By Alora Peters, Arts & Culture Editor
The freshman year of college can be a novel, exciting, and life-changing experience. But adjusting to college life can be difficult: a heavier classload, confusing homework assignments, fun-yet-exhausting extracurricular activities, an unfamiliar campus far from home, and trying to sleep in a strange—and maybe uncomfortable—bed can all be stressful situations. Sometimes, for a first-year college student, all of these new scenarios can tend to pile up, resulting in one massive, traumatic mess.
So, what is a freshman to do?
Remembering to take good care of your mental, physical, psychological, and spiritual wellbeing is the first crucial step to ensuring the first year of college is an excellent one. Here at Saint Leo University, there are a variety of services and organizations that are designed with this important goal in mind.
Several of these resources are currently stationed in Saint Francis Hall, such as the university’s Counseling Services, University Ministry, and Green Dot.
Confidential reporting can also be conducted with all three of these organizations.
However, students should take advantage not only of the wellness resources available on Saint Leo’s campus—they should take advantage of recreational and educational resources as well.
“Never be afraid to try new things and get out of your comfort zone,” said Melanie Ramos, who is a Resident Assistant in Henderson Hall. “Great things come out of the comfort zone. Enjoy this new step in life and be open to learn new things.”
Student Activities and the Campus Activities Board are dedicated to providing fun events for students to enjoy and, hopefully, to build friendships.
“Get involved,” said Adam Keselicka, who is an RA in Benoit. “You never know who you will meet at different clubs and programs.”
Thirdly, first year students need to remember to stay balanced and organized.
Though college life is the perfect opportunity to become involved with the community and to learn new things, it is important for students to avoid overextending themselves and suffering from burnout or social exhaustion. This is where learning to plan ahead is a vital element of adjusting to college life.
“The advice I would give to incoming freshmen would be to be on time to events, classes, meetings, write important stuff down,” said Keselicka. “If you’re not sure if something is important or not, write it down anyway. It is best to be prepared.”
Finally, it is important for first year students to remember that they are not alone in their college journey.
“There is a community of people here at Saint Leo that is here to help you have not only a successful first year, but a successful four years here,” said Khepre Bailey, another RA working in Benoit.
For first year residential students facing difficulties adjusting, talking with an RA can be a relieving and rewarding experience. RAs are there “to intentionally foster and develop strong, positive communities and assist… resident students”—new students should not hesitate to speak with their RAs if they have a concern or problem and are looking for someone to talk to.
