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Rebecca Meyers | Lifestyle Editor<\/span><\/p>\n Every year, hundreds of new students come to Western and have the opportunity to participate in New Student Week. This eventful week full of activities includes helpful resources for students finding their way around as well as an entertaining way to kick off the school year. <\/span><\/p>\n Whether they attended New Student Week or not, many students either walk into their first day feeling prepared and confident, or walk in feeling slightly overwhelmed and anxious. Both types of students will probably look back on this year having learned some life lessons that could only be learned through experience; these lessons can\u2019t be explained during orientation. <\/span><\/p>\n To save some time \u2014 and hopefully a few mistakes \u2014 a number of upperclassmen shared what they wish someone had told them when they were just starting out at Western.<\/span><\/p>\n When asked this question, Morgan Taylor, senior education major, referred to the responsibilities of being an adult.<\/span><\/p>\n Senior communications major Michelle Soutar was a transfer student when she participated in New Student Week. Wanting to immerse herself in the new student experience, she signed up for a weeklong trial of dorm life before school. The initial experience was not what she was expecting. The connections being made were beneficial to most of the new residents, but for her they wouldn\u2019t be permanent.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201c(I was) watching a community grow that I wouldn\u2019t be included in\u201d, she said, referring to the dorm-specific bonding events. When asked what she took away from this, she commented that it \u201cmade me utilize my counselor even more. It\u2019s good to have someone there to talk to you directly…As a consumer in the community of college we have a voice. Be and do the change you want to see.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n A perspective from another student also focused on the learning curve of time management.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t take an 8 a.m. It sucks\u201d, are the honest words from junior business major Casey Brown. \u201cOr at least if you\u2019re not an early bird.\u201d He adds that it\u2019s important to not to spend too much time partying and avoiding class, but it\u2019s good to have balance. \u201cIt\u2019s fine to go to that party as long as the important stuff gets done.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Now that New Student Week is over, it\u2019s time for the new students to begin they their experience and make their own mistakes to learn from. Fortunately they have access to the many resources at WOU as well as the experiences of others to get them through these first challenges.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Contact the author at rmeyers17@wou.edu<\/span><\/p>\n Photo courtesy of: Paul F. 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\u201cTransitioning into becoming an adult was very challenging in general, but as a college student we are expected to manage all the generic adult responsibilities while also juggling college. I was not prepared. You really have to teach yourself how to work with a budget and work while maintaining (your) mental health.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n