Name and Major?

I think it’s safe to say that at one time or another, we were all a little freshman that didn’t know the difference between the Student Center Ballrooms and the 7th floor of University Hall. Maybe that’s too specific for the general audience, but my point still stands . Regardless of if you get your buildings confused, being an uninformed freshman is something we can all relate to, and considering that no one spells out what a girl’s to do on such a campus, I have decided to be your equally confused freshman sherpa. 

A question you will get asked millions of times before the end of your first semester is, “what’s your name and major?”, which after a while, your response should sound like a Key and Peele football intro. Perfectly curated to explain exactly what you expect your future to look like in as few words as possible. For me, it’s ‘Ashlyn Klinsky, film and television, hopes to be a screenplay writer’. But along with the basic questions, you’ll also find yourself with more complex inquiries, like ‘Where do I go to take my virtual therapy call when my roommate has an online class and needs the dorm?’, ‘How can I live without seeing my mom every single day?’, and my personal favorite, ‘Am I good enough to be here?’. Deep stuff, I know. But you can rest easy, my little freshman, equally-as-scared- Momma Ashlyn has some answers.

If for whatever reason you need a secluded spot away from all the noise, might I suggest the tables outside the Kassar Theatre, which is by Red Hawk Deck. I find myself taking my therapy appointments out there, or even just spending my in-between class time enjoying the breeze. My table of choice is the farthest to the right if you’re looking at the theatre, so feel free to stop by and soak it all in with me. Perhaps you’d like to do the same thing, but inside. I would recommend the upstairs of The College of Communication and Media, specifically in the funky chairs on the other side of the bathroom. It isn’t the most secluded spot, but if you just need a break and a good chair, take a visit. 

As for your possible codependency issues, being homesick is not for the faint of heart. Sometimes a girl just wants to lay in her moms lap and watch The Challenge. If you find yourself missing home, find time to chit chat with your family. Perhaps, you can sit outside the Kassar Theatre and give Mom a ring? If for whatever reason you can’t call home, put some pictures up to remind you who you’re doing this all for. As my roommate can attest, my side of the dorm is covered with pictures of my friends and family from back home. I find that having mementos from loved ones in my space keeps my spirits high. If all else fails, change your phone and computer lock screens to pictures of your loved ones. Whatever you need to remind yourself that you aren’t alone is going to make the homesickness just a little bit easier.

Now, maybe you don’t feel all that homesick, but still feel lonely. This is where those people you met at orientation come into play. You may not believe it, but the people you meet at orientation and in your first few classes are all experiencing the same thing. Everyone is lowkey going through it, and what does misery love more than company? One of my favorite things I have done on campus so far was my mid-Red Hawk Day adventure to the Montclair State Ice Arena with some divas I met at orientation. Was I super close with these girls? Not really, no. Did I remember all of their names at first? Also no. But, was it one of the best side quests of my summer? Yes, yes it was. Sometimes I can get in my head about the ‘rules’ of social interactions, telling myself that in order to enjoy myself, I need to know the people I’m with. But when I tell you that falling on your butt in front of professional ice skaters with a bunch of girls, who are mostly also falling on their butts, is the best feeling ever, I don’t speak in hyperbole. Sometimes if you want a spontaneous college experience, you have to say yes to the kinda weird questions. Obviously, do what you feel safe doing with people you feel safe with, but sometimes it’s good to go ice skating with semi-strangers. As it turns out, those semi-strangers are some of your favorite people. 

After all is said and done, and you find yourself in your dorm on a Saturday night, which is completely normal and is not something you should feel bad about, sometimes the perfect pick-me-up is some good old fashioned television. If you have the streaming services or shifty workarounds, I’d recommend watching the following senior in high school/college freshman stories: Sterling Point on Prime (all of the hubbub is correct, this show is killer), Adults on Hulu/Disney+, Overcompensating on Prime, XO, Kitty on Netflix and finally, if you’re like me and love a good rewatch of peak, classic cinema, might I suggest seasons 3 through 11 of NCIS on Paramount+. I may not know how to operate Canvas, but I sure do know a thing or two about good tv.

From one freshman to another, I hope you know that you belong here, and I’m not just saying that because I work for Campus Activities and that’s their MO. I say it because it’s true. You can do hard things, you are capable of academic success and you are truly unstoppable when you maintain a true perspective. So keep on sharing your name, major and three fun facts until no one can forget who you are. I know I will. 

• #college
• #freshman year
• #tv shows
• campus rec