Being a first-time college student can be an exciting milestone in one’s life, but it can also be extremely intimidating. More than likely, this is your first chance at living on your own away from family. Trying to balance coursework, employment, and a social life all while being in a new environment can be tricky. However, once figured out, the result is always rewarding.
As a seasoned Lock Haven senior, I composed a list of five pieces of advice for freshmen in order to help them maximize their years at Lock Haven University while also making them successful. So, listen up freshman!
Get active on-campus – This is a piece of advice that you probably have heard dozens of times now from open houses to new student orientation. However, it’s true! One of the best ways to feel like you’re connected and belong on-campus is by joining a club or organization. It wasn’t until I joined my first club that I started to actually enjoy college. Plus, I’ve made several very close friends because of it. There are over 100 clubs and organizations to choose from at LHU, meaning there’s something for everyone. Check out this link to browse through the different options. Don’t hesitate to contact club leadership to learn more about the organizations you’re interested in. Also, be sure to stay tuned for information about upcoming club and involvement fairs. This is a great way to check out different organizations and speak to members first-hand.
Establish a good relationship with your academic advisor – This is another piece of advice that you’ve probably already heard; however, it’s a crucial part of your academic access here at LHU. Each student will be assigned an academic advisor within her/her major department. Make sure to establish a good relationship with this person because you’ll be seeing him/her a lot within four years! For instance, this will be your go-to-person around scheduling season so you stay on-track to graduate on-time as well as get approved to actually schedule your courses through myHaven. Your advisor will also have to sign various forms and paperwork necessary for graduation or even adding/subtracting a major or minor. If you don’t seem to connect with your advisor, feel free to change it to another professor in your department whom you like and would enjoying visiting.
Try out an on-campus job – On-campus employment has several benefits for students. It provides a close and convenient location to work and allows you to earn some money to put toward your education. Additionally, you can build connections and potential references. Many campus jobs will keep you semester after semester if you can demonstrate that you’re a good, hardworking employee. You can also meet friends outside of your major through campus employment. Again, I met my best friend through an on-campus job opportunity. Be sure to check out the weekly Student Activities email regularly or contact the Career Center in Ulmer to find out what places are hiring.
Befriend someone in each of your classes/Befriend an on-campus resident if commuting – Knowing someone in each one of your courses will make going to class more enjoyable for you. Seeing a familiar face, especially in your larger gen-ed classes, might make your classroom experience less nerve-wracking. No one likes walking into a class not recognizing or knowing anyone. Plus, if you happen to miss class, you can get notes from them without having to ask the professor. You can also study together for exams and have a partner to work with on group assignments and projects. If you commute to college and don’t live on campus, it can be even more challenging to make friends and feel connected. Trust me, I lived that for half of my college experience. Take the opportunity to make friends, through the avenues I listed previously, to gain a sense of belonging. It’s helpful to befriend someone who lives on-campus that way you have a potential place to stay in case of emergencies, such as late-night studying, activities, or classes as well as poor weather conditions.
Utilize free on-campus resources – My final piece of advice is to utilize the various free resources provided on-campus at LHU. There’s a whole bunch of them! If you’re struggling in a class, visit your professor during his/her office hours or check out the tutoring services provided in the library and Robinson Hall. In need of a computer to work on school work? Visit one of the many computer labs located around campus or borrow a laptop from Media Services, located on the second floor of the library. Nervous about an upcoming presentation because you don’t have nice dress clothes in your dorm room? No worries! The Career Center in Ulmer has a large closet full of business causal and professional clothes that students can loan out to make them feel confident while also satisfying assignment requirements.
Each piece of advice that I’ve given is coming from someone who has done each one of these them. And, I’m convinced that my college experience has drastly enhanced because of these tips. Therefore, try some out and see what happens. I’d be willing to bet that they’ll help you enjoy your time at LHU way more if you do!
Kerri Hoover
Kerri Hoover is in her third year working on the Eagle Eye staff and currently serves as the President and Editor-in-Chief. As a Lock Haven University senior, she majors in Communication with a triple-concentration focus in Advertising & Public Relations, Electronic Media, and Journalism. With her versatile skill set, Kerri hopes to pursue a career working as a social media content creator, journalist, or video editor. On the rare occasion Kerri isn’t working in the newsroom, she can be found hanging out with her friends, working at the PUB, or creating content for the LHU Media and Journalism Department.
