Transitioning from high school to college is a big step, especially if you’re attending school far from home and without knowing many other people. It can be nerve-wracking and intimidating for sure, but in a short amount of time you figure it out and end up on top by the end of your first year. Since I recently wrapped up my first year of college, here are some tips and tricks I learned for surviving on campus, navigating academics, and getting organized to help you get a head start at Nazareth!
Surviving on Campus
If you aren’t afraid to step outside of your comfort zone, you’re going to make lifelong friends. It can be tempting to stay in your room at all times other than class, but there’s a good chance that you’re going to miss out on a lot of opportunities to meet new people. College can be busy and when you have a handful of good friends to lean on, it can be a lifesaver. Start your friend journey now through the SchoolsApp on Facebook, where you can easily talk with your future classmates, and even find roommates! Once you’re here, join clubs, talk to your floormates, and find some things you really enjoy doing. Nazareth has a number of fantastic clubs and organizations that always attract and promote great friendships.
One thing I learned and learned quickly was to budget. Even with a part-time job, it’s easy to spend money on things in the area off campus, and ordering Chinese or pizza frequently is tempting, but your bank account is going to feel it. Take advantage of free campus events, or the amazing $5 zip trips and concerts that the college offers; they’re great chances to get off campus without emptying your wallet, and besides, who wouldn’t want to see Imagine Dragons or tour Quebec for a weekend?
Rochester is cold, rainy, and dreary for a majority of the school year. It’s a good idea to invest in a solid raincoat and winter jacket and shoes that can survive puddles and snow piles. Even though we have tunnels to most of the buildings, walking outside can save a couple of minutes here and there, and you can avoid blockages in the tunnels.
Academics and Organization
In all honesty, you aren’t going to like every professor or class you have. Nazareth’s professors are fantastic, but not all will teach to your favorite learning style or you may be in a class that has unique expectations that you have to follow if you want to pass. It’s important to go into each class with an open mind, as you might have a different view of the class or professor than your friends and peers and you may end up liking something you never thought you would. Don’t be afraid to ask questions when you don’t know the answer or need some help going over information. Nazareth’s professors have office hours to meet with students in the case they might need help, or just want to learn more about classes and opportunities. Another thing, group projects are still a thing in college- and unlike in high school, you really do need to be responsible for your work and how well it is done, because you’re going to have other student’s grades riding on your work as well, and professors aren’t going to be as willing to work with uncooperative groups.
To-do lists save lives! Get a good planner and use it for everything from class work to upcoming tests, campus activities, your grocery list, and even when you should do laundry. The first week of the semester is jokingly called “syllabus week” because you spend a good part of the week going over class rules, procedures, and upcoming assignment due dates. This is your chance to fill in your planner for the semester so you are always on top of assignments. Studying in advance is a necessity, and not just a day or two, but a week in advance is a good idea, so adding that to your planner is key for success. Plus, looking ahead helps you when you need to find a time to meet with professors and advisors during office hours or plan out your future classes.
In the off-chance that you might need some tutoring, Naz provides it free to students and is offered for most classes. The Center for Student Success can set you up with tutoring sessions and get you the extra assistance you need to succeed. In addition, if you find yourself struggling on a paper or just need someone to read it over before submission, The Writing Center in the library will happily give it a peek! Nazareth has so many spaces that will work with students in order to be as successful as possible.
Certainties at Naz
College comes with a lot of uncertainties, but you can always count on catching a campus cold or flu at some point, the dorms are loud (even on school nights), and an episode of The Office can cure any bad day. Everyone (literally everyone) loses their keys or ID at one point, and although it can be awkward to call Campus Safety to let you in, we’ve all been there. Nazareth is a very safe and caring community, so in the case that you might leave your wallet behind or drop your keys, the chances of it getting turned in to campus safety untouched is much greater than the chances of your stuff being stolen.
The best thing to do in the transition into Freshman year is to be open to the challenges and the rewards, learn from your mistakes and know that college is what you make of it, so work hard, get involved, and have fun!