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First off please read these letters carefully because most people have good advice that you need to be listening to and learning from.You are dealing with so many things right now, so take it one step at a time and try not to be overwhelmed.
Academically it is such a change from high school and the only way to adjust is to get used to the different teaching styles, tests, new schedule, and FINALS!!!Just like everything new that comes with college all it takes is adjustment and time. Things will eventually become easier, and more comfortable.The Psychology department is a great field, and I am enjoying it so far.Fundamentals to Psychology is supposed to be the hardest psychology class you will ever take so don’t worry it will get easier!!My advice is to not slack off first semester because it fly’s by and you would rather have worked hard than regret not trying.
Other things that go along with the newness of college is the food.Yes it is awful but it is terrible everywhere!! So its just a matter of getting used to the yellow lettuce, brown fruit, and “meat” for dinner.It makes you appreciate home cooking.Socially the first week of college is the time where everyone is going out but think about it how long does this last? Not long at all so don’t go crazy when it comes to going out at first because that dies down.When it comes to getting involved I would recommend at least getting involved in one sport or activity.It is a way of doing something with all this time you have during the day that at first you don’t know what to do with.Finally dorm life, god what a change!!I hope you all have good luck when it comes to a roommate.Just remember this, everyone has roommate problems and it takes flexibility to live with one or two people in a 2in by 2in room.But it will get easier and soon you two will know each other inside and out, and they will become almost like a sister or brother.
Well, that’s my advice; I hope all you Freshman are dealing with college OK.First semester is the hardest but once you look back on it, it’s the funniest.Although, I hear it only gets better.Stick with it and everything will fall into place.
Good luck and don’t hesitate
to ask any of us for advice!!
There are so many things I would like to say, with a short amount of space.There are many new things I learned in just a few short months of being a college freshman.The transition from high school to college, in my opinion, is one of the hardest alterations a person will have to overcome.There are so many new experiences being put in front of you, and so many new temptations that are hard to resist.Primum non nocere, one of the hardest things to get used to is living with someone else.I am an only child, and valued my alone time.The whole idea of living with someone was hard to get used to.Alone time is very important. Go to the library, it is a quiet place, spend all of your alone time there.Another important part of college life is sharing, you have to share everything, bathrooms, showers, and it takes some time to get used to.
Always remember to study; studying is a huge part of college life.Ask for help! Do not be afraid to ask for a tutor.Things can get difficult, especially when finals are around the corner.Do not be afraid to talk to your professors.They are there to help you. College work is very different from high school work.Teachers do not care if you miss a class.It is all your responsibility now.If you were late handing in a paper, the teacher is not going to hound you for it; you have to remember to get it in yourself. It is very easy to forget things.Buy a planner, and remember to write in it.Always keep your syllabi; most professors do a good job of adhering to it.Syllabi are your best friends.They tell you chapter for chapter what’s going on.If you miss a class, you know what you covered in that particular class!Always go to class unless you have a legitimate excuse.It is very easy to cut classes, but I do not suggest it.School policy states that if a person misses three absences they are deducted half a letter mark.First semester is hard enough, you don’t need a low grade just because you didn’t feel like going to class.A semester is a lot shorter than a school year.
Lastly, do not let the social scene consume you.Parties are fun, but there is a huge risk involved with them.Being caught in the presence of alcohol underage can acquire you a huge fine.Play it safe, if the party doesn’t look right, don’t go to it!There are also other things to do on the campus.There are many things going on in the Wolves Den that believe or not are a lot of fun.There are Karaokenights, comedians, live bands and all sorts of fun things to do.They are entertaining and less risky. Take everything per diem, you don’t have to constantly party.Staying in and having quality time to yourself can be just as much fun.
In conclusion your life is de novo perspective.You start out with a clean slate.Whoever you were in high school is not who you have to be in college.Everything is different, your life is about to change.You will make many new friends, and your new best friend in college becomes in loco parentis.You have to understand the reason you came to the university in the first place.So many temptations may lead you off course.College is a place to further your education, not go out and have a party every chance you get.Procrastination is a very easy thing to do.Remember, tempus fugit
Welcome to the University of Scranton!You should definitely consider yourself lucky because you are in for an eventful year, so carpe diem!I chose to attend the University of Scranton for many reasons.It is close, but not too close, to my home town, it is an academically excellent college, and from what I had heard, it had great parties.In actually coming here, I knew right away that I had made the right choice.Of course it took some time to adjust to being away from home and family and friends, but after the first month, I was fully comfortable and happy here.
In college, you will have a lot more freedom than you did at home.Ipso facto, you will also have a lot more responsibilities.When I first got here, I was not sure how to balance my social life with my academic responsibilities.Many students, I noticed, would go out to parties the first month and drink aqua vitae, ad nauseam, and miss their class the next morning.It is very unwise to do this.Although college is supposed to be a time to have fun and be social, it is important for students to realize what a great opportunity they are being given in coming here.Ergo, have fun, but know that work and classes must be your priority because scientia est potentia.
Psychology is a demanding, but definitely rewarding major.All of the professors at the University of Scranton possess cura personalis, but I have found this especially within the psychology department.The professors encourage students to do well and become involved. They know you on a first-name basis and are always willing to take time out to help you with whatever you may need.College is terra cognita, but it is comforting to know that your professors are there to provide guidance for you.
Throughout curriculum vitae, many do not get the opportunity to attend such a prestigious school.The fact that you will be getting a degree in psychology from this college will open many doors for you and help you to begin your career in whatever field of psychology studies you may choose.Keep in mind that tempus fugit, so take advantage of the time that you have here and remember to have fun, just not too much fun!
Sincerely,
A Freshman at the U
Welcome to the University of Scranton.You are in for a completely new and exciting experience.The things you will encounter in the near future are like nothing like anything you have experienced before, but don’t worry, there are things you can do to insure success.
The smartest thing any student can do is to establish a weekly routine.When you are in a routine, you know exactly what each day of the week will look like.You know when you will be cracking the books, and when you will be having fun.A routine eliminates surprises, which eliminates stress.When you have an established routine, you have plenty of time for both work and play, as you spend less time deciding what to do.The objective of routine should be to keep you on schedule with your studies, while avoiding exhaustion.
I highly recommend that new students become involved in a school sponsored activity.Being involved serves two purposes.When you join a team or a club or organization, it gives you the opportunity to do something that you enjoy.You will be having fun with this activity, and this will make your time here at Scranton more enjoyable.The second reason to become involved in a school sponsored activity is to gain a circle of friends.Just by being involved in an activity you enjoy you are immediately surrounded by a group of people who share at least one of the same interests as you..Being around people that you can relate to makes adjusting to college life much easier.
