By: Amanda Clarke Staff Writer
The first year on campus can be a difficult one. Here are some helpful tips from other students for first-year students to make the transition easier:
1. Get involved!
Getting involved on campus can help combat homesickness. It can also lead to meeting new people and trying new things. “Get involved however you can!” said Kristen Case, a junior biology major. Joining clubs and going to events on campus can help create friendships and keep you active, both mentally and physically. College is the perfect time for trying new things; don’t miss out on the opportunities available to you.
2. Stay in touch with your family and friends back home.
“Text your parents, but not in class,” said Avi Goldberg, a sophomore early childhood education major. Keeping in touch with family and old friends after leaving home can be difficult with so much to do with regards to school work and everyday life on campus. Even just a quick text letting them know how you’re doing can ease their mind and maintain the important bonds of your support system.
3. Know your resources.
You can get textbooks from various resources to save money. Textbooks can be rented through Inter-Library loaning as well as directly through the library for up to 10 weeks, which can save money in the long run. You can also get textbooks from online retailers, local used bookstores, or peers who no longer need theirs. Most things you need to purchase on campus can be found off campus, frequently at far less cost. However, the campus community does provide a lot of avenues that should be taken advantage of. For example, the tutors in the writing center are always willing to help and the Stonewall Center is a good resource for the LBTQ+ community.
4. “Go to class!” – Austin Davis, sophomore criminal justice major.
You are paying for your classes, so get the most out of them by going to class, listening to the lectures, and involving yourself in group discussions. Not only will you be able to understand the material better, but professors will remember your name and the amount of work you put into their class. “Apply yourself!” said Shelby Worthing, a junior economics major. It could be the difference between a B and an A. Sometimes it’s hard to expend that much effort, but laziness and procrastination spell doom for the average college student.
5. “Stay on top of your graduation requirements!” – Megan Clark, senior English major.
Looking at your graduation requirements when you are a freshman will help you to look ahead at what classes you need to take in the future. Sometimes a class will only be offered every other year, which can make finishing graduation requirements hard if it isn’t offered until your junior year. Be sure to check in with your advisor, both to lift holds and check out your requirements, and be sure to keep tabs on DegreeWorks and the upcoming academic calendar.
6. Be considerate and keep up with your chores.
Your parents aren’t around to clean up your mess anymore. Forgetting your laundry in the wash can create a hassle for other people within the living quarters. If you forget your laundry, sometimes people will have to move it so they can do their own. “Set a timer for your laundry because the texting app is not always accurate and sometimes out of order,” said Jessica Donahue, a sophomore forensic chemistry major. Keeping up with chores can show your consideration for others and reflects well on your character. “Clean your room before your parents visit,” said Goldberg. While it’s important to make a good impression on visiting parents, cleaning your room, and keeping it clean, will create a more organized living space for you. This can cut down on anxiety, stress, and the terror that comes with losing something important in the chaos of your room.
7. Explore your off-campus options.
“Don’t be limited to on-campus experiences; look for fun things to do around town,” said Clark. While there are a lot of events that happen around campus, there are also community happenings off campus in the Monmouth and Independence area such as sporting events, movie nights, and concerts that the cities put on. Eating out all the time isn’t the healthiest or cheapest option, but neither is eating at the dining hall all the time. Try and go to the grocery store once in a while and pick up something cheap and healthy.
