New Year, New You: Advice for Freshmen from Seniors

Being a freshman in college, in a new school and often in a new town, can be exciting, daunting, and confusing all at the same time. 

Whether it’s finding your classes, getting to know your professors, navigating campus, figuring out what you like and don’t like in the dining hall, trying to pick a club or organization to join, choosing a major, trying to keep up with the workload, or making friends; freshman year is a major learning curve from high school. However, it can also be the start of an incredible chapter of your life. 

(Notice: I did not say the best four years, because it’s not four years for everyone, and while it could be the best four years thus far, it might not be the best four years in the long run.)

College is the time to find yourself, to figure out what you’re passionate about. Students often find they learn a lot about themselves, what they’re capable of, and who they want to be during this time. 

“Go out there and do more things, like joining clubs, and do your internships as early as possible,” said Carmella Vitel, senior communication major. “The more experience you can get sooner the better, so you won’t feel rushed towards the end of your time here.”

It may seem scary, but getting to know people, going to club meetings, and taking opportunities that come your way can really impact your experience at CU. 

“My advice to a freshman is listen to yourself,” said a senior education major. “Despite all the new clubs and friends and classes, at the end of the day college is what you make it, and it should be a time of growth and joy!” 

“The first week is usually the hardest part of the college experience,” said Tanner Sullivan, senior communication major. “It’s getting used to the environment and new sort of crowd that can be the most challenging. Once you get used to the environment, get involved and don’t be afraid to ask for help. There’s a whole community of support, so don’t feel like there’s no one to turn to.”

In college, you’re often told you need to be responsible for yourself. When you have assignments due, most professors are not going to track you down and stand over you, making sure the assignment gets done. However, at CU, there is a wide range of support available to students. 

If you need help with your writing in any stage of the process, the Writing Collab located in the lower level of the library is available to help. There is also the Tutoring Center off the Sunken Lounge in the Seay building. For either, you can make an appointment at https://centenary.mywconline.com. 

Getting tutoring is uncomfortable for some students. Many students believe tutoring is just for those failing or struggling in their classes. There have even been cases of high school guidance counselors telling students with a D-average they can only get tutoring if they had an F, which deters students from accepting help at the college level. You may feel like you need to figure it out yourself and that your achievements and failures are yours alone.

However, any tutoring can be an incredibly invaluable resource. Even if you’re an A student, writing is a process. Working with and getting inspired by other writers can be powerful in honing your skills. Having someone look over your finished paper before you submit can be beneficial. Every tutor is there to help students become better writers, especially in the Writing Collab where you will find trained peer tutors. 

Professors are also a great way to find support. Oftentimes, they are more than happy to provide clarification and have a discussion with you about the topics covered in class. And if you have a problem, need an extension, or are going to be absent, talking to your professor beforehand is a great way to start. Maintaining a relationship with your professors can go a long way, too. If they know you well enough, they can write letters of recommendation for internships and grad school applications. 

The library staff is also an incredible resource. Every librarian is courteous and respectful, always willing to chat and help find a book, and can even help with finding sources on the library’s database, which can be tricky to navigate if you haven’t used peer-reviewed sources before. One of the handy services in the library is the interlibrary loan. If you need a book or textbook for a class and don’t want to buy it, other libraries in the surrounding areas can see if they have it and mail it to CU, free of charge. Just keep an eye out for due dates and request an extension if needed. 

Another part of classes that can be an adjustment is the syllabus. In high school, students may have noticed syllabi just include classroom expectations. The paper handout was probably shoved in a backpack or locker and ended up in the trash soon after. 

In college, semesters run for only 16-weeks, so professors must plan accordingly. Homework assignments, tests, quizzes, midterms, and finals are spelled out in the syllabus and often reviewed on the  first day of class. Thereafter, students are responsible for following the course as outlined in the syllabus. You may also find assignment guidelines and rubrics on the syllabus, which will not be posted on Moodle. Good advice is keep the paper handy and check it at least once a week. 

Moodle is different from Google Classroom or another platform you may have used. It takes a bit to navigate but is a great resource. All professors are required to use Moodle at the very least for grading and attendance purposes. Individual grades and feedback are posted there, not on self-service, so keep an eye on your progress in your courses. You can also get Moodle on your phone. However, do not download the Moodle app. It’s actually OpenLMS. 

Lastly, being a freshman means you’ve made it! You’re starting an amazing journey. Whether you’re a resident or commuter, remember that you have several years to figure it out. You don’t need to know exactly what you want to do with your life in your first semester. As you meet new people from different backgrounds and learn through your courses, you may change your mind. And that’s okay. 

Don’t overburden yourself by taking on too much too soon. Loading your schedule with extra classes, several clubs, a part-time job or two, all while trying to keep up with assignments will become easier further down the line once you’ve figured out what you’re capable of. Remember that freshman year, especially the first semester, is a major adjustment, so only take on what you can handle. The rest can come later. 

Best of luck to all the new freshmen here at CU. The seniors know how unpredictable and confusing things can seem when you’re in the thick of it. It’s a wonderful adventure, nonetheless. 

And to the seniors, congratulations. You’ve made it, too, whether you’re graduating in December 2025 or May 2026. What you’ve learned here at CU will lead you to great things.