So, I’m assuming some of you guys have already been accepted (ED) to the class of 2024! If that’s the case – wooohoo!!!! Get excited! In honor of that, I thought I would share some tips I’ve learned this semester while being on the Hill.
Top 10 First Year Tips
- Decorate your room in a way that will inspire you. You always want to come back to a room that feels like home, not some place that feels like a hotel.
- Don’t be afraid of communal bathrooms. After a while, you get used to them. Trust me, everyone is going through the same shock.
- Bring a Winter Parka! You will need it sooner than you think, but maybe I’m just biased since I’m from Florida. At the latest, bring it back after Fall Break.
- Make time to call your parents. You will be busier than you think, especially if you join a lot of extracurricular activities or are on an athletic team. It’s easy to go days without talking to your parents, but make time to call them – it’ll help to prevent homesickness.
- Learn to embrace walking up stairs. Holy Cross is on a hill – there is no way of escaping stairs. You might as well embrace them, or even make them part of your workout routine.
- Take care of your physical health. It’s easy to get caught up in all your free time and in Kimball’s desert bar; however, it’s essential for you to take care of your body. Eat a salad. Go to the gym. Get some sleep.
- Take care of your mental health. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, there are many resources on campus. Get a cookie from the Chaplain’s house. Go to the counseling center. Talk to your friends or RA. If you’re struggling with a class, talk to your professors. Resources are all around you, so take advantage of them.
- Incorporate laundry to your weekly routine. It’s a horrible feeling knowing you have a million things to do and nothing to wear. By scheduling in laundry, you will always be on top of it!
- BRING A FAN. Since the dorms only have heaters, the first few months of college are brutally hot. Bring a fan – trust me, you will be grateful.
- Be a little vulnerable. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and be your most authentic self. You will find friends that are meaningful and similar to you – trust the process!
