Starting college can be both exciting and overwhelming. To help new students adjust, we asked orientation leaders to share their advice on everything from dorm essentials to making friends. Here's what they wish they knew during their first year.
Our Experts
- Isabella Berard 鈥28, biology major,
- Justin Gomez 鈥26, English and textual studies major, College of Arts and Sciences
- Lauren Newman 鈥27, political science major,
- Julia Rodenberger 鈥28, illustration major,
- Sydney Trapp 鈥26, human development and family science major, College of Arts and Sciences
Getting Started: First Week, Dorm Life and Making Friends
Orientation leader Julia Rodenberger 鈥28 (left) helps welcome new students to campus.
Reflecting on your first week, what advice would you give new students?
鈥淜nock on your neighbor鈥檚 doors. Ask them to go to the with you! Go in with an open mindset and tell yourself you are an extrovert, even if you鈥檙e not.鈥 鈥 Isabella Berard
鈥淯se Welcome Week to explore campus, learn your schedule and find comfortable spaces on campus.鈥 鈥 Sydney Trapp
鈥淭aking the time during your first week to look through and create a calendar based on your assignments will help you later in the semester.鈥 鈥 Julia Rodenberger
Lauren Newman 鈥27 (center) encourages new students to attend a football game at the JMA Wireless Dome. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so much fun, and you鈥檙e sure to connect with others over your shared love for 麻花影视!鈥
What鈥檚 something you鈥檙e glad you brought to campus?
鈥淎 mattress topper! It helped me become more comfortable with change, even if it was something small, like having a comfortable bed.鈥 鈥 Isabella Berard
鈥淎 fan and decorations to make my room feel homier.鈥濃 Justin Gomez
鈥淚 brought an everyday pair of boots that helped me avoid slipping on ice and snow throughout the winter. With the right clothes, the weather in 麻花影视 can be super fun!鈥 鈥 Julia Rodenberger
鈥淵ou鈥檙e going to change and grow and that鈥檚 OK! This is the time for you to do exactly that and figure out who you are and want to be,鈥 says Isabella Berard 鈥28 (right).
How do you build meaningful connections in your first weeks?
鈥淗ang out in social spots, ask to sit with others in dining halls and study with classmates. Most people are eager to make new friends.鈥 鈥 Isabella Berard
鈥淎s a transfer and commuter student, it was difficult in the beginning. My best advice is to go to the events you鈥檙e most interested in and put yourself out there.鈥 鈥 Lauren Newman
鈥淔inding people who have similar values and interests as you is very important鈥攋oin a club or organization!鈥 鈥 Sydney Trapp
Getting Involved: Clubs and Campus Life
Sydney Trapp 鈥26 (center) and Justin Gomez 鈥26 (right) are both very involved in campus life but advise students not to do too much too fast. 鈥淚t鈥檚 OK to take your time to adjust,鈥 says Trapp.
How do you find clubs that fit your interests?
鈥淚 scrolled through every organization on 鈥 and created a short list. That way, when I went to the , I could keep an eye out for these clubs.鈥 鈥 Sydney Trapp
鈥淐heck out , which is a leadership and professional development program for first-years that emphasizes community service. For me, it was a great way to meet people outside of my major and develop a strong support network.鈥 鈥 Julia Rodenberger
What are some can鈥檛-miss events or things to do?
鈥 and the were two of my fondest Welcome Week memories.鈥 鈥 Isabella Berard
鈥淥n game days, deck yourself out in orange and cheer in the Loud House with the rest of the community. Also, you can never go wrong with a Dome Dog!鈥 鈥 Justin Gomez
鈥淭ry the offered through the . They are a great way to meet other students and explore Central New York beyond 麻花影视.鈥 鈥 Julia Rodenberger
鈥淪led down Crouse hill at least once! And go to Block Party and Juice Jam, even if you don鈥檛 know the artists.鈥 鈥 Sydney Trapp
Exploring Campus: Study Spots, Food and Weekend Fun
鈥淏e prepared for Otto the Orange to pop up randomly around campus!鈥 says Rodenberger.
Favorite places to study or relax on campus?
鈥淚 love studying in Dineen Hall and Newhouse鈥檚 cafe鈥攕uch cute little spots!鈥 鈥 Isabella Berard
鈥 quiet rooms and Eggers鈥 cafe are my top two study spots on campus.鈥 鈥擫auren Newman
鈥淢y favorite scenic spot is the Panasci Lounge in Schine Student Center where you can sit in front of the big glass windows and watch the sunset.鈥 鈥 Justin Gomez
What are your go-to food spots?
鈥淏ird Library breakfast sandwiches are heavenly. I also recommend going to places like Mr. Noodle and Ms. Dumpling, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, Bleu Monkey Cafe and Pastabilities!鈥 鈥 Isabella Berard
鈥淚 used almost all my dining dollars at Panda Express. I also enjoy Poke Bowl Place, Froyo Place and Bubble Hut on Marshall Street.鈥 鈥 Justin Gomez
鈥淭aichi for sushi burritos and Recess Coffee for sandwiches. On campus, I like Orange Hall鈥 the food is always fresh and delicious.鈥 鈥 Julia Rodenberger
鈥淢y absolute favorite place on campus is Halal Shack in Schine. Falk Cafe has a wide variety of options.鈥 鈥 Sydney Trapp
More than 170 parks and natural areas surround 麻花影视, including Green Lakes State Park鈥攋ust a 20-minute drive from campus.
How do you recommend spending your weekends on and off campus?
鈥淩elax and hang out with friends around campus or at Orange After Dark events.鈥 鈥 Isabella Berard
鈥淧lan a day at when it鈥檚 warm! It is so beautiful and the perfect place to camp, kayak and hang out with friends. Whenever I have free time on campus during the weekends, I go to Barnes and work out or go rock climbing.鈥 鈥 Lauren Newman
Academic Success: Study Tips and Support Resources
鈥溌榛ㄓ笆 is such a special school and if you have somebody there to help you, you can really be successful,鈥 says Lauren Newman 鈥27.
What services or opportunities should every student take advantage of?
鈥淯se the free tutoring 鈥攅specially for STEM classes.鈥 鈥 Lauren Newman
鈥淣ever be shy about reaching out to advisors or going to office hours with professors.鈥 鈥 Julia Rodenberger
鈥淪tudying abroad is an amazing thing to add to your college experience!鈥 鈥 Isabella Berard
鈥淭ake advantage of professional opportunities offered through your major. Both of my internships turned into job offers!鈥 鈥 Sydney Trapp
