Well,
you've done it. You survived senior year, chosen a college and in a
few short weeks will be beginning your time at Friends University. If
you are anything like me, there are so many
nervous and excited feelings for what is to come. Although it would take
days to tell you everything to expect, and part of the fun is finding out on your own, here are the top 15 tips, tricks and hints for incoming Friends U freshmen:
1. Library
Although there may be several aspects of Friends that drew you here, academics are ultimately most important.
What better place to aid in your academic growth than at the library?
The Friends U library offers so much more than just books and research
references. There are computers for general use, whiteboard study
tables, private rooms, coffee and snacks, printers, extended finals week
hours, the list goes on and on. As an incoming freshman, you will have a hand up on your fellow peers by knowing to use the library from the get go.
2. Academic Resource Center
Located on the first floor of Davis, the Academic Resource center is a priceless tool to Friends U students of all ages. Here, a student can find one-on-one help in all areas of study from certified tutors. I cannot stress enough to incoming students how valuable this tool is. Don't be afraid to ask for help, or attend the study sessions provided. Your academics are the most important part of your time spent here at Friends, and the Academic Resource Center can help in immense ways.
3. Syllabus
One
of the biggest differences I found between high school and college, was
the importance of the class syllabus. Now, you may be wise and already
know the importance of a syllabus in college. I, however, tend to be a
bit clueless about some things, and did not. So for those who are like
me, this is for you. On the first day of class, your professors will
hand you a syllabus. Guard this with your life. The syllabus is an
all-knowing source of information
about the class. Test dates, grading processes, class schedules – all
of these are found on the syllabus. In other words, your class syllabus
is a major key in passing your class.
4. Athletic games
Being an athlete at Friends, I am obviously biased when it comes to the athletic events. I love to attend games or meets
of my fellow athletes and love it even more when people come and watch
my team perform. One of the best parts about Friends athletic events is
that anyone with a Friends University student I.D. gets in – wait for it – for free.
5. Shortcuts
The Friