longwood helped me grow into someone I didnât even know I could be, and thatâs something Iâll carry with me long after I leave.
Chandler Tinsley â26
HOMETOWN: Richmond, VA
MAJOR: Nursing
WHATâS NEXT: Registered Nurse in the Cardiopulmonary Stepdown Unit at Chippenham Hospital