By Rachel Alvarado
Throughout university, I had the best opportunity: working in the residential education office. Yes, I was an RA and I saw many students face similar obstacles throughout their first and following years of university. A big part of college requires you to figure out what works best for you, but below you’ll find some things that benefited many! Overall, take from this what you’d like and keep an open mind!
Writing
Inarguably one of the best websites out there is WordHippo. I worked in the writing center on my campus and I frequently saw students stress about the words they used throughout their writing. I always recommended WordHippo. The website is user-friendly and can provide synonyms, antonyms, and so much more! Yes, the website looks like it was made for children, but that’s part of the fun!
Choosing Classes
If you find yourself on the fence about taking a course, I would recommend speaking with your advisor. Generally, they’ll be able to give you some information about the professor, their teaching style, and if your advisor knows you well, how’d you enjoy the course. Additionally, I recommend speaking with other students who have previously taken the course - they can offer an honest look into the course.
Making Friends
Floor socials are a great way to meet the people on your floor and make new friends. Meeting people in undergrad can be easy for some, but not for all. If you find yourself struggling to meet friends, floor socials are a great way to meet the people in your building. Additionally, floor socials tend to have some tasty snacks and extras you can take with you for when you’re studying later!
Buying Books
Often, the books needed for a course are available in your campus’s library. Although you may not be able to find the access code for the class, you may find the textbook or a previous edition. I recommend checking your library or asking if they know of other resources to find the books you need for a lower price!
Inviting Change and Growth
There’s a chance you’ll go into university with a clear idea of what you want to study and where you want to be at the end of undergrad, but do not fear changing your plan. I watched students love their classes and I watched students stress about changing their majors. Changing your mind or field of study is normal. Growth cannot occur without change. If you find yourself feeling uncomfortable, it may be time to pivot into something new. Fear not and remember to be gentle with yourself as you make changes. You can handle it.