I recommend that you establish good study habits as early as possible.Some people may have trouble studying in their dorm rooms because there are too manypotential distractions.If you are one of those people, I recommend that you move to a study lounge or the library to study.Personally, I cannot study in the library.I find the library to be too boring for occupation.The study lounge has too many people passing through.Luckily, I have found a solution.I find it is best for me if I study at odd hours.I can be found studying in my room from late in the night into the early morning.I fine my dorm room to be very comfortable and the time slot is perfect for me because I am used to keeping odd hours.I cannot be distracted because at this time of the day, my roommates are asleep and any activity besides studying would wake them.Make sure to keep your studies a priority over your social life.You are here to learn.Your studies come first over play, and never vice versa
I recommend that you avoid study groups.The problem with study groups is that they can quickly and easily become social groups.Study groups also have to fit the needs of every member of the group.You may find that you are more knowledgeable on a subject than the rest of the group.When this happens, you do not move at the pace of the rest of the members of the group, and miss out on learning what you do not know.You could also find that the rest of the group is more knowledgeable than you are on a particular subject.When this happens you find yourself over your head, and unable to study what you do not know, as the rest of the group already knows the topic. At the most, I would recommend finding a study partner.Use this study partner only for quizzing each other before a quiz or exam.With one study partner you can get new ideas, and confirm facts, but you are less likely to find yourself out of touch with the subject matter or find yourself at a different pace with other students.
Organization is critical to success.You can study for hours and not learn a thing if you are not organized.Keep careful notes, and keep all of your files in order.Keep all of your notebooks in a particular place so that when you realize you have class in five minutes, you know exactly where to look to find them.Do the same with your books.I also recommend that you keep two digital copies of every paper that you write. Keep one copy on the computer’s hard-drive, and another on a floppy.This will prevent frustration when you cannot find your disk, or when your computer is not working properly.
One thing that I have noticed about college is that the professors seem to have an invested interest in each student.Each professor seems concerned for each student’s success and development at a University of Scranton student.Because of this invested interest in each student, each professor want to help each student as much as possible.Don’t be afraid to ask a professor for help if you need it.They actually want to help you.They would actually be more upset of you did not ask for help and did poorly than if you took up five minutes of their time.Take advantage of this and get to know your professors, as they are your aqua vitae.
Besides all these boring, school related pieces of advice, I recommend that you occasionally just take some time and relax.Play Nintendo or read or call your grandparents, or any other fun activity.This will remove you from the daily grind and keep your spirits up.If you really feel burned out, don’t despair.I have been here at the University for about three months, but it feels like I have only really been here for a fraction of that amount of time.Tempus fugit.Other than that, good luck!
Take care,
The semester that you are facing is one that will be filled with sadness and joy, success and failure, triumph and disappointment.Whether this semester is filled with the more positive attributes is up to you and you alone.The ability to succeed and to fail is always in your hands as long as you stay in control of yourself and learn to teach yourself some self- discipline.
I know what you are doing right now.Your freshman seminar teacher is making you read this letter as a homework assignment for class.It is probably the second week of school, and you think that you will never know what exactly it is that you are supposed to be doing here.Trust me, I know the feeling, because it is the exact way that I felt just a couple of months ago,but as they say, tempus fugit, and now my first semester is over.Take my word for it, the fear and loneliness does fade away into confidence and a sense of belonging, but the transformation is not easy.You will need to learn to learn how to understand and depend upon yourself for the things that you used to turn to others for, things as easy as laundry and as difficult as self - motivation.
Although sometimes it may not seem to be true, academics are the most important reason for you to be here right now.Never forget that, because if you do, you may find that you will not be here next year, as I have found with some of the people with whom I have spent this first semester of college.Many of them will not be coming back for the second semester because they lost sight of what is really important.It may seem like there is so much free time to be hanging out with friends and downloading songs on the computer, but it is not as much time as it seems.A teacher told me during the first week of school that I should be spending 2 hours doing homework for every one hour that I am in class, ergo having much less free time, and I thought that he was crazy.But after a week I found out that it was true: that I was doing at least 2 hours of work for an hour- long class.Soon all that time that I had spent fooling around with the girls in the hall was put into work that I never thought that I would have to do. And although I had less fun time, I felt a sense of accomplishment when I could get all my work done for class while others were having much trouble balancing time.That work has paid off in the form of excellent grades that I am incredibly proud of.
Although academics are no doubt the most important reason for college, the social aspect cannot be ignored because of its importance to the college experience.Though the first weeks may be lonely if you do not know anyone here, it does get better and you will form relationships ten times stronger than those that are formed in high school.This strong alliance is formed because you are forced to depend on one another for council, academic help and sometimes entertainment.Sometimes these people are en loco parentis, like a family to you, and the only ones keeping you sane in the middle of an incredibly hectic and busy week.
Here are some things that I learned during my first semester, which are in consensus with others I have talked to: don’t be help back by high school relationships because we all need to grow up; never underestimate the power of your friends when you need them; Let yourself fall in love, because even if it doesn’t work out it is worth the experience.
College is the
best time of your life, so don’t let it pass by without taking full advantage,
ad
libitum, of all that it has to offer.Remember
to study hard but also to let yourself have a little fun.In
the end you will find that balancing work and play will be the key to success
in college.
Dear Freshmen Psychology
Majors,
I want to tell you a little about the
college transition and life as a freshman at the University of Scranton.
It was a very drastic change so I hope that this helps you throughout all
of the changes.
College life is so much different than
high school. First there is the whole situation with sharing a room with
a complete stranger. I was lucky though; I attended the Royal Nights program
and met someone that I was able to click with right away. We decided to
be roommates and now we are best friends. Although we knew each other,
it was still tough. We both had different schedules and different living
styles. You will just have to learn to compromise with one another and
everything should work out.
The second major change was the workload.
My senior year of high school was the easiest by far. My days were filled
with classes that were relatively easy and my nights were homework free.
I could come home from school and just hang out with friends or relax in
my house. Here you have to read without being told, work ahead, and plan
your time wisely. My first semester FLEW. Before you know it its thanksgiving
and then a few weeks later the semester is over and you are home.
I would just like to remind you all
not to get caught up in the social scene. Sure it is great to hang out
and meet new people and make new friends. But you must remember that your
parents are spending an immense amount of money for you to get an education
here, so watch out for the parties and everything else that goes along
with them.
Other than that college is amazing.
You make tons of new friends, learn new things and above all, learn to
be independent. Just last week I was telling my father how much I have
changed in just three months. I have learned that you don’t always have
to take a shower before every class, or dress like you are going to a social
event. College is the one time in life where you can do basically anything
as long as you watch your own back and no one else’s. Be safe and have
fun!
To all the freshmen to read this freshmen year is nothing like what you have been told.When I was a senior I heard that you could just flake through the whole year and not do any work.I noticed after the first week of classes that you really have to pay attention to your classes or they will come back and bite you in the ass.I’m not trying to scare you but be prepared to handle the work and not spend your time being distracted.For me there was a big transition from senior year to freshmen year cause the reading material just got so much more interesting.
The only advice I can give you is not to do anything stupid.When I came to college I thought that I could do anything but knowing the police around here I was badly mistaken.Also when you take courses look to see what teachers you are getting when you choose for spring term.Try to get the classes you want early and see if you can get eth teacher you want.
The first semester of freshmen year was nothing like the freshmen year of high school.It is like how my teacher said college and high school are the same game but are played differently.He said college was like playing baseball after learning on a tee.You still have the same responsibilities but the freedom can distract you from getting your work done.The beginning of the year is actually kind of awkward.I don’t know if you will have the same problem but it felt weird for me to wake up at like 8:00 in the morning instead of like 6:00.Also it felt weird sleeping between classes cause I usually don’t sleep much during the weekdays.I never actually thought that I would be sleeping between classes but I found that I need the sleep.
