Tips for Your First Year of College From the News Nest Team
FIND A COMMUNITY!
Making friends and getting to know your classmates can make a difference. Even if they have different majors or are from different grades, they can provide incredible support throughout your academic experience and bolster your mental health. If you’re a commuter, don’t just go home immediately after class. And if you’re a resident, don’t just stay in your room all day. Remember, it’s never too late to make friends.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ON-CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES!
Getting a job on campus can be a good way to familiarize yourself with USJ and its community while also earning a bit of spending money.
GET INVOLVED IN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES!
Whether it be joining a club, volunteering, or supporting your favorite campus newspaper, activities like these will look great on your resume and immerse you in projects you are passionate about. Meeting people with similar passions and interests can help you make new friends, too.
GO TO THE CAE (CENTER FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE) FOR TUTORING!
The CAE has peer tutors for practically every subject, from Spanish to biology, as well as tutors dedicated to helping you with each step of the writing process. Best of all, tutoring is a free resource for you to take advantage of.
FIND AN ORGANIZATION METHOD THAT WORKS FOR YOU!
Whether you prefer digital or physical planners and notebooks, keeping track of due dates and class materials will be your key to success. Academic Success Tutors at the CAE can help you test different planning and organizing strategies to find what works best for you.
EVERY FAILURE IS A LEARNING OPPORTUNITY!
Failing means you get a chance to look back on what happened, do research, and make a plan to succeed the next time. Every success is supported by at least a few prior failures.
LEAVE FOR YOUR COMMUTE EARLY!
You never know what trouble you might run into on the road, and getting to campus early can help ensure that you find a parking spot.
SEEK OUT THREE KINDS OF MENTORS: UPPERCLASSMEN, FACULTY, AND STAFF!
– HEATHER MILLER (HEAD OF ADVISING, CENTER FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, & FYS PEER MENTORING)
From knowing where the laundry room is to which classes you should take, a well-rounded group of mentors is vital. With these three types of people on your side, you’ll better understand everything related to the USJ campus, the courses you need to graduate, and much more.
READ THE ENTIRE SYLLABUS!
Not thoroughly reading through each of your syllabi is the easiest way to lose track of what assignments are due and when. Carefully reviewing each syllabus will help you keep track of your assignments and give you a better sense of your workload. You can then make plans and ask questions ahead of time.
LEARN HOW TO BUDGET!
College is undoubtedly expensive. Luckily, the internet is full of resources to help college students with budgeting. The first step is to determine how much you can afford to spend each week. In addition to having a part-time job, researching and applying for scholarships throughout your college career can help you fund your budget.
TALK WITH YOUR PROFESSORS!
If you are confused about something in your classes, there is a good chance your classmates are confused, too. Do not be afraid to speak up and ask your professors a question or attend your professors’ office hours. Interacting with your professors will not only help your grades. It will help you gain faculty mentors who will appreciate your interest in what they are teaching.
TRY TO BE OPEN TO CHANGE!
Starting college – in addition to the entire college experience – will be one significant shift of many in your life. You will confront change at every turn, and it’s okay to feel strange, sad, or even frustrated. You might realize that you are no longer interested in the major you came in with, and that’s okay, too. Try to accept this long journey of change, the person you are continuously evolving into, and all the feelings that come along in the process.
Photograph: Crista Fiala
