Dear incoming freshmen,
My name is Hannah Sash, and I am a rising junior here, so I’d say I’ve had my fair share of experiences at the University of Rhode Island that have helped me grow. I wanted to write you a little letter giving you some advice to cool down those nerves. Without further ado, here are my tips and tricks to surviving your freshman year here at URI.
Surround yourself with good people
This may sound cliché, but it’s true. The people you surround yourself with will have a big impact on your college experience. Rest assured, it is common and normal to drift apart from people throughout the year. However, I can’t express how important it is to branch out of your comfort zone and meet new people. Everyone is in the same boat, and people want to meet you! When meeting new people, try to be as authentic as possible. People want to see the real you, so show them! Make sure you surround yourself with people who make YOU feel good about yourself. A friendship goes both ways, so make sure you are not only providing support, but getting it too.
Dorm life and roommates
When I first came to college, something I was most worried about was the dorm living situation. I never had to share a bedroom with someone growing up, so that made me really nervous. However, as stated above, everyone is in the same position! I recommend that on move-in day, you keep your door open and meet your neighbors. After all, you are going to be sharing the same walls as them for the entire year. You may need a favor from them from time to time, so it’s important to remain friendly. I would also recommend setting boundaries when looking for roommates. It is very important to set specific and realistic goals for yourself and your roommate so that the year can run as smoothly as possible. Maybe you want to have a friend over late at night; that’s completely fine. However, make sure you tell your roommate that you are expecting someone, and make sure it is ok with them. It is all about respect. As long as there is a mutual understanding of that, you will be fine!
Academic vs. social life
Let’s be real for a second here: when you get to college, the first thing you will want to do is go out and meet new people. The first couple of days is the perfect time to do this. I encourage you to go out and meet as many people as possible; you never know who is out there! With that being said, I encourage you to set a realistic schedule for yourself. Going out and having fun is important and crucial for college students. However, you need to set time for yourself to make sure you have all your academics in order. It is easy to get wrapped up in going out every night, especially when your friends are doing so. On the other hand, I urge you to think long term and commit yourself to prioritizing your studies. It is very easy to fall behind in your studies, so make sure you set boundaries for yourself. Don’t overthink it! You will be completely fine. Just make sure you have a healthy balance between social and academic life.
Take advantage of opportunities
College is full of new experiences and opportunities waiting for you to explore. Depending on what school you are in, there are so many jobs and on-campus opportunities to get involved in. For example, I am in the Harrington School of Communication and Media, and there are always internship opportunities available or social media jobs that are looking for students. I am sure that whatever school your major is part of, there are endless possibilities to get involved. I would also recommend joining a club that you feel aligns with your values and passions. There are so many clubs on campus that are always looking for new students to join. Clubs are a great way to elevate your resume and your experience at college.
Hopefully I have given you some tips and tricks to make your transition to college just a tad bit easier. Remember, college is what you make of it, so have fun!