With choosing you electives find something that you are interested in and take that class.It doesn’t matter if it has nothing to do with your major, if you like the material you’ll actually enjoy attending.Most likely if you enjoy the class you’ll do well in it and can help you Grade Point Average.When choosing my psyche elective I wanted to take the course that I was looking for called abnormal psychology.The problem is that I had a late registration time and didn’t get it.Here is where I got the culture shock of being in college cause there was actually a competition to get classes and teachers you want and it all matters when you registration time is.Grade point average means nothing some people just get lucky.By the end of registration everything will work out.You will not get the class of your choice but something equally interesting.You get used to it.It really is not as bad as it seems because if you really want those classes you can keep up on them and look and see if people have dropped them because of other conflicts.If you don’t slack off you will eventually get the classes you want if not close to them.
The
most important concept that I learned was time management.During
the first month you really find that you have to manage your time well
because you can’t do everything and there is only so much time in a day.I
don’t even pay a sport or attend an extra curricular activity and I had
just enough time to do my work and go out on the weekends.The
main idea here is that you have to manage your time.There
has to be some things that are more important to you than other things.Putting
studying for a test in front of playing video games is pretty obvious.But
when it’s like a Friday night and you have a paper due on Monday, which
you haven’t started, you should figure out what is more important.Also
you learn about yourself freshmen year.I
learned that I could write a paper better under pressure with only like
an hour instead of having ample time.Most
people crack and spit out some horrible paper that makes no sense but my
writing abilities heighten and I improve my grammar.You
may think that what I say is weird but you will do fine.
I will start off by saying welcome to the University of Scranton.It may not seem like much right now, but I guarantee that you will experience some of the best times of you lives here.In the short while that I have been here I have learned to love the University, the area, and the students and faculty.Now I realize that you have a bunch of letters to read, so I will keep this short and sweet.
The first and most important thing you have to do is realize that you are not children anymore.Mom and Dad aren’t going to be here whenever you need them, and you are going to have to start taking more responsibility for yourselves.However, with that responsibility comes the privilege of doing whatever you want, which is very cool.Don’t get carried away though, because if your grades start to slip, it is difficult to bring them back up, so be careful.
Also, make sure to manage your time well.My plan for myself, which has so far worked out perfectly, is to do work when you have a lot of time between classes.An hour or two during the day might not seem like much, but it will end up saving you time at night which you can use to hang out, play board games (I’m joking), or be part of the Scranton night life if you are so inclined.
Lastly, do yourself a favor and go out of your way to be nice to people.Say “hello” to someone on the street.Strike up a conversation with an upper-classman; we won’t bite, I promise.Also, meet as many freshmen as you can in the first few weeks.You are coming to college with fewer friends than you’ve had for a while, but remember that everyone is in the same boat.I think about my good friends from high school all the time and we still talk on the phone or write e-mails every week.Plus we get to hang out when we are home for Thanksgiving or winter break.Basically, don’t sell yourself short on friends just because college seems weird.Trust me, you’ll get the hang of it eventually, and when it happens it’s the best feeling in the world.
Sincerely,
P.S.Be yourself.
This letter is to welcome you to and to help you familiarize yourself with life at the University of Scranton.The first few weeks will be your adjusting period to get used to all those strange people sharing your bathroom and get those feared college professors you heard so much about.
One of the best attributes of this school is how it tries to ensure each student has a safety net beneath them incase they run into trouble at school and at college. As you know there are plenty of ways to accomplish that.You can get into trouble very easily with grades if you do not pay attention and stay ahead or at least up to date with your work.I know kids who have either played too many video games, partied too much, or have not gotten out of their room and out of their comfort zone let it all affect their grades.Moderation is a great idea and being responsible is not bad either.
Try to become friends with kids in your dorm or people that you see daily.I have found by comparing my activities to theirs, they give me a sense of how I am doing and what I need to work.Also, being lonely and having no one to talk does not help anything, so try to be outgoing for awhile until you feel comfortable hanging around other freshman.Everyone is different in the beginning of freshman year than later on.We all tend to adjust and calm down from all the nervousness and apprehension of the first weeks and tend to drift from the friends outside our dorm we initially made whether during orientation or the first week.
Later on during the semester you may find that you are having trouble in a class.First do your best to get better by using the learning center or something.If all fails and you are still not doing well you have the option to drop that class and the grade from your record if done before a certain date.You can usually avoid any trouble by organizing your daily schedule to help make a successful routine.It will be less stressful if you automatically study then trying to force yourself to decide.People usually tend not to study anyhow, it is just natural.If you have questions on material for a course all the professors have met here are more than willing to talk and help.They really are not that intimidating as some may say, just do not get on their bad side.
The last thing I would like to mention is about the social scene here.If you are smart about who you are with and what you are doing you’ll have a great time. If you are not, there is a pretty stupid P.A. law that can royally screw you over. So watch out!Your RA’s will explain all of that to you I’m sure.Parties are not the only place people gather obviously, so make an effort to participate in an event or club and meet some more interesting people that you would not see everyday.
In general, organize you time, do not get caught, be friendly, and do your work.It is a good way to make the best of and enjoy your time here.
Good Luck & Have Fun!
Welcome to the University of Scranton!As you begin your freshman year here at “The U,” you probably feel nervous and overwhelmed. Don’t worry, it’s normal!If you have the idea that college is all about fun and partying, you have the wrong idea.College is a lot different than high school.There is a lot more work to do and I mean a lot more! Don’t get me wrong, there is time for parties and good times.That’s what the weekends are for.
I, myself, am a commuter so I can’t talk about life in a dorm.Sometimes I do wish I went away to school so I could experience dorm life but then I think about what a great university this is and how I’ve made friends without even having to live here.I could only imagine that living in a dorm is a big transition compared to being at home.You have to get used to a lot more things, one of them being that you have to live with someone you’ve never met before.I think it varies with each person, whether it works out for them or not.All I could say is give it time.
The best advice I can give to you – well at least what I’ve learned so far, is to manage your time!Most professors hand out a syllabus in the beginning of the year which is a great way to get ahead on your assignments.Trust me – use it!I don’t know how many times I had to stay up late to do a paper the night before it was due.So if you’re a procrastinator like me, it’s best to try to change that.You’ll be much better off.Feel a bit stressed?Not to worry, it’ll get better.Believe me, I’ve only been here four months and I’ve already gone through it too many times. How tempus fugit ( time flies) !Just remember your freshman year is always the hardest.Another good thing to do is to join a club or get involved in extracurricular activities.It’s a great way to make friends.
Some people think that you can’t talk to your professors, that they’re just there to lecture.But you can talk to them if you have any questions or concerns.That’s what they’re there for, there’s no reason to be afraid.They have an idea what you’re going through.
