By Faith Eckley
Artwork by Rianna Varghese
“Being active in clubs now as a third year has had such a positive impact on my experience in school by connecting me with people I wouldn’t have been able to otherwise connect with,” said junior Sofia D'Arrigo.
A first year of college is a significant transition for many college students, considering it might be their first time away from home. This year opens up doors to new experiences, opportunities, people, and the feeling of independence. However, it is necessary to acknowledge that adapting to a new life and the changes that it brings can be tough. College brings many different kinds of pressure and stress, so in order to help first-year students at Thomas Jefferson University navigate college, here are some pieces of advice on how to not only survive, but to be successful.
Keep a calendar and a to-do list in an agenda or an online platform to keep track of assignments, due dates, events, etc. Staying organized helps to keep you from feeling overwhelmed or forgetting important things. “A routine is really beneficial to maintaining a balanced lifestyle,” said sophomore Jess Cyriac.
Find the best study strategy that works for you. Whether it’s with a group at a cafe or finding a quiet space in the library, knowing which environment and systems help you work the most efficiently makes a big difference. “Romanticize your study experience by making sure the vibe is correct and don’t force yourself to study if you’re not feeling it at the moment,” said junior Karen Aleman.
Although it may feel intimidating at times, put yourself out there! Get to know the people around you by joining clubs and introducing yourself to new people. “In my experience, I joined clubs my freshman year and failed to stay consistent in attending meetings or participating in the clubs I joined. Because of this, I never got to experience a strong connection to these clubs and I regret it. Being active in clubs now as a third year has had such a positive impact on my experience in school by connecting me with people I wouldn’t have been able to otherwise connect with,” said junior Sofia D'Arrigo.
Take advantage of the various opportunities and facilities Jefferson offers, such as tutoring, free fitness center classes, First Year Experience (FYE) outings, and Campus Activities Board (CAB) events, including bingo. “I had my first spin class at Jefferson’s fitness center and it was so fun,” said sophomore Navya Palyam.
You may find yourself hearing and discovering new perspectives along with learning a lot about the world. College is all about growing as an individual. “It’s okay to change. You can grow as a person and roll with the punches,” said junior Blue Troiano.
Experience new friendships and the new environment. Meeting new people and getting to know the world around you is very valuable. “Do not forget to take time for yourself to rest, build friendships, and explore the new environment. Making new connections is just as important as your classes,” said sophomore Adrianne Boladas.
Self-care is very important. College can be hard and stressful, so find ways to relieve your stress and take care of your health whether it is meditating, reading for fun, working out, catching up on sleep, or spending some time with nature. “Try to always take care of your physical and mental health after a long day,” said sophomore Kelly Nguyen.
Do not procrastinate and let too much work overwhelm you. Go to the Academic Success Center for peer and professional tutoring, and attend those group review sessions held in Ravenhill Mansion and Downs! “It can be easy to get behind schedule so by splitting up work little by little, you can stay on top of things,” said junior Angela Stieber.
Try new things! “Go to different events in school and outside of school because you never know who you’ll meet. These are the years where you can make new friendships and have new experiences,” said sophomore Sarah Mutchnick.
Find enjoyment in learning. “I would urge students to cultivate curiosity whenever possible. How dull learning is if it is done without curiosity! Try to find enjoyment in some aspect of your learning. Doing so will allow you to appreciate your work more fully and to think about your learning as a project much larger and more significant than any specific assignment or class. Hold onto your work longer than you think you should. Don't throw work away! If you take notes on a source, [and] then you decide not to use those notes for an assignment, why trash that work? It may prove useful for another project in the future. Again, your learning is much larger than individual assignments or individual courses,” said writing Professor Bambrick.
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