1. Take advantage of any and all opportunities.
When in doubt, create your own opportunities. Is there something that you have always wanted to do? Notre Dame can probably find a way to make it happen, all it takes is a little bit of initiative. One downside to being an “archie” (Architecture major) is the inability to travel abroad outside of the year abroad in Rome due to studio requirements. However, summers are still fair game! If you have the desire to study abroad there are ALWAYS options! I added a Supplementary Major in French by my second semester freshman year, and I took a risk and applied for a grant to study abroad in the summer. Fortunately, I’m going to France for 6 weeks this summer on grant money provided by the Nanovic Institute and Notre Dame’s own CSLC to take French classes and live with a host family! Long story short, Notre Dame made one of my dreams of traveling to Europe a reality within my first year.
2. Don’t panic if you don’t find a consistent group of friends right away.
Making new friends is what freshman year is all about, right? Well, it’s not always as easy as it sounds. However, there is no need to panic if you haven’t found your “crew” in time to plan Spring Break by December. I certainly did not! You’ll make abundant acquaintances and friends, but finding consistency will be key. Go to dorm events, get to know your hall or section mates, and invite that girl down the hall to dinner. My best advice is to make an effort to connect with mutual friends. Give it time and everything will work out!
3. The Freshman Fifteen is real.
Everyone has heard this before, and it is unfortunately very real. But this doesn’t mean that you should cut out pizza and SDH fro-yo from your diet altogether! Sure, gaining a couple pounds may not be ideal, but college isn’t the time to obsess about your weight, it’s the time to be spontaneous, order Chinese food late at night, and enjoy Chipotle every once in awhile with your best friend (or make it a weekly tradition). Exercise and eat that salad when you can, but don’t prioritize those things over quality time with friends every time.
4. Learn to not only “step,” but to LEAP (Bullfrog style) out of your comfort zone.
This begins the second you step onto campus. During Frosh-O, get ready to meet a ton of new people, forget a bunch of names, and maybe even swap some phone numbers with almost complete strangers. When it comes to formals and SYR’s, don’t turn down an invitation just because you don’t know the guy very well (or maybe you don’t know him at all). I went to at least two SYR’s in which I was set up with a date, but I went with an open mind, and it all turned out just fine. At the very least, you’ll have a good story to tell, and who knows, maybe you could meet a great guy. Either way, you’ll always wonder “what if” if you don’t give it a shot!
5. Get to know your RA, AR, and rector.
Your hall staff worked really hard to get those positions, and they do a lot to keep the dorm running smoothly. Unlike other universities, all of Notre Dame’s RA’s must be seniors. Take advantage of their experience as students and mentors and don’t hesitate to ask them questions or ask for advice. Trust me, they are dying to get to know you all! In addition, rectors are another unique part of dorm life at Notre Dame. Talk to him or her, and it just might pay off down the road.
6. Find your “study space” before finals week in December.
I definitely learned this one the hard way. It pains me to admit that I didn’t even step foot in the library until midterms week before Fall Break of my freshman year. Try out a multitude of places, such as CoMo, the library in Bond Hall, the Law Building, or even places in your own dorm like the kitchen or social space. If you are anything like me, you’ll probably realize doing homework in your dorm room may not always be productive. Figure out whatever works best for you as soon as possible, and you won’t be as stressed the night before your Calc II exam.
7. Capture the moments.
Take pictures, keep a journal, or make a memory jar filled with little pieces of paper with a funny memory on each one. My friends and I made a freshman year memory jar, and we have probably reread the little pieces of paper at least three times already. Your college days will be some of the best in your life, and you’ll cherish these memories forever. It’s only been a year, and I already look back at all my pictures with nostalgia. I can’t imagine how it must feel being a senior and looking back to Frosh-O.
8. DO PUSHUPS AT FOOTBALL GAMES–I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH.
Ever since I did push-ups at my very first Notre Dame football game as a freshman, I have been hooked. I cannot explain the feeling, but the mix of adrenaline, spirit, and pure joy is intoxicating. Just do this, trust me you will not regret it in the least.
9. Participate in as many Notre Dame traditions as possible.
You chose Notre Dame over the other thousands of universities in the world for a reason, so embrace it! Events such as the Fisher Regatta, the Keenan Revue, and Badin’s own Polar Bear Plunge (shameless Badin plug) are all things that make Notre Dame so special! And don’t forget to go to as many dorm masses as you can. Most come with special treats, like Dillon’s Milkshake Mass, Lyons Cookie Mass, and Badin’s Pancake Mass (what can I say, Badin is awesome). Aside from strictly Notre Dame traditions, don’t be afraid to be spontaneous. Swim in the lake on a Monday night or go hang out at Reckers until 2 am laughing with your friends. These are the little things that make college an adventure. Pack as many traditions into your four years as possible to live the true ND experience.
10. Take advantage of each and every day at Notre Dame.
Before you know it, your freshman year will be over, and soon enough, you’ll be sitting in the stadium waiting to receive your diploma. There is always something happening on campus, there are always people to talk to, and since it is Notre Dame, there is always homework to be done. So, get off your phone and save that next episode of Gossip Girl on Netflix for a rainy day and go hang out with friends or play frisbee on South Quad. Notre Dame will quickly become your new home, and when May comes around, you’ll be sad to leave such a remarkable place and all of your new amazing friends. Sometimes, I still get chills walking past the dome on my way to class because it’s just another reminder that I am lucky enough to live my dream every day. Make it your mission to live spontaneously and courageously all four years. Love thee, Notre Dame.
Now enjoy looking at me YOLO-ing on move-in day 2013.
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