As a freshman, you’re enrolled in a Fundamentals of Psychology class.Just keep in mind that this is the toughest course to take as a freshman.They’re taking all this information and cramming it into four months.When I first began this course I’ll admit my grades started out rocky.But once I got used to it I was able to bring them up.This is a class where you have a ten question quiz on a forty page chapter.That is a lot to take in.But don’t worry about it, the great thing about it is you’re able to drop one.It helps when you don’t know what to expect on the very first quiz and you don’t do so great.You’re also required to take a Freshman Seminar.I’ll admit I had more work to do in this class than any other class I’ve had so far.But, honestly, it’s a great course.I was able to express myself through papers, where in other classes you might have to do research papers.It also helped me understand what I am required to take each year I’m here at The U.It was a big help when it came time to make my schedule for next semester.Trust me – you’ll like it.
Well, I hope I was a little bit helpful in writing this letter.Just remember that when you’re feeling stressed out and overwhelmed, you’re not alone.Everyone else is too, they’re going through the same thing you are.All I can say is make the most out of these four years, they’re the most important .. and easy on the aqua vitae!
GOOD LUCK!!
Congratulations and welcome into the University of Scranton!This is going to be one of the biggest transitions that you will have to make in your life.College life is going to be a big adjustment for many people.College marks the time in your lives when for most people it is the first time that they are really totally on their own away from family and it is up to you to make valuable choices.The choices you will make from this point on will greatly affect your future.
For some people entering into college can be scary because you don’t know anyone, you might not get along with your roommate, or you just might be homesick.Even though this is a big adjustment, it is important to get involved with school related activities.Something you should consider is joining Psychology Club is a good club for you to join.They do many fun activities and allow you to interact with others in your majors and older students within the major as well.It is a good way for you to begin to make new friends.Getting involved in a sport is also a good idea; it allows you to meet people from other areas beside your major.
Something very important that everyone must do is to balance your time wisely.You will quickly find that you have a lot of free time.Time management is the most important thing, once you start getting into the swing of things and creating new routines for yourselves.You’ll get a lot of schoolwork along with exams and you need to know how to balance your time in order to be the most efficient.Planning ahead is a good technique that you could use to plan your time.Look over all the syllabuses from the professors and do as many things as you can in advance so you don’t get behind on your work.It is difficult to catch up on work when you get behind on your assignments.
Don’t let stress control you.College is a stressful time, so take some time to relax, and don’t study for exams and pull all niters.It doesn’t help because you are cramming too much information into your head all at once.Make sure you always reserve time that doesn’t involve schoolwork to give yourself a nice break.
It may be difficult at first to adjust to the way professors give lectures and exams, but eventually you’ll get used to it.You have to be open to change and willing to give new things a shot.Try new study techniques because the exams are hard to get used to at first.It may be hard at first to get used to the professor’s teaching style, because every teacher lectures differently. Some will use the book only, others will use just the notes you take in class, and yet others may use both.It just takes some time and patience, but don’t worry about it, everything will be fine.If you are having problems people in the Learning Resource Center in O’Hara Hall are very helpful.There you can get a tutor in as many classes as you need extra help in.I know that the tutors are helpful because I have used one for one of my classes, don’t be afraid to seek help.They are there to help you, they often give you a different perspective than the teacher that may be easier to understand than that of the professors.
For many people it is hard at first to make friends, you may find yourself sharing things with strangers that you never thought you would.Everyone is in the same boat as you are just trying to make some friends and be able to recognize familiar faces.The people that you first meet may not be your best friends in the end, but that’s ok.The more people you meet the better chance you will have of finding the people that are most like you.I know this from my own experience, because the people I first hung around with weren’t that much like me, but we talked and had fun together.I still talk to them, it’s just that they aren’t my best friends.Carpe diem!Take advantage of every opportunity that this school has to offer you.I wish you all the best of luck next year in psychology and in everything else you do.Maybe I will see you in some future psych courses.Good luck and God bless America!
~Class of 2005
I only have a few simple tips for you.Primum non nocere, relax.Remember that in the grand scheme of things whatever the situation or problem is, it will probably resolve itself in a few days.Fail a test?Don’t worry about it. Twenty years from now it will not matter.Things will work out.Just do your best and go with the flow.
Secondly,
do
not compromise yourself!!I cannot
stress this point enough!! It is crucial.You
will be going through a lot of changes in the next few months, but through
it all you do not lose sight of who you are!You
will be presented with infinite opportunities to do many things that may
or may not be what you want to do.Think.Don’t
just jump into a situation because everyone else is doing it, or it’s the
“thing to do” in college.People
will respect your decisions, and if they don’t forget about them.Don’t
let anyone bring you down or make you feel bad about yourself.
Third,
go to your classes.I know this
may seem like an obvious good idea, but you won’t believe how hard it is
to do at time.Even if you are permitted
a certain number of cut days, save them for emergencies or sick days, because
they will inevitably arise.If you
take all of your cuts in the beginning you will certainly regret it post
hoc.Plus you get to learn all
sorts of fun things that you don’t want to miss.Remember
scientia
est potentia.
My
final, and particularly important tip is to enjoy every minute of every
day.Live it up.Carpe
diem.Scranton has ample qualities
to ensure your happiness.Take advantage
of that.Cherish the seemingly meaningless
laughs over the lunch table.Embrace
the relaxed stroll down the commons as the golden leaves brilliantly sparkle
in the sunlight and wave in the gentle breeze.Don’t
overlook the little things in life that make this crazy ride all worthwhile.
Good luck.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do then by the ones you did do.So throw off the bowlines.Sail away from the safe harbor.Catch the trade winds in your sails.Explore.Dream.Discover.”
-Mark Twain
Sincerely,
By the time you read this, you will be in what is probably the biggest transition of your life thus far. It’s difficult—leaving your friends and family behind, taking responsibility for yourself, studying, and adjusting to college life in general—but trust me, after a just a semester here at “da U” I think you’ll find it can be a very interesting and enjoyable place to grow up.
Oh, and by the way when I say grow up, I’m very serious. You are going to learn things about yourself in these first few months that you’ve never needed to know before. I would just like to give you a few helpful hints on how to make this transition a little easier. The first and very important tip I would give is to make sure that you MANAGE YOUR TIME. Yes, this may sound easy enough at first but you’ll see that as much as active as your academic life is going to become, your social life could become ridiculously active as well. It’s exciting coming to college and meeting hundreds of new people in a day! You’re going to want to go out with them, stay up talking and hanging out until all hours of the night, put off doing that paper so you can “chill” for just a few more hours and this is (believe me) very understandable. However it also leads me to my next little tip. In addition to balancing your time between studying and your social life, you also need to sleep! Never before have I found it necessary to schedule time into my day (and night) to get some shut-eye, but here I really have take into account that you need at least a few hours of sleep a night. You may find this too—especially if you join a team or do an extra-curricular activity such as working with the University Players on one of their performances or volunteering with one of the many clubs/organizations here on campus. And now for my third point—although these extra activities may be time consuming, you should join at least one. The benefits of going to these practices, rehearsals, meetings, et cetera, are simply that you get to meet even more people and work with them towards a common interest! Joining a club, a team or simply volunteering your time can be fun and can keep your school life diverse and exciting.
