As new freshmen and transfer students begin their journeys at Andrews University, they’ll face many new challenges. From stressful classes to unfamiliar faces, it’s no easy feat to get through college in one piece. In hopes of the new students’ survival and enjoyment at Andrews, I interviewed 15 weathered upperclassmen for their expert advice on this matter. Here are their responses:
"It's very cliché, but work hard, play hard. Balance is everything, and although your studies should be a top priority, learn to live in the moment too."
Ben Kwon (senior, Spanish)
"Freshman year is this weird transition stage between being a kid and being an adult where you have to figure life out on your own; it’s scary and stressful because adulting is new, uncertain, and high stakes. I’ve realized that it’s okay to trial and error, make imperfect decisions, mess up, and for life to be messy as you figure stuff out. Beginnings are usually overwhelming and lonely but beginnings don’t last forever. You’ll find your way.”
Zoe Shiu (senior, psychology and music)
“Take every opportunity you are given to get off of campus and explore.”
Grace No (senior, English)
"Don’t get too stuck in your studies in your freshman year. Enjoy your time, because it only gets harder every year."
Gio Lee (senior, business)
“Everything is good in moderation; focus on your academics, but also on your mental health. Make sure to take time for yourself to rewind, and try not to compare yourself to others because everyone’s path is different. There’s no need to stress about not being in the same exact place as your classmates. And most importantly, make sure to count all of your wins, even the small ones, because they all count and you deserve to be proud of yourself!
Christine Choi (senior, biology)
"Leave your dorm room open to meet new people, and try to push yourself out of your comfort zone."
Jaden Leiterman (senior, medical laboratory science)
"Make sure to get enough sleep every night; it makes a big difference. Also, life’s never really that serious, so enjoy it!"
Ntakirutimana Francine (junior, biology)
"Ask around about what classes to take, and remember that upperclassmen are there to help you."
Harliegh Murnin (junior, psychology)
“If I had someone give me advice when I was a freshman, it would be to study hard. Your success journey starts now, so work for it. But, more importantly, make sure you master the art of making the perfect ramen, cause the cafe doesn’t always pull through. But no, on a real note, stay motivated, encouraged, and determined, yet still make time for fun. College is a healthy balance of all those things. Enjoy your journey and your ramen :).”
Jonathan Lutterodt (junior, finance)
"Don't slack off; study for your classes early on. Things will catch up to you pretty quickly if you procrastinate too often."
Suvan Campbell (junior, biochemistry)
"Networking and making good friends will help you out very much later on."
Nathaniel Frederick (senior, computer science)
"My advice for incoming freshmen is to get out of the classroom when you can. A good GPA is important, but college is about so much more than academics. Go out and discover new hobbies, meet new people, volunteer, work, and go have more 'experiences'. There’s no correct way to succeed in college; it’s up to you to organize your life in whatever way you’re content with. Lastly, remember to be kind to yourself, be understanding of others, and celebrate the small victories. Good luck!"
Sam Namkung (senior, psychology)
"Make sure to stay active, whether it’s with sports or the gym."
Samuel Pastrana (junior, aviation)
"Stay focused in your classes, and make a good, consistent schedule. Time management is really important for a good semester."
Ed Joseph (sophomore, computer science)
"Take advantage of every opportunity you are given here. You will only regret the things you didn't do."
Kato Golooba-Mutebi (sophomore, finance and data science)
As you can see, it’s possible to survive and thrive in college with some hard work and balance!
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.