4 answers
4 answers
Updated
Carol’s Answer
Hi Alexa!
Living on campus as a first year is a great opportunity to start off this new chapter of your life and familiarize yourself with a new enviromenmt filled with new people. It's so easy to meet fellow students when dorming, because a lot of times the dorms will host events for you to mingle and meet the other students. It's a great way to make friends - whether it be your roommates, floormates, or people that you see often around class/campus.
Another benefit of living on campus is being in close proximity to your classes/activities/events which might encourage you to be more involved in the clubs that interest you.
Some tips for living on-campus are:
-Make an effort to socialize with those that you see often in your dorms/classes - you never know who you might click with and who might be your life-long friend throughout college!
-Stay curious and try new things, even if they only interest you a little bit - there are countless clubs and groups on campus that would welcome new students with open arms.
-Come prepared during move-in weekend with a checklist of essentials that you'll need for both the dorm room and for class. (i.e. shower toiletries/bedding for your dorm, activewear for the gym/outdoor activities, notebooks and stationary for class, etc)
-Research your specific campus. For example, the university that I went to had bike paths all around campus and >60% of students used a bike to get to/from class since the campus is quite big. You might want to get a bike or skateboard if that's the culture of your campus!
-Check out the Facebook group pages for your campus. When I was in college, there was specific Facebook pages that you can join to sell/buy/trade items like textbooks, furniture, etc... used primarily by the student body. A lot of clubs often advertise on these Facebook pages as well. It can be a great resource!
Living on campus as a first year is a great opportunity to start off this new chapter of your life and familiarize yourself with a new enviromenmt filled with new people. It's so easy to meet fellow students when dorming, because a lot of times the dorms will host events for you to mingle and meet the other students. It's a great way to make friends - whether it be your roommates, floormates, or people that you see often around class/campus.
Another benefit of living on campus is being in close proximity to your classes/activities/events which might encourage you to be more involved in the clubs that interest you.
Some tips for living on-campus are:
-Make an effort to socialize with those that you see often in your dorms/classes - you never know who you might click with and who might be your life-long friend throughout college!
-Stay curious and try new things, even if they only interest you a little bit - there are countless clubs and groups on campus that would welcome new students with open arms.
-Come prepared during move-in weekend with a checklist of essentials that you'll need for both the dorm room and for class. (i.e. shower toiletries/bedding for your dorm, activewear for the gym/outdoor activities, notebooks and stationary for class, etc)
-Research your specific campus. For example, the university that I went to had bike paths all around campus and >60% of students used a bike to get to/from class since the campus is quite big. You might want to get a bike or skateboard if that's the culture of your campus!
-Check out the Facebook group pages for your campus. When I was in college, there was specific Facebook pages that you can join to sell/buy/trade items like textbooks, furniture, etc... used primarily by the student body. A lot of clubs often advertise on these Facebook pages as well. It can be a great resource!
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Alexa,
Good question! Living on campus can be a fantastic experience! Here are some tips to help you prepare and make the most of it:
1. Get to Know Your Roommate: Communicate early to set expectations and build a positive relationship.
2. Pack Essentials Wisely: Don’t overpack; bring only what you need and what makes you feel at home.
3. Stay Organized: Keep your space tidy to reduce stress and improve productivity.
4. Join Campus Activities: Get involved in clubs and events to meet new people and make friends.
5. Manage Your Time: Balance academics, social life, and self-care to stay healthy and happy.
Embrace the adventure and enjoy every moment,
Best wishes!
Good question! Living on campus can be a fantastic experience! Here are some tips to help you prepare and make the most of it:
1. Get to Know Your Roommate: Communicate early to set expectations and build a positive relationship.
2. Pack Essentials Wisely: Don’t overpack; bring only what you need and what makes you feel at home.
3. Stay Organized: Keep your space tidy to reduce stress and improve productivity.
4. Join Campus Activities: Get involved in clubs and events to meet new people and make friends.
5. Manage Your Time: Balance academics, social life, and self-care to stay healthy and happy.
Embrace the adventure and enjoy every moment,
Best wishes!
Updated
Jason’s Answer
Hey Alexa,
Great question. One of the first things to note is that many schools will encourage or make students live on campus freshman year for good reasons. They want to ensure they get acclimated to school and embrace the campus environment. They want them to be as close to all the resources the school has to offer as they can get. Often times they have statistics that show students who live on campus have higher GPA's and potentially overall outcomes as a result on average.
My primary advice is to embrace it. There are few times in your life that will be like the fall semester of your freshman year of college. From the newness of campus life to the social events and sports. It's an overwhelming but truly insightful time. You have the chances to get involved in new clubs and courses you never knew existed. You have the ability to explore your interests in a place that is curated for exploration. Be willing to try new things, meet new people, get out your shell a bit and take some calculated risks.
My other advice is to read your tuition and fee schedule. See all of the various things that your money is paying for. From sporting events and fine arts, to counseling and tutoring services. I always advise students to make sure that they ensure that they use or attend events for each of those fees listed. Get the most for your money and get the most of your college experience.