College life is very different than anything you’ve probably experienced before, but as long as you manage your time between your social and academic life, get that much needed sleep and get involved with the university community, you’re bound to have a successful career here in Scranton. This transition may be difficult at first but I would like to offer one last little bit of advice—don’t be shy. Talk to your professors and advisors. Believe it or not they really do care for and about you. They’ve seen hundreds of students just like me and you go through the same things year after year. I’ve found that some of the professors I’ve had this semester can offer the best advice for a number of different circumstance and the advisors down in St. Thomas Hall are very patient people. Make yourself known and don’t be afraid of not knowing everything. There are caring people here to help you and they will.
So for a little
re-cap, good luck with everything. Have fun. Work hard. Learn about the
all the world has to offer and more importantly learn about you! Take time
to hang out with all the new and interesting people you meet until all
hours of the night, but don’t forget to sleep once in awhile! Keep in touch
with your friends and family, get to know your professors and don’t be
afraid to go to the advising center when you need and want to. Enjoy you’re
time here and don’t forget-- carpe diem!
Congratulations! You’ve made it. As you begin this new journey in your life, called college, many wonderful memories await you. College can be one of the best experiences that you will ever have and it is very important to make the 4 years you have here at the University of Scranton memorable ones. You will have fun times as well as bad times, but just remember the experience is one of a kind, and you are truly lucky to be here. There are a few things to keep in mind as you embark on this journey.
The most important thing to do during your first few weeks here is to go out and meet people. Join any club that catches your attention. In the beginning, you might be a little shy and timid, but that is completely normal. Be yourself. That is the most important thing. You have a chance to start over, make new friends and you should make the most out of this opportunity. Clubs and activities can be a good distraction when your life is filled with stress. I think the most important thing is to go out and just introduce yourself to people, you might feel a little dumb, but everyone is felling that way. You have nothing to lose.
My second piece of advice is to learn how to manage you time. I truly believe that this is the key to succeeding in college. I myself am a major procrastinator and I think this hurt me my first few weeks here. You need to really focus on your work. When you get your syllabus make sure you but it in a safe place. You will go by that through the whole semester. The schoolwork here is a lot different then high school. The change may be hard at first, but you will eventually get used to it. You don’t get homework like you get in high school. When your professor tells you to read a chapter, you must read it, or will be lost in class. The tests are much harder than high school also. That was a big adjustment for me. It not just definitions anymore, you need to learn to apply what you learn here. It is a big change, but you will get used to it. The first semester is usually the toughest. It is a huge change from high school and the adjustment may be hard at first. I know all my friends are in consensus (agreement) when I say that we have helped each other through the first semester and it will get easier as you get more adjusted to this new lifestyle.
Psychology is a lot of fun. I am really happy I picked it as my major and I’m sure you will enjoy it as well. Fundamentals is a very interesting class and you touch on just about ever aspect of psychology. You should definitely try to get involved with the Psych. Club and see what they have to offer. I have done a few projects with them and it has turned out to be a lot of fun. Just try to meet people in your class because they will be in most of your classes the first semester.
We are soon approaching the
second semester and I can’t believe how fast tempus fugit (time
flies). It feels like yesterday I was at orientation, scared and apprehensive
about going to college. Now I am happier then ever. You will miss you friends
and family from home, but this will become your home for the next four
years, so you might as well make the best of it. It is only the beginning
and there will be a lot of challenges as well as fun times. Just have fun,
go out and meet people, be yourself, and Carpe Diem! Good Luck!
Primum non nocere, I should welcome you to the University of Scranton and congratulate you on graduating high school and taking the next step in furthering your education.I can remember all the essays, the applications, the SATs, the college visits and thinking is this all worth it?Well, after being here for a semester already, I have realized that everything you do in life has some sort of significance.
When I first arrived here, I was having second thoughts about whether or not college was the place for me.The professors all had their own separate ways of teaching; some wanted us to take notes other just wanted us to listen to the lecture.Once it came time to start taking quizzes and tests, I began to feel totally overwhelmed.I was not prepared at all because I had not been looking at my notes a little each day.Instead, I tried to cram everything in the night prior.Yeah, this was okay in high school and I just by just fine with all A’s.However, I came to realize that my old habits just were not going to cut it in college.In addition, I was getting loads of writing assignments and papers, which I was not at all thrilled about.I just could not fathom writing a 6-page research paper for any subject.I was so distressed and confused at this point, I did not know what to do.
Eventually, I just had to let everything out and unfortunately my boyfriend caught the brunt of it.I had no idea that being a psychology major could actually be a challenge for me.I have known for a while that I want to help people with their problems in some way, however, I am not sure exactly what field to enter.Taking the fundamentals class sort of introduces you to a variety of aspects of psychology.I had already taken this course my senior year in high school, so I figured this would be a breeze.Well, I was wrong.I felt so confident after taking the first exam, only to get a 72 handed back to me the day we went over the test in class.In my high school a 70 or below was failing, so to me this grade was horrible because I never got below a C ever.
This was an eye opening experience to me in that college is NOT like high school in any way whatsoever.I had to sit down and completely re-evaluate myself, my study habits, time-management, et cetera.But that was not enough, I had to actually carry out what I told myself I was going to do, which was to start being wore serious about my work, otherwise I was not going to get anywhere successful later on.
There was yet another aspect
I had to deal with, ipso facto I am very young for my grade and
even though I consider myself mature for a 17 year old, there was definitely
a difference, emotionally, as say compared to the other girls living on
my floor.This largely played a
role in my feelings of doubt about being ready for college.My
whole life I was always told I was so young for my grade and was excluded
from certain activated because I was not old enough. So,
it was like I finally got to college and was able to be on my own and have
freedom, but I cannot even vote yet.I
have accepted this and I know that it is probably going to be a bit more
of struggle for me, but I think that I am a strong enough person and I
have experienced enough already that I can get through mostly anything
as long as I want to badly enough.
Welcome to the University of Scranton!By now you must be overwhelmed with amount of work and new information just thrown at you. Although at times it seems like it is going to be impossible to keep your head above water, remain stalwart.Don’t worry, you’ll adjust to the routine.
The first piece of advice I would offer would be to keep up with your work.I know it sounds difficult, but if you schedule your time properly, it is feasible. Don’t try to do it all at once either, take it in small steps.Once midterms come, you don’t want to realize that you haven’t read anything or looked over any notes.Make sure that you read the chapters before lecture, so you’ll have a better grasp of the concepts. However, you have to know when to have fun too so you’re not just studying all the time.
Speaking of scheduling time properly, it is essential that you get a good day planner, and not only use it but stick to it.I’ve learned that the farther I strayed from my schedule, the harder and more stressful school became.
It’s extremely important to get enough sleep.Getting enough sleep will help you deal with stress.You’ll be more willing to get work done and participate in activities if you’re rested.Also, you’ll feel more alert and able to retain knowledge better with a good night’s sleep.Don’t forget to keep yourself well fed too!You won’t want to do anything if you’re not eating enough.
You can become involved in many things.Don't spread yourself too thin though.There’s no reason you have to be involved in everything at once.Remember, you have a few more years to try other things.You have to have time for yourself, too.There are many social opportunities, but you need some peace and quiet once in a while.
If you find that you’re having trouble with a class, seek help for it.Most professors, peers currently in the class, those who have taken the class already, and tutoring services are all willing to help.Don’t wait for the problem to become unbearable.
