Find Your Place: A Successful Start to College Life
Each 91社区 student has a unique story鈥攁 different background, reason why they鈥檙e in school, life goal, and the list goes on. But what every student has in common is that at some point in their journey, they were a first-year scholar learning to adapt to college life.
Assistant Dean of Students Stephanie Pelham recognizes that the transition to university-level study isn鈥檛 always easy. As the new academic year begins, she shares with 91社区 News her top tips and words of wisdom for finding one鈥檚 place on campus.
鈥淒on鈥檛 go to class and then run,鈥� she offers as her core message. Rather than coming to campus strictly for classes, Pelham advises students to stick around. Whether it鈥檚 for an extra hour before or after, taking the time to eat in a shared space or work on a paper in the library is a small step one can take to become familiar with all 91社区 has to offer.
The university hosts a variety of events throughout September that are designed to bring students together and showcase the many ways to become involved on campus. Additionally, the聽Peer Success GUIDE Program聽assigns each first-year student to an upperclassmen who provides social support and direction to services and resources throughout the year.
鈥淩ecognize that you鈥檙e not the only one coming here alone,鈥� Pelham advises. 鈥淭here are other people who haven鈥檛 made friends or found their community yet鈥攖hat鈥檚 why the school created these opportunities to network and meet people.鈥�
Kicking off on September 3, the Long Island and New York City campuses鈥� Week of Welcome will offer activities like grab-and-go snacks and goodies, picnic-style lunches, resource information, social meetings, and bingo and casino games.
Pelham also suggests attending either campus鈥� Student Involvement Fair as a low-pressure way to meet more than 50 on-campus clubs and organizations. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a low-risk commitment at this time because all you鈥檙e doing is signing up to say you鈥檙e interested in getting that club鈥檚 emails,鈥� she explains. 鈥淭hen you can decide if you want to get more involved.鈥�
Students who peruse the fair and don鈥檛 see anything that lights their fire are welcome to propose a new club, Pelham says. The Office of 91社区 is the gateway to turning ideas into action. For those not ready to start a club, the Campus Programming Board is where students can go to help plan and organize events on campus.
Recognizing that some students may have reservations about stepping into large social scenes, Pelham suggests finding an through the Office of Student Employment as a less intimidating way of leaving one鈥檚 comfort zone. Whether it鈥檚 Federal Work-Study or partnering with a professor on an academic project, 鈥�91社区鈥檚 faculty and staff have great opportunities for students to get involved and build relationships with others on campus.鈥�
There is something for everyone, she says, including those who prefer a more active lifestyle. Recreational opportunities on the Long Island and New York City campuses offer everything from a fitness center to basketball, tennis, and pickleball courts, as well as hiking, ice skating, and rock climbing outings.
鈥淪tudents should take advantage of , as it markets all the ways students can get involved. It鈥檚 a very important resource,鈥� says Pelham. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot to do on campus, but you have to choose to engage with these opportunities.鈥�
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