The transition from high school to college is a leap most freshmen must take. It comes with many challenges, but there are strategies incoming students can use to make the most of their college experience.
Upperclassmen Elie Vannarsdall and Talia Steuernagel reflected on their time at SRU and gave advice to incoming students.
Both students agreed that joining clubs and organizations changed the trajectory of their college experience.
Vannarsdall, a junior majoring in communication studies, is the president of Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance (FMLA) at SRU.
“Finding FMLA my freshman year was incredible for me,” Vannarsdall said. “Being in a position of leadership also made me discover skills and passions within myself.”
Vannarsdall said the organization gave her a “purpose outside of [her] academics” and an opportunity to meet new friends.
Steuernagel, a senior studying digital media production, is vice president of WSRU-TV.
“[WSRU-TV] has given me so many friends and also an immense amount of experience in my field,” Steuernagel said. “I have also been able to network with many people and make great connections with them.”
Freshmen can experience both academic and social stress. Class patterns are different from high school, and many students start out knowing nobody.
Vannarsdall suggested that freshmen do their best to step out of their comfort zone.
“Leave your dorm,” Vannarsdall said. “Freshman year is the best time to socialize and meet new people because everyone around you is in the same position.”
Both upperclassmen gave academic advice to freshmen.
Steuernagel advised students to not fall behind. “Keep a planner and work on one thing at a time,” she said. “Also, go to your professors’ student consultation hours.”
“Physically write down notes and keep them,” Vannarsdall said. “It might take up some space in your bag, but writing by hand does wonders for your memory.”
Vannarsdall stressed the importance of mental health for incoming students.
“Utilize on-campus resources and take good care of your mental health,” Vannarsdall said. “Counseling is free at SRU.”
Steuernagel reflected on her time as a freshman and what she would tell her past self.
“If I could go back to freshman year and say one thing, I would say, soak in every single moment, because you don’t realize how fast college goes,” she said.