If you’re having problems with coping, reach out to your fellow freshmen, as they know more than anyone else does what you’re going through and feeling.Remember, you’re all in this together.Keep this in mind when fellow freshman approach you.Take the time to say hello to people. Offer someone a seat at your table, a friendly conversation, or even just a good laugh.
Make a plan for what you want to do in the future.It will most likely change, but it will give you some sense of direction as to what you want.It’ll also give you a goal to work towards.
The teaching style varies a lot from that of high school teachers. Professors here are expecting a lot more out of the students.The work should be done correctly and on time.Some professors are more lenient than others are though.Make sure to see your professors out of class too, so they can get to know you better as well as you get to know them.They’re not going to seek you if you are struggling, you need to seek them. Though classes are still structured, there is a certain amount of freedom in the scheduling of classes so that you have ample time to study in between them.With the right schedule, you can have many nights free to have fun.
The best advice
I could give, however, is to remain optimistic.Always
remember even when it seems like you’ll never get through the first year
or even the first month, that this will only benefit you and can only make
your future better.
Are you feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, and nostalgic?Do not worry because of these feelings are part of adjusting to a completely new world, a new environment with completely different people.Although, I have only been at the University of Scranton for about 4 months, I can honestly say that everyone experiences those exact feelings.Change is difficult. I remember the day that people were crying, just hoping that their parents would take them home.Well, just to let you in on a little secret, those feelings do not last forever.Soon, before you will even have time to realize, the University will be the place that you actually refer to as home.It is a place where I have come to make great friendships already and where possibilities are endless for everyone!
There are many ways to help yourself in this time of change.First, manage your time effectively!This is something that is so important because people are always around, there are always distractions, and it is very easy to ‘lose track of time.’If you do your work a little at a time and spread it out over several days, the overwhelming feelings that you may be experiencing will eventually dissipate.If you manage your time efficiently, then studying for several exams at the same time will not be an impossible task, but rather one that is difficult but can be conquered.
Be sure to plan ahead.This is a key component to managing your time effectively.If you do not plan ahead, then you cannot work ahead and you may feel more overwhelmed.Something that has worked for me is a calendar and pocket planner.The calendar hangs on my wall next to my desk so that I can easily glance at the week’s work and I take the pocket planner to class because professors sometimes add to and change the syllabus (which is given to you in the beginning of the semester). Also, just as a little side note- if you find a subject to be very challenging (as in it is affecting your grade) do not be afraid to get help from a tutor.They are always available and it can really make a difference.
Another aspect that is very important to having a great college experience is getting involved.The University offers a variety of clubs and activities-there is literally something for everyone and it is only a matter of you finding your niche.Getting involved is important for many different reasons.First, it helps to take your mind off home and all the work you might have to do.Second, it is a great way to meet people.By joining an activity or club you will be meeting people that have similar interests as you and this is a great way to make friends.
Although the main reason for going to college is to receive an education, a social life (through activities and clubs) is very important.College is a learning experience, not only of the academic, but also of oneself and life in general.The opportunity to have an amazing experience is right in front of you.Carpe Diem!Many people told me how fast college goes and I never really believed them.Trust me- one day I arrived at the University, the next it is four months later-tempus fugit.If you get involved and balance your college life, post hoc you will be able to look back and never have any regrets.
So
I would just like to take this opportunity to welcome you to the University
of Scranton.I truly believe this
will be the best experience of your life.Open
up to the many possibilities that stand before you.Good
luck with your freshman year.Trust
me it only gets better!
I know leaving home your friends and family can be scary but if you get involved, have an open mind and be friendly the transition will be much smoother.Even though I have only been here for a short time I have met and be-friend great people.
If you happen to be living in the dorms this will take some time getting used to.For me, I have always had my own room at my house and how having to share a room where not only I sleep but where I live is very different.You will need to know when to compromise and make consensus and when to know when things get out of hand and go to your resident advisor.Your resident advisor is there to help you with any problems you might be having with your dorm life.So remember not to be afraid to talk to them.Living in the dorm though has so many positive aspects.You become close with the people on your floor and they not just end up being your friends but your family.
The transition socially from high school to college is not the only thing that is different but also the transition of academics.The workload is a lot different and at time can become intense.The classes are also different.Professors have different teaching styles and it will take time to get used to how to learn in each of your classes.The only thing you need to have is time management.If you manage your time between a social life and academics then you’ll make out fine.Also don’t be afraid to ask your professors questions.That is what they are here for, to help you learn.The University of Scranton also has a learning resource lab so if you are having problems with a class you can go and get help with it being a tutor or just getting suggestions for writing a paper or studying for a exam.
Being a freshmen psychology major you will take Fundamentals of Psychology.The class is an introductory class to psychology that covers all the aspects of psychology that you will be learning in detail later on in your academic career.With this class you will also have a lab that you will attend once a week.The lab will consist of watching videos, being shown demonstrations and listening to lectures.
Ergo, my first semester at the University of Scranton has been wonderful and I know that there are going to many great times to come.Good luck to you and your time here.Remember to have fun and study hard.These are told to be the best years of your life so don’t miss out on anything!
Sincerely,
A freshman
Well, you are finally here at the University of Scranton as Psychology majors.Do not worry too much; it is really is not that bad even though at first it might really seem horrible.At first I thought I was going to die and fail out of school but you soon find out that with a little work and patients that you can make it.In freshmen seminar, you will find out soon enough, what Latin phrases are, and why I need to use in this letter.
One major adjustment that you have to make coming into college is that it is not like high school at all and you really do have to do work.In college, as I found out very quickly, you have to do many papers, have to start studying for test a few days a head of time, and you have to really put all your effort into your work, even if it is not ad libitum (in accordance with desire) and you want to go out and party.I can not tell you how many papers I had to do this semester, it was ad mauseam (to the point of nausea) at times but it was not that bad.Just put it this way, parties are always going to happen so just wait until the weekends to party.
One thing that I have to say that is a necessity to do in college (other then taking naps), that I had never did before, was make a schedule for everything you need to do, even if some of your work is not due for days or even weeks.You will definitely be better off if you know exactly what you have to do every day and for tomorrow.This was a definite consensus between my friends and I.Another thing that is a necessity is that if you need help ask for it as soon as you are having trouble and before you get to far behind.There is not shame in asking for help.It takes the bigger person to admit that they cannot do things on their own.All the teachers have cura personalis (a loving concern for the students) and are more then happy to help you with you problems.
Just always remember that
tempus
fugit (time flies) and that curriculum vital (the course of one’s
life) starts here.What ever
you do in college will affect the rest of your life so try your best study
hard and do not forget to have fun.Literally,
some of the best times of my life I have had in these short four months
that I have been here, just know when to have fun and when not to.The
last thing I can say is have fun, do well, and cherish the time you have
here because it goes by so fast.Good
Luck.
Greetings and welcome to the University of Scranton.You have just made an important transition, entering into the next stage of your life…college.Granted this is only my first semester, but I think it is safe for me to say that it goes by extremely fast.One minute you are unpacking your bags, the next your packing them back up for Christmas break!Although it all may seem like you are in some gigantic whirlwind: trying to adjust, meeting new people, home sickness, ect; you’ll be fine as long as you remember that you are not the only one going through it and you try and stay focused.You’ll have thousands of questions, so don’t be afraid to ask each and every one of them…that’s what the professors and staff is here for, to help guide you, but not give u the answers.
