We are officially halfway through the semester at UConn! Since this is my first time here, I’ve been reflecting on what I’ve learned so far. I compiled a list that will hopefully help everyone, especially incoming freshmen, with navigating the college experience.
- Take Care of Yourself
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It’s really easy to fall into a cycle of class, homework, friends, sleep, and repeat. However, it’s crucial that you take some time every day for yourself. This can be as simple as doing a complete skincare routine, eating a good meal, or watching an episode of a show you like. Taking time for myself has helped me avoid burnout, especially during midterm season, and kept me healthy.
- It Always Rains on Tuesdays
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This is very UConn-specific, but what I’ve heard from UConn grads and students alike is true— it always rains on Tuesdays. Since learning this the hard way, I now dress ready for the rain on Tuesdays and am always thankful for it. A good pair of rain boots and a rain jacket will save you a lot of disappointment when you walk out of class to find it pouring.
- Learn the Bus System
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Sometimes, an umbrella isn’t enough to combat the rain, and it won’t help once the winter weather hits. The buses can be really useful when your back-to-back classes are across campus from each other.
- Learn Your Learning Habits
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Auditory, visual, hands-on? Try out a few different methods when studying, then incorporate them into your lectures. For example, if you learn best both auditory and visually, make sure to download the lecture slides from that day’s class and take notes on what the professor is saying with each slide. Once you know your learning habits, studying will be so much more effective, and classes will become a bit easier.
- Everyone is Trying to Figure it Out
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What they say is true: everyone is truly trying to figure it out. For the first time in our lives, there are no more 7:00 am to 2:00 pm consecutive classes, no more seeing the exact same people every day, and no more typical home environment. So make an active effort to talk to people when you see them in the hallway. If someone looks confused while doing their laundry, help them out, and make a friend in each of your classes. UConn so far has shown me how you can meet wonderful, welcoming people everywhere you go, and I wish I would have known that the moment I arrived.
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UConn has truly become my second home, and I can’t wait to learn more as the semesters continue. To any prospective students, I hope this helped make the idea of a big school like ours a bit less scary.