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Advice From Other
Veteran Students
Most students find the first year at college can be challenging,
and there are strategies they can use to help make their experience
a positive one. These ideas listed below are all from veteran
college students who have been through the experience; it is
their advice to other veteran students. Faculty can support
veteran students by sharing these thoughts from other veteran
students. Many of these ideas, apply equally well to other first-year
students.
· “Take it at your own pace. Don't compare your
success or progress to your roommate's or anyone else's. You
have your own set of needs and your own personality, so match
your expectations to them, not to someone else's.”
· “In the first few months, don't try anything
new that you haven't done before. You may feel vulnerable during
the first few months at college, feeling you're expected to
do certain things now that you're at college. It may involve
alcohol, sex, or drugs. Give yourself a chance to really explore
and let things settle down before making choices about how you're
going to behave in these situations. Some students feel bad
later on about how they acted during their first few months
at college. They went a little "wild," then felt that
their actions didn't really fit them, and they wanted to take
it all back.”
· “Build a support network. Your transition to
college life will be easier once you develop a network of people
you can talk to. Talk to older students about professors, course
offerings, and class requirements. Most colleges have resources
you can use, including tutors, counselors, and advisers. As
time goes on, you'll build a group of friends who may be able
to help or at least sympathize.”
· “Don't overlook your parents as a source of support.
Most likely, they want to help you but aren't sure how. They
are going through their own process of letting go of you. In
trying to respect your independence, they may appear aloof.
In trying to help, it may feel as though they're meddling.”
“You can help them by telling them how they can help.
Tell them if you want to speak with them on the phone more or
less often. If they say things that are not helpful, tell them
that you really just need them to listen instead of trying to
solve the problem or talk about their own college experiences.
Ask them to send you clippings from the local paper or send
your favorite cookies if that would make you feel more connected
to home.”
· “Find activities. Academics can be isolating,
and you need to budget time for activities that interest you.
This is an important part of finding your "niche,"
which will help college feel more like home. Find a club, a
chorus, a committee, or a social group that feels right for
you. Do volunteer work on or off campus. Many schools have community
service organizations to help you with this. To find other ways
to get involved, talk with your Resident Advisor (R.A.), read
the campus newspaper, or ask friends and professors for suggestions.”
· “You don't have to decide your future profession
right away. Once you're in college, many people will ask you
what your major is. It's OK if you don't know what you want
to do yet. College is a time for experimenting with different
interests and professions. You may have entered college thinking
you want to be a teacher, but find that you really enjoy chemistry
and want to consider pre-med. You may discover you are a good
writer and shift your sights from law to journalism. You may
have a dynamic engineering professor who gets you interested
in that field. Finding new passions and changing your mind about
your major and your career goals is a normal part of being in
college. Use the opportunity to explore, and don't feel you
need to make these big decisions early on.”
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