You came to this school with a Psychology major in your back pocket.This means you have just become part of a team, so to speak.You become close with those in your major, having multiple if not all your classes with some of them, and you are treated to a host of wonderful professors, so take advantage of them!
The advice I would give to you, is to not be afraid to step our of your comfort zone.Try new things, meet new people, form new ideas.If you need help of any kind, don’t hesitate to ask.Stay focused and goal oriented, don’t let your work take control of you, take control of your work.Set up a schedule for yourself that you can work with so you can manage your time wisely.Do research on the things you want, so you don’t go into it blindfolded.Do not be afraid to change majors if you realize that your current one is not what you like, but do not change your major simply because you think the work will be to hard without even giving it a fighting chance.Embrace homesickness, it is a very real thing, don’t be ashamed of it, learn ways to deal/express it.And of course, do not, I repeat, do not! forget to go out and have fun!!!!Learn to balance your social and academic life, you can’t have one without the other.
Best of luck to you and all that you wish to accomplish!Don’t forget who you are, where you came from and where you are headed!!!Keep it real
Peace
Well first I would like to welcome you to the University of Scranton.I’m sure you have gone through a lot while trying to settle down.To be honest with you, it takes awhile.The most important thing I can tell you is to learn how to budget your time.It’s true what they say timing is everything.At first, you will feel overwhelmed and this is normal.Please don’t freak out, it will get better I promise.In the end you’ll realize that you had plenty of time to get all of the things that you needed to accomplish done.College is exciting because you learn to be independent.You shouldn’t take this to the extreme though.Your work and your grades are extremely important so don’t take them for granted.If you study, show up to class and take good notes, then you should have no problem passing any of your classes.
I personally believe that as Psychology majors, you picked a great field to study in.I could partly feel this way because I truly do enjoy psychology.It could also be that the professors here are helpful and are very knowledgeable.They may seem intimidating at first, but lets face it, everything new is scary.Do not be afraid of your professors!Get to know them because chances are they want to know you.Class size is small enough so that you can get to know your professor.Besides knowing your professor, get to know your fellow classmates. Chances are you will be with them in most of your classes.I know it’s hard making new friends especially if you knew people from high school that also attend the U.But please, it’s very important to make connections.Most likely you will meet amazing people.
To be honest with you, when you first meet the faculty you may feel as though some of them are a little bit eccentric.It’s okay!They really aren’t all that eccentric; they just really enjoy psychology and what they do.Guiding you is their job and not only are they good at it but they enjoy it too.
Another important part of your transition is joining clubs.Join and do as much as your free time allows you too.Again you’ll meet more amazing people and I will guarantee that you will have a great time.
College is not all fun though, there will come a time when you have to choose between friends and night out, or studying for an exam you have the next day.Trust me you will not be labeled a “dork” if you choose to stay home and study. If they really are your friends they will actually admire you for the choice you made.In the long run, you’ll attain more satisfaction.
One problem I faced living on the campus was that I felt there was nothing to do around here.If you feel like that at first don’t give up.The campus holds plenty activities such as hypnotists, comedians, and movie nights that you won’t have a problem fitting in.Once you start establishing relationships you will notice that things will become easier and you will find there is much more to do than always walking down to the Steam Town Mall.
Never feel intimidated to speak to a professor or a counselor if you have a problem.They will be more than happy to help you, even if it has nothing to do with academics.Classes may seem difficult at first but it is just a matter of getting used to a whole new environment.Most professors understand that this is something new to you.However they won’t expect less of you, they will just help you and take into consideration that you are just adjusting.
Have a good time
and remember that you will only get as much as you put into your college
experience.Good Luck!
Please beware of the changes of style in college.Timing is much different and actually much better.Instead of sitting in class for six hours straight, they can be over for the rest of the day at noon.Timing is different and study time, the way you learn, is a lot different.It is all up to you.You are in charge of each chapter, each page, for each test.Some classes, absolutely nothing is reviewed before a test.You are just told what is on it.I mean, which chapters, how many questions, and what type of questioning, but no review.Please don’t study [1]to the point of absurdity. Too much studying in one time period can just put you in a state of mental blocks. Get done whatever you can, what ever is possible to your ability.These are not “teachers” they’re “professors”.They’re not on your tail making sure you complete everything you’re supposed to do. If you don’t—OOPS!It’s your fault.Points come off of your grade and if it keeps happening you take the same course next semester.
Look forward to depression!If you are very concerned about schoolwork and worry about getting perfect grades, sometimes things will go downhill when least expected.It doesn’t matter if you were wonderful in high school, this is a whole different ball game. There’s going to be a lot on your shoulders. You must adapt to a lot of different study habits, different teachers, different timing, and different friends.You meet a lot of nice people here and a lot of people who just want to keep to themselves.People stay in groups sometimes but it’s very good to make new friends.I was told that it was a very good idea to join clubs to make a lot of different friends and become involved more with the school.I never took up that option.Maybe I should have, I would have found more friends than the ones I made and truly trust.
I
have one very important thing to say.If
you had any kind of serious surgery done to you right before you entered
college, anything that messed with your memory.Please
be easy on yourself.Don’t let everything
little thing bother you. You’d be struck twice with two different battles.You
have a lot to do and it’s tough to comprehend all at once.Take
a breather once and a while and say, you’ve come a long way.Look
at yourself [2]with
great praise.There are always
tutors willing to help, if you need them.You
can even go after class to the professor you have and ask them for help
or even extra time.They’re people
too and always open to help you however they can.They
try their hardest to make you feel comfortable.Always
do the extra credits given to the class. They’ll most likely boost up your
grade and they’re usually simple, or strange.Don’t
let certain subjects get you down.If
one subject is bothering you don’t take it out on another.Drop
the course or get help in it.Keep
your hopes up.Usually if you’re
going downhill, it’s because you are not used to the surroundings and how
to do everything you’re supposed to do.But
that should, or usually changes for most subjects because you adapt to
what is supposed to be done for that class.You’re
smart enough if you made it here in the first place.The
big question is can you handle it?And
I think you can.If you try your
hardest you’ll do fine.Just don’t
get too stressed.Don’t let one
or two grades in certain classes play with your mind.I’ve
been through it, it hurts your mind and feelings bad.Don’t
let it put you down, look a little ways into the future, you’ll make it!With
flying colors!
Let me start out by saying welcome to the University of Scranton. Even though I have only been here for short time, it feels like forever. Our time here goes by so quickly that you have little time to waste. It took half a semester and seeing my midterm grades for me to realize that I really needed to manage my time and start getting my work done. So take this advise start off smart. By following a few simple rules you will be getting your work done and enjoying college in no time.
One way I have learned to get a lot of a work done is by going to the library. If you stay in your dorm room you will get no work done-Trust ME! I would sit and procrastinate, doing everything possible, even clean my room, just so I wouldn’t have to do my work. If you go to the library for a little while each day, there is no way you will fall behind. Time management is so important. If you fall behind all you will be doing is adding unneeded stress. This is something that you definitely don’t want especially during midterms and finals.
