As a new freshman, you have probably heard the same old song and dance about being yourself and getting involved once you get to campus. But I have the real scoop. Here are some tips that I find useful and that I wish I had known coming in as a freshmen. Some of these suggestions might be common sense, but taking from my personal experience and the experiences of sophomore friends of mine, I have constructed guidelines for quick success at SJU.
1. College is a very self-centered experience. You are living; without parents and old friends. You are living with strangers who might possibly become your friends or enemies. Take a deep breath and know that these beginning weeks are the adjustment period. If you aren’t happy yet, do something about it. Give yourself a break and keep reminding yourself of the positives.
2. Going out—you have all year! You don’t need to try and have the craziest first half before fall break just to go home and tell stories. It’s cool to bond with friends and have fun stories from a simple girls’ night in or a pizza night. There is all year to party.
3. You will have 8ams, get over it. I still have them. But, if you can, try to schedule them on Tuesday/Thursday. Although they are a bit longer, you will have avoided Monday mornings (for which no one can wake up) and Friday mornings (which can be challenging based on your choice of Thursday night activities J).
4. Your friends from home, if they truly are your real friends, will always be there for you. They may not be there for you 24/7 or talk to you as much as you are used to, but remember they are going through the same transition you are. Plus it makes for a more interesting break when you’re home catching up.
5. You don’t need your car this year. Yes getting to target or CVS might be a little more of a time commitment, but you are a walk away from the shuttle and everything on campus. So don’t complain to your parents you feel trapped. Once you’re a sophomore and live more then a mile off campus and don’t have a car then you’ll realize how nice it was to take one shuttle to get to a store.
6. Befriend your desk attendant because you will lose your ID or come in late and not have it! These kind people really have your back.
7. Career Development Center (CDC)—- I think it is more common for freshmen to come in not having any idea what they want to study. That’s good. Your window of opportunity is wide open! Although “undeclared” sounds ambiguous; it is also very overwhelming. One of the many SJU resources, one of my favorites is the Career Development Center. If you haven’t already, it is worth your time to check it out. When I heard “Career Center” I immediately thought it must be for seniors trying to get a job after graduation, but the counselors there help with everything from what to major/ minor in to how to fix up your resume. They are there to help anyone who is willing. They are not just a place for upper classmen. Take the walk or shuttle to Moore Hall and sign up for a meeting!
START EARLY.
8. He may tell you everything you wish to hear, but mostly likely he has another motive in mind. Have fun, be open-minded, but make sure you are looking out for number one, yourself.
9. No one looks at your Facebook photos as much as you do, so go out, have fun, and take pictures! Just remember the excessive photos can be a little much. Make sure they don’t have any clear signs of drinking/partying in them because once a picture or comment is on the internet, it’s hard to get rid of it.
10. Be careful what shoes you wear out, most likely they will get dirty or spilled on. So think twice about style vs comfort vs expense.
11. Check in with your parents. Personally, I came to school and wanted to feel free, but they are the ones who helped you get to SJU. So send a little good morning or good night text so they know you are okay.
12. From personal experience, your “Swipe” is your life—do not lose it. DO NOT LOSE IT, the expenses will add up.
13. I love blasting music, but keep in mind that loud noise attracts the attention of the RA’s and no one likes writing you up.
14. Getting to the City is easy and cheap if you take a train—get familiar with being able to access it. It’s a great way to be able to escape campus and explore. Overbrook station is maybe a mile from campus if you walk down City Ave Past the Field Hockey Field. If you Google Septa and click Regional Rail, Thorndale line, the schedules are on there under Overbrook station and you can get off at any stop in Philly depending on where you wish to end up.
Also if you plan to take the train home, take note that there are many stations on the East Coast named Penn Station – I’m a Jersey girl who ended up in NYC Penn station – TWICE!
15. The Perch has free drinks (from a soda machine), and cups! Take advantage — things usually aren’t free.
16. Funny saying this, but as tempting as it can be, don’t come in and buy a ton of SJU gear. With the variety of actives you join you will be getting many free shirts, shorts, etc.
17. Do not buy all your books at the bookstore. Search for deals on Amazon and other sites. I made the mistake of at mistake first semester and could have saved a ton of money.
18. People dress up here, I’m not saying wear maxi dresses and wedges to class, but look presentable for yourself and as a way of showing respect to your teachers.
19. Speaking of dressing up, I don’t think a crop top and high wasted shorts are really something to wear during the day when you want your professors and peers to take you seriously. Save those cute outfits for other activities, you will have many nights throughout the year to wear them and take photos!
20. If you are crossing over City Avenue, leave an extra few minutes to get to class. The city ave crossing light is annoying and you will get stuck… I know I do every time I cross. Just wait . . .
21. Try not to walk to every class with headphones. That gives off a vibe that you are unapproachable. Everyone here is friendly — walk with your head high and you’ll find us all!
22. Do not wait until Sunday night or afternoon to do your laundry. Go on off times. I found mornings during the week or a random Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon is a great time to get it done efficiently.
23. On that same note, when you walk to class try to not walk and text, it makes you unapproachable again and you miss out on friendly faces walking by because you’re looking at Instagram or what not. You want to get to class on time and efficiently so if you are there early then you can scroll through twitter, but don’t try and multitask when you’re walking. You might fall.
24. Speaking of Twitter, be careful what you put on social media in terms of talking or saying where you are at SJU! Someone official may be watching — You don’t need to be getting in trouble or followed on social media, which should be for fun.
25. In terms of getting in trouble regardless of what it is, it’s freshmen year, it’s not the end of the world. Be smart, be safe. Let yourself make subtle mistakes.
With all these tips in mind, have fun, soak everything up, but most of all you are at college to become who you want to be! Make friends, make connections, join activities but make sure at the end of the day you are your main priority. As selfish as this sounds, you’re the one who choose to come here to advance your life!