Coming into SXU my first year, I was terrified. It was a new environment, new people, new classes. I had just moved in with my grandmother to make my commute easier, so I was also transitioning from being away from my parents and sisters. I was also going to start in a place where my success would affect the rest of my life. I plan on going to medical school and how well I do here weighs heavily on if that will be my post-undergraduate choice. That being said, I wish I had somebody to tell me what I should do starting as a first-year. Here is a list of things I did as a first year and some additional advice.
- Get involved on campus.
I am so thankful and happy that I dived right into attending club meetings and events. I have met so many people along the way and made some lifelong friends from joining a variety of RSO’s. Especially if you only go to class and socialize with a majority of the people within your major, it’s difficult to branch out. Some of these people I wouldn’t have met otherwise, or realized that we have a lot in common due to the club that we are in together. Also, being involved has shown me how all of the core values come into play; respect, excellence, compassion, service, hospitality, integrity, diversity, and learning for life. The amazing thing about SXU is that we have a broad range of different RSO’s on campus that means that you are bound to find something that interests you. There are so many memories I have from my first year and forward. I encourage you all to get out there and experience what SXU has to offer in regards to student organizations, you might find one, hopefully even more, that you are really passionate about.
2. Utilize your resources.
If you are struggling in a class, or simply need some extra help, go get it. There are so many resources on campus that can and will help you. The Learning Center has been my best friend every semester when I feel like I didn’t understand concepts we were going over in class. If they don’t offer tutoring for your specific class, talk to your professor. They are your biggest resource and I have always had positive experiences meeting one-on-one with my professor and asking questions. They will walk you through it, give you tips, and even offer additional resources to help you. The library is always another good resource, we have a beautiful library with a vast variety of textbooks and books on a range of subjects. Your peers are also another good source of help. I have a study group for every course and we go through material covered in class weekly and schedule study sessions before every exam. You might be surprised how much help another student in your class can be.
3. Take on leadership roles.
SXU has a variety of leadership opportunities on campus, even as first years. A great example is our first-year student ambassador program. I am a student ambassador now and it is such a great experience. If I knew about it my first-year, I would’ve joined right away. This is a great way to start getting involved and begin your leadership skills, you get to speak on panels with a lot of tours that come in to SXU and tell them your experiences. Another option is, if you are an active member of a club and find that this is something you are really passionate about, see if they have first-year board member positions.
4. Get to know your professors.
I don’t mean get to know your professors as in their entire resume, their qualifications, etc. I mean get to know them for who they are. Our professors are amazing, intellectual people that have more to them than the subject they teach. I can not tell you how good of a feeling it is when you get to know your professor so well that you end up going to their office hours just to chat on the daily. Seeing them in the hallway and them knowing you by your name and saying hello is an outstanding feeling. I have built such a good relationship with many of my mentors and professors. What makes that even better is that they know the real me, personality and the entire package. They see more to me as what I appear on paper and I get to know them outside of what I see in lecture.
5. Have fun.
Yes, college is serious. It’s not all fun and games, but that doesn’t mean it never is. Take your classes seriously, get involved, get to know your professors, take on leadership— but don’t forget to have fun. Relax and take a step back and just process all the amazing things that you have done. Remember that college is also about the experience, and in the process of doing all of the other things I listed above, make memories and enjoy what you’re doing because you want to do it. Make the most out of this university, believe me when I say time flies.
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