Another good idea for a freshman is to get involved. Extra curricular activities are a great way to meet new people. The one thing you want to do meet some many people and it will make your college experience so much better. I love being able to walk down the commons and say hi to so many people.
Just because most of you are psychology majors it does not mean you cannot switch majors. I’m a psychology major right now, but I am considering changing my major to political science with a minor in psychology. This is because it fits better with my future plans. However the psychology department is great. I am taking fundamentals of psychology and I absolutely love it. Not only is it interesting, we have other professors from the psychology department come in and teach the class. This is great because now you are able to look and see how each of them teach, so you know who to take in your next semesters.
The professors are all really nice here and they want you to do well so if you are having a problem with a class, just go talk to the professor. They are always more than willing to help you. They are required to have a certain amount of office hours a week. So if they are there you might as well go and talk to them. Not only should you go talk to the professors, if you are having difficultly with one of your classes get a tutor. Do not wait either, as soon as you have a problem go and get a tutor. They are free and can help you do well in class you did not even think you would be able to pass. I had to get a tutor and now I have a B in the class instead of an F.
I know that I
have not been here that long, but I have already learned a lot. All you
have to remember is go to class, time management is everything, and take
advantage of everything around you and I promise you will be successful.
You are paying money to come to this University, so make sure you get your
money’s worth.Let me finish by saying
college is suppose to be the best years of your life, so take advantage
of every opportunity that comes your way and enjoy. GOOD LUCK!!!!!
I am currently finishing up the first semester of my freshman year.By the time you read this, I’ll be a sophomore (let’s hope anyway).There is a lot to learn when you come to the University of Scranton, or any college for that matter.In the next couple of weeks, you will experience new events, atmospheres, and interactions with other people.Get ready for an awesome ride!
Do not take for granted the relationships you (hopefully) made over orientation weekend.Those silly icebreakers (like the classic Banana peel) you were forced to do actually help build friendships that will last throughout the year.Use those icebreakers as an excuse to let loose and act stupid.Even if others are laughing at you, at least there’s laughter in the air.There is nothing worse than a mass of strangers staring at each other in awkward silence.
I realize there college is a lot to take in at once.Suddenly, it seems that professors are throwing you into a world of hard work, A LOT of reading, and expectations that you might think are set super high.Well, welcome to the Jesuit education.I promise, it gets better eventually, or at least you will get used to it.
You should not feel that this hard work goes without reward.Scranton guarantees a solid, well-rounded education, but it does not seem to come easily.Think about it, the best things in life are those that you worked hard to obtain.
If your high school was anything like mine, teachers, counselors, and basically the rest of the world are telling you that psychology is a dead-end career.My guidance counselor even told me I would not be able to feed my kids.I, however, disagree.It may not have the reputation for highest-paying salary, but it is certainly not “dead-end,” just knowing I am in a field that can help people is rewarding in itself.You may not be sure about the major right now, but not to worry, you will figure it out.Whether it’s psychology, business, or teaching, make sure it’s worth doing for the rest of your life.
About the best advice I can give you is two words: time management.Use deadlines to your advantage, that does not necessarily mean wait until the last possible second to hand something in, but learn how to prioritize your workload.It may seem overwhelming at first, but just take it one assignment at a time.At first it appears like you have all the time in the world between classes, and chances are you do have a lot, but trust me, it flies when you’re Instant Messaging, sleeping, organizing something (there’s always something that needs organizing), or having a good time with your friends.The second word of advice I will give you is DO NOT DOWNLOAD SNOODÒ; it will ruin your college career!For those of you who have no idea what I am talking about; ignorance is bliss.
If you are living in a dorm, good luck!Seriously, it takes some getting used to sharing a shower with 16 other people, but it’s all part of the experience.Often times, living here is convenient, make friends on all floors, and get to know your hall mates.Remember, the RA’s are your friends.One bonus of dorm life is decorating for the holidays!
Try to get involved in some activities outside of class, and by activities, I mean the legal kind like sports or clubs.It makes meeting people a lot easier and you might even get to know some upperclassmen.One thing I found about college is that it is not like high school where you could be a president of fifty different clubs (and a member too).You will need to learn how many other activities you can handle along with schoolwork, work-study, and recreational time.Just make sure you do something other than studying and stressing over grades, I’m still working on that one.
Believe it or not, Freshman Seminar is more than some 1-credit class.It can be really helpful, especially the 4-year plan assignment you will encounter.It seems tricky at first, but it will help you out come registration time.Ask your instructor questions, he or she is willing to help.
There is so much more I could say about freshmen year, but I am sure you think this letter is long enough.Just don’t forget, college is supposed to be hard, but it’s also supposed to be fun.
Good Luck!!!
You are now entering the next phase of your life: the college years. High school went by quickly and the next four years will fly by even faster. I know that I have only been at here at Scranton for one semester so far, but the past three months have been the quickest of my life. Despite the rapid pace, you will experience countless new happenings over the next several weeks. So far, you have moved into your dorm room and met your roommate. This is probably the first time away from your home, family, and friends for most of you. This is just the first of the many things you will have to adjust to.
Another first for a lot of new freshmen is the freedom you will now have. Although the University of Scranton does rob students of many freedoms by rules such as visitation hours, there are many things that are not regulated here. Of course I want you to have as much fun as possible, but don’t let partying interfere with the rest of your life, especially your schoolwork. As a warning, the authorities and the University are both very hard on underage drinking and drug use. I have friends that have been nearly kicked out of school on their first offense this semester. Don’t make the same mistakes that students have in the past. Furthermore, I know the temptation of going out on school nights. On occasion this won’t hurt, but don’t let it become a frequent occurrence. Getting enough sleep and actually going to class is very important.
This is not like some schools where teachers don’t care if students do not show up for class. You cannot get through the semester by simply copying someone else’s notes. Attendance in most classes is mandatory and yes, teachers will take role. This may seem to be too much like high school, but this is one of the facets of Scranton that I love. Teachers do care about the individual student here. You will not simply be a number. The faculty is more then willing to help someone in need and sacrifice their own time to help a student understand a concept or idea. Get to know your teachers and get involved in class. Participation plays a big part in many classrooms. Also, chances are that if you stay in psychology as your major, you will have the same teachers more then once.
Now that I have given the warnings to the new students at one side of the spectrum, let me address the effects of staying at the opposite end. Many new freshmen go through home-sickness during the first semester. I did not miss my home so much as I missed my close friends. Suddenly I was surrounded my complete strangers. For some people it is hard to adjust to a new place and new people, but trust me when I say to give Scranton a chance. Go out, meet people, introduce yourself to the people that live on your floor and in your building. Get to know the people in your classes, especially your psychology and seminar class because these people will be with you in future classes. Join activities and go to events. After a while, Scranton may even start to feel like home. There are many different types of people here so don’t limit yourself in the friends you make. Get to know many people and try new things. College should be a time to broaden your range of experiences, and not just in the classroom.
The next four years should be a time of fun and new experiences, but it should also be a time of learning and hard work. The key is to find the balance that is perfect for you. Developing efficient study skills and learning how to learn are both important steps to this. If you budget your time properly, there will be plenty of time to get all your work done and still fit in extra curricular activities and other