From the moment you toasted with Coca-Cola during Orientation, you officially became an Emory student. The next four years will be exciting, wonderful, and difficult all at the same time. But before this semester ends, some of the upperclassmen have some things to say to you! They want to help you make the most of these years, and that involves sharing some of the lessons they’ve learned and wished they knew as a freshman. Listen up ladies–there’s nothing more valuable than advice from a girl who paved the path before you.
“Take the classes you’re interested in, not just the ones you think will look good on your transcript!”
-Jen Hallaman, Senior
“Don’t think that you have to know what you want to do with the rest of your life by freshmen year. It can take time and experience to figure that out!”
– Sarah Chew, Senior
“Don’t get bogged down in what others do or say, just do you.”
– Maura Lewandowski, Senior
“Make sure you take time to do things aside from school! Get active on campus and in the Atlanta community too! It can be very therapeutic.”
– Diane Harrison, Senior
“Allowing yourself to be vulnerable, to give it your all and be true to yourself is fantastically rewarding, even when the fear of failing or getting hurt seems overwhelming. But when you do fall, know that there are always helping hands waiting to pick you back up!”
– Hannah Teetor, Junior
“Emory is a goal-oriented environment. People don’t focus enough on the journey. Use these four years to make some mistakes and grow from them. In the long run, cultivating life skills and learning what balanced and happy looks like for you is going to be a lot more helpful and take you a lot farther than your first post-graduation job.”
– Anna Millard, Senior
“Life is what happens when you’re in the library for TOO long.”
– Danielle Thammasilla, Senior
“YOLO, but YOLO responsibly.”
-Kelly Landeen, Senior
“Remember to let yourself be happy. We’re under so much pressure to succeed that we feel like if we’re not stressed we’re doing something wrong. Take the time to enjoy the things and people around you as much as possible, because you’ll never get these years of your life back.”
– Amelia Muhs, Junior
“Emory has a stress culture that makes students feel like they aren’t performing at their best if they aren’t involved with as much as they have time to be. Taking care of yourself is just as important as being involved. You don’t have to be ashamed for not having limitless energy.”
– Holly Bok, Senior
“ I have 1 motto: Live your life. That is to say, do whatever you want and don’t let social judgment constrict your life, just so long as what you do doesn’t endanger or hurt others.”
– Rebecca Di, Junior
“Never underestimate the power of coffee.”
– Emily Hoberman, Senior
“The important things are to be happy and healthy! Try to be involved in things you are passionate about/enjoy doing, but don’t overdo it. Being in fewer extracurriculars, but being more involved with them is more fulfilling than being in many clubs you barely participate in. Also take the classes you are interested in taking, because you never know, it could change your mind about your major/post-undergrad plans and if not, it’ll make you more well-rounded.”
– Jen Abovich, Junior
These ladies are Emory veterans and clearly have come away with some really valuable advice. Keep these points in mind next time you are stressing over something small, and remember that before you know it, it will be you giving advice to the incoming freshman!