Advice I would give my first-year self:

1. Don’t forget the importance of clubs!
When I started college, I promised myself I’d take a 'break' from extracurricular activities because in high school, they often felt overwhelming and added too much to my workload. However, I quickly realized that in college, clubs don’t have to be another burden. In fact, they’re one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to connect with campus life and meet new people! If you’re worried about balancing commitments, don’t worry—there are plenty of clubs with low time requirements, so you can get involved without feeling overwhelmed.

2. Take advantage of your proximity to other students!
The dorm style of first-year living really encourages connecting with your neighbors. The smaller room sizes naturally lead people to spend more time in common areas, making it easier to meet others. Additionally, college houses frequently host events like pumpkin painting, pancake bars, apple picking, and more—sometimes daily, and almost always weekly. After your first year, it becomes less common to befriend your neighbors, so I’d definitely recommend taking full advantage of this unique opportunity to build connections early on.

3. Going to lecture and office hours
I know this might sound repetitive since everyone says it, but these things really do matter. Skipping lectures is the quickest way to fall behind. Even if you can’t fully focus, just being there and absorbing some of the material is much better than missing out entirely. As for office hours, I get that they’re not mandatory and might seem inconvenient, but they truly make a huge difference. If you’re struggling with a concept or assignment, going to office hours will save you time and frustration compared to spending hours trying to figure it out alone. Plus, they offer a great opportunity to connect with other students, TAs, and professors.

- Emma L.