Great question. One of the first things to note is that many schools will encourage or make students live on campus freshman year for good reasons. They want to ensure they get acclimated to school and embrace the campus environment. They want them to be as close to all the resources the school has to offer as they can get. Often times they have statistics that show students who live on campus have higher GPA's and potentially overall outcomes as a result on average.
My primary advice is to embrace it. There are few times in your life that will be like the fall semester of your freshman year of college. From the newness of campus life to the social events and sports. It's an overwhelming but truly insightful time. You have the chances to get involved in new clubs and courses you never knew existed. You have the ability to explore your interests in a place that is curated for exploration. Be willing to try new things, meet new people, get out your shell a bit and take some calculated risks.
My other advice is to read your tuition and fee schedule. See all of the various things that your money is paying for. From sporting events and fine arts, to counseling and tutoring services. I always advise students to make sure that they ensure that they use or attend events for each of those fees listed. Get the most for your money and get the most of your college experience.
Updated
Emily’s Answer
Hello Alexa,
Living on campus for the first time is an exciting but sometimes overwhelming experience from time to time for being on your own. When you get your room assigned, try to get a floor plan or ask about the dimensions of the space so it'll help you plan out what to bring and how to arrange your belongings. Dorm rooms tend to be smaller, so think about ways to maximize storage (under-bed storage, hanging organizers, etc). Be sure to also check in with your school's rules about what's allowed for decor (like posters, lights, etc), and have fun personalizing your room however you want!
Alongside with packing, try to make it light. Stick to the basics for clothing and personal items that you would need the most. These can be bed linens, shower supplies, a fan for your room once it gets hotter, and a mini fridge or microwave (if allowed). You'll likely be able to do laundry easily on campus, so make sure you don't over-pack clothing or shoes. You can always buy other essentials you need once you arrive.
Your dorm with also have a lot of people in the same situation as you for starting out in college and moving. Get to know your roommate(s) early, set some boundaries, and establish good communication with them. This is a time for you when many people are learning how to live with others in a shared space, so you'll be meeting a lot of new people by just hanging out in common spaces.
College life can be very different from high school, and it can be easy to get distracted. Make sure you balance studying with social activities that you would want to participate in. Find quiet spaces to study throughout the campus. While your dorm room may not be best place to focus sometimes due to noise, your campus will have places like libraries and study lounges where you will be able to balance your time. Familiarize yourself with on-campus resources like the health center, counseling services, academic advising, and so forth so you will know who you will need to contact if you need any assistance with roommate issues, class concerns, or mental health support.
It's natural to miss home, especially if you're living away for the first time. Try to stay in touch with close family and friends but also making sure to build your own network at school. Every school is a little different, but starting the year prepared can make a big difference that'll help you out. And above all, don't forget to still have fun! College is a unique experience full of growth and new opportunities.
I hope this helps you out start getting prepared with your collegiate journey, and I wish you nothing but the best with these next 4 years!
Best Regards,
Emily Garcia
Living on campus for the first time is an exciting but sometimes overwhelming experience from time to time for being on your own. When you get your room assigned, try to get a floor plan or ask about the dimensions of the space so it'll help you plan out what to bring and how to arrange your belongings. Dorm rooms tend to be smaller, so think about ways to maximize storage (under-bed storage, hanging organizers, etc). Be sure to also check in with your school's rules about what's allowed for decor (like posters, lights, etc), and have fun personalizing your room however you want!
Alongside with packing, try to make it light. Stick to the basics for clothing and personal items that you would need the most. These can be bed linens, shower supplies, a fan for your room once it gets hotter, and a mini fridge or microwave (if allowed). You'll likely be able to do laundry easily on campus, so make sure you don't over-pack clothing or shoes. You can always buy other essentials you need once you arrive.
Your dorm with also have a lot of people in the same situation as you for starting out in college and moving. Get to know your roommate(s) early, set some boundaries, and establish good communication with them. This is a time for you when many people are learning how to live with others in a shared space, so you'll be meeting a lot of new people by just hanging out in common spaces.
College life can be very different from high school, and it can be easy to get distracted. Make sure you balance studying with social activities that you would want to participate in. Find quiet spaces to study throughout the campus. While your dorm room may not be best place to focus sometimes due to noise, your campus will have places like libraries and study lounges where you will be able to balance your time. Familiarize yourself with on-campus resources like the health center, counseling services, academic advising, and so forth so you will know who you will need to contact if you need any assistance with roommate issues, class concerns, or mental health support.
It's natural to miss home, especially if you're living away for the first time. Try to stay in touch with close family and friends but also making sure to build your own network at school. Every school is a little different, but starting the year prepared can make a big difference that'll help you out. And above all, don't forget to still have fun! College is a unique experience full of growth and new opportunities.
I hope this helps you out start getting prepared with your collegiate journey, and I wish you nothing but the best with these next 4 years!
Best Regards,
Emily Garcia