Advice for Freshmen
I’ve taken the liberty to compile a selection of my own personal advice, and the advice of other upperclassmen. They are sorted into three sections, but this is based on fairly arbitrary distinctions and they all build off of each other.
On Academic Success:
USE FREE TUTORING!!! There is a reason that all of your professors tell you to do this.
There are people who know what you need to know and are literally paid to tell it to you.
It forces you to do the work.
If you go to group sessions, you get to know the other people in your class.
Teaching things to others helps you learn yourself.
For Individual Tutoring: Go to IRIS → (Students) Tutoring → Type in the course ID (eg, HUM 110) → Find someone who says they do that class → Book This Tutor → Check their upcoming schedule → Input the time that is right for you. Then go to the appointment!
Go to office hours! Tutors can answer most of your questions, but this is a great option for when you’ve got questions that a fellow student can’t answer, like, “Can I do topic x for my project?”Also, this helps you build relationships with your professors!
Get a planner system and schedule that works for you, whether digital or in a book. Whiteboards and sticky notes can also be useful.
Ask a question or make a comment at least once a conference (barring extraordinary circumstances), even if it doesn’t seem like much. To a professor, this is a bare minimum that shows that you have some semblance of interest in the class and at least took a shot at the reading.
Don’t mess around doing other stuff on your laptop during class. The professors can tell and so can everyone else.
Take active notes. Even if you never use them, just writing notes down internalizes the concepts more effectively and forces you to engage with the material.
Check your email regularly, but don’t let it become a nervous habit.
Keep in touch with your motivations. Make sure that what you're doing is what you feel aligns with your goals and ideals. Let your internal moral compass guide your path, so to speak.
On Making Friends:
Don’t beat yourself up if things take time. You can’t force friendship, so just work on making small connections over a while.
Be respectful, courteous, and humble.
Everybody is more or less in the same boat, so go up and talk to new people. You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. If you feel awkward about it, remember literally everyone here either has been or is currently in the same situation as you.
Reedies can often be cliquish, but don’t let this intimidate you. If you can’t seem to find your way into an already established group, then make your own. Form a study group, host a game night, and then take already established singular friends and introduce them to each other for a group that is greater than the sum of its parts.
Compliment people and spread positivity. It’s a great way to initiate contact, it’s likely to make someone’s day, and you might even get a nice one right back at you.
Don’t be afraid to go to new places. You’re allowed to go hang out with people from floors and buildings you don’t live in, and if your current floormates aren’t exactly your cup of tea, expand your horizons!
You’re also allowed to hang out in public spaces. Even if you’re alone, hang out in your common room and see if anyone joins you. They might be waiting for someone to make the first move. Even if they were just filling up a water bottle, a quick friendly smile and wave never hurts.
Go to events, lectures, clubs, and whatever. If you like it, you’ve just found a brand new community! If you don’t like it, you’re allowed to leave.
Never feel socially obligated to partake in illicit activities you don’t feel comfortable partaking in. Personally, I have found that most people will not think any less of you, and if they do, then do you really want them to be your friends?
On Physically Hanging In There:
Drink lots of water. Bet. You won’t. It keeps your body functioning and. as an added bonus, can help you wake up in the morning if you have to pee.
Cookies and soda, as tasty as they are, do not make a balanced breakfast. Take care of your body, m’kay?
Keep your room clean. Tripping hazards and bug attractors do not make for happy Reedies.
Sleep is good. Do yourself and those around you a favor by keeping a semi-regular sleep schedule.
You can eat at places other than Commons! There are plenty of good places within walking distance, so if you miss Commons hours or just can’t stand whatever’s for dinner, eat somewhere else.
Keep some healthy snacks/emergency dinners in your dorm. It may take a bit to figure out which ones you want, but start with dried fruits and nuts (or fresh fruit if you’re sure you’ll eat it) and stuff like instant ramen that you can easily prepare in your dorm!
This is by no means a completed list, so if you happen to be in a class with some upperclassmen, ask them if they have any tips or stories! They probably do, are willing to share, and I promise they don’t bite (most of the time…LOL!).