First of all, welcome to college! I remember that day, and I’m sure you are feeling a weird mixture of excitement, nerves, sadness, and happiness, along with just a bit stressed. I know that it is hard, but try to not worry about making friends or figuring out where everything is. All of the other first years are in the same boat.
As you move into your room, you are probably overwhelmed by the white, blank space around you. And yet, by the end of the year, that room is going to feel like home. You are going to cover the walls with pictures and drawings, and fill the room with memories. When the year finally ends you are not going to be able to imagine living anywhere else, but after finals you will pack up all of your stuff ready to make your home in a new place on campus next year.
This room is going to go through a lot with you this year. It is going to see the tears from missing home and family. It is going to be lit up by your small desk lamp as you pull your first all-nighter heavily regretting all of the procrastination you have done for you research paper (and it will not be the first time it has seen a girl do that). It is going to be with you as you make new friends and slowly make Gettysburg your home.
So here’s some advice that you might want to hear:
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Leave the door open. You never know who you are going to meet by seeing them walk by. That is how I met some of my best friends.
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Talk to your roommate. You are going to be spending a lot of time with them! Try to get to know them and also talk about what you expect from each other (just small things like when you like to go to bed or wake up. You will get more in depth about this when you complete your roommate agreement).
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Become friends with your RA!! Now, I know this may not seem cool right away, but they are the ones with all of the insider information, like what the CUB is. And, they are also pretty awesome people!
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Don’t be afraid to talk to new people. Sit with strangers at Servo. Say hi to everyone you see. All of the first years are in the same boat, and you never know where a “hi” in the dining hall will lead.
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Hang out in your common room. This is a great place to meet new people, and is also a great place to study if you don’t need absolute silence.
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Find all of your classrooms before the first day of classes. This may seem a bit ridiculous, but one day during orientation when you have free time, grab a new friend and walk through your schedules. This will be very helpful when you have to go from McCreary to Weidensall in ten minutes on the first day of classes and can’t remember exactly which building is which.
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Remember why you are here. I know that orientation seems like summer camp, but once classes start, try to remember why you are here-to learn. Don’t let having fun cause you to miss classes or not complete assignments.
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Have fun. While school is important, also try to have fun when your work is done. This takes a bit of balancing, but you will figure it out.
The room you are now moving into went through a lot with me last year. It saw me transition from high school to college, and was witness to the tears, the nights spent laughing, the new friendships I formed, all of the homework and papers, and so much more. And it is now ready to do the same with you. I wish you all the luck with your first year, and hope that your new dorm room will be as great for you as it was for me. Good Luck!