Boston is the ultimate college town, so it’s no surprise that the city comes alive again this time of year. For freshmen, not only do you have to take on college for the first time, but in some cases, you might take on a new city or even a new state! You’re probably feeling a mixture of nerves and excitement, and maybe this is the millionth advice article you’ve read. Well, allow me to shed some more light on the subject, because these are some things that I wish someone had told me about as a freshman at Simmons College.
1. Now is the time to explore options for your major
Maybe you’ve come to Simmons with a major in mind. Maybe you haven’t and are going in as undeclared. Both are okay! This is the perfect year to take courses in a variety of subjects. Get a feel for what you like and what you don’t; don’t feel pressure to decide on your major before you’re ready. Follow your instincts – what are your favorite classes to take? Where do your passions lie? That’s what you should pursue. It may feel like everyone has their majors and career goals figured out already, but in some cases it’s better to take it slow and explore a variety of courses instead of diving right into a major and realizing two years later that it’s not for you.
2. The hard facts of Bartol
Dining hall food in its nature is not always delicious. You’ll probably have days where you walk into Bartol, take a look at the options available and find nothing you’re in the mood for. It’s just inevitable. Don’t be afraid to enjoy off-campus dining once in a while. There are plenty of affordable options down the street from the residence campus – from Panera, to Chipotle and Sweetgreen. But while the food is a far cry from a home-cooked meal, Bartol’s saving grace is its staff. They’re some of the friendliest faces on campus, and they really do just want to accommodate us and serve us the food we want. So if you want to change something, leave a suggestion on a little notecard that they usually have around the dining hall. It will benefit everyone!
3. Simmons flaunts its location in the heart of Boston for a reason, so take advantage of it
This might seem like obvious advice, but as the semester goes on, the course load gets heavier and it will be very easy to get stuck in the bubble of the Simmons campus. Try to do some exploring when you can, even if it’s just a walk around the Fenway neighborhood. You might stumble across some lovely apartment buildings, spectacular views of the Prudential Tower or even a good loop for your next run. And make sure to check out the stuff Boston is known for – take a look at our Boston Bucket List[Office1] !
4. College is a rollercoaster, and Simmons is no exception
There were a lot of things I learned in my first two years at Simmons that no one told me about in any advice article on the internet. The truth is, college probably won’t go exactly how you expect it. The important thing to remember when you’re stressed or feeling blue is that most college students share a common ground – none of us have any idea what we’re doing. College is challenging and rewarding and different for everyone. Hopefully by the end of it all, you’ll get off the ride, walk away with that diploma and be glad you did it.