The first semester of college is an overwhelming one. Between new people, classes, living environments, clubs, and athletics, there’s a lot to take in. Even before moving in, many students receive a plethora of advice from family and friends. Often, time is the most helpful when adjusting to school, but the following four tips have helped me throughout my years at Lasell.
Create a routine and stick to it. Set aside time during your day, whether it be between classes or in the evening, to complete assignments and other tasks. If you keep up with this habit, you won’t think twice about sitting down to get your work done, as it will feel just as much a part of your day as going to class.
Having time during the day to do work will also help you to avoid procrastination. We’re all guilty of not starting an assignment until hours before it’s due, but it’s much less stressful to sit down and focus for an hour in the afternoon instead of scrambling at eleven o’clock at night.
Get involved. This is something I heard about a million times before I even stepped foot on campus, and then continued to hear for several more months after I got here. But I took it to heart, and I’m very grateful I did.
Join a club, any kind that sparks your interest. There are over 70 here, so you will most likely find at least one, whether it's related to your major or just for fun. If none are interesting to you, you and three other people can start your own by contacting the Office of Student Activities and Orientation.
There are also varsity, club, and intramural-level sports offered year-round. Being a part of multiple clubs has helped me build skills that will help me in my future career, and being on an athletic team has provided me with a great environment to take a break from classes and have fun. Getting involved has introduced me to so many people I otherwise never would have met, and I am very grateful I listened when people told me to get involved early on.
Get to know your professors. Since this is a small campus, professors get to know their students on a personal level, and many students have the same professors multiple times throughout their Lasell career. In my experience, professors here want the best for their students, so don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Go to their office hours and ask questions in class because making personal connections and showing interest will help you later when you’re looking for an internship and recommendation letters.
Lastly, call your parents. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of life on campus, but take the time to reach out. Text them to say hello or send a picture of campus, even if it’s as you’re rushing out the door. They miss you and want to hear from you.
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