New SNU-dents! School has started again as the campus is more alive than ever with students buzzing to their classes this fall semester. Understandably, the first year of college or your first year at a new school can seem daunting and overwhelming, but don’t fret! There is plenty of time to get accustomed to college life here at SNU. This article will contain advice and messages from older students to new ones on how they can get the most out of their college experience.
College is a big step up from high school, and it can seem challenging to balance classes, homework, and free time, which can lead to stress and anxiety. However, the solution is relatively simple. Snowbarger hall RA Braden Glover’s advice for balancing classes revolves around organization. “Being organized and on top of your classes is all you need to do to be successful in college,” said Glover. “When you have a plan and routine to study and complete your homework, college is a piece of cake.”
Now, some would say that you can do even more to help with classes. Another Snowbarger RA, Brock Eltiste, says that attendance in class is crucial for success. “At SNU, going to class and being involved and participating shows the professors that you care, which goes a long way,” said Eltiste. “This helps if you are having trouble in class because if you ask the professor for extra credit, they are more likely to say yes if you participate in class.”
Professors are always available to help as well. Personally, I have never had a moment where a professor wasn’t willing to help me with anything at all. I’ve gone to my professors for help with everything, whether that be educational reasons, personal dilemmas, or even advice on new movies to watch or the best places to get food around town. The faculty here at SNU is a great resource to meet new people and as well as references for opportunities in your desired field.
Finally, SNU is no stranger to fun around campus. SGA puts on events for students throughout the school year as a chance to get involved. Senior Claire Simpson says that new students should go to as many events as they can. “Sometimes you might not feel like going to one of the events on campus, but they are an excellent way to meet really cool people that you might not have met if you didn’t go,” said Simpson. “But don’t use the events as an excuse to not study or do your homework, that comes first!”
College life can be overwhelming at times, but it is important to be organized, involved, and to just let go and have fun. These moments are ones you will cherish for the rest of your lives. Another senior Trey Leep said that the most important thing, “is to take life one day at a time.” Which reminded me of my favorite life advice I was ever given, which came from the 1986 movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” which said, “Life moves pretty fast, if you don’t stop to look around once in a while, you might miss it.”
Photo by Aaron Bacewicz