Tips for a Successful and Happy First Year at a University

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Tips for a Successful and Happy First Year at a University

APRIL 2018

Hello, Centenary’s Incoming Freshman,

Congratulations on beginning this new and exciting chapter in your life! Not many people have the courage to embark on the journey that you are about to encounter. Now that I am at the end of my freshman year, I am here to help make your transition to a University much easier by giving you tips on how to have a happy and successful first year.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Staff is always willing to answer any questions that students may have in order to ensure a great experience. Here at Centenary, the First Year Leaders, who are peer mentors, are great resources to talk to about finding out information, ways to get involved on campus, or even how to get a tutor for various classes.

Get involved.

There are plenty of ways to get involved! A schedule of major events for the week is sent out to students weekly. There are many clubs or sports teams that students can join, which allow students to share their interest with like-minded students. There are also many campus jobs to apply for such as a lifeguard, tutor, or a tour guide.

Speak up.

If you have a great idea for an event or possibly a new club or organization, do not let those great ideas go unheard. Student Life is thrilled to work with you to make those ideas a reality. On the other hand, if you are unhappy with your living situation or schedule, you should not have to struggle with that problem all semester. You have many resources that can help resolve these issues. If you speak up, you will NOT regret it!

Practice time management and good study habits.

The earlier you learn how to manage your time wisely, the better. This is something that college students frequently overlook. You may have gotten away with procrastinating in high school, but in college, the workload is more intense. Most teachers post the assignments due for the entire semester with descriptions on their syllabus. I recommend that if you find yourself with a day of no homework, look at these assignments and draft them out or even complete them. This has come in handy for me because some weeks I had a very light amount of homework, but then the next it seemed like I could never complete the assignments on time. It may sound tough, but I promise it will balance out your workload and make it easier when you have a lot of assignments due.

Being away from home can be scary, but you’ll gain a school-wide support system to help you along your way. By getting involved you’ll make friends, find hobbies that you enjoy, and take breaks from all your hard work. Voice your great ideas or concerns so that you can get an issue resolved or start something great. Time really flies in college, so make the most of it by being safe and keeping those grades up. Also, don’t forget to get excited for the amazing journey ahead of you.

Learn more about what to expect in your first year!

— Kimberly Ervey
Centenary Freshman

Contact Information

Office of Admissions

400 Jefferson Street
Hackettstown, NJ 07840 908.852.1400 CentUAdmissions@centenaryuniversity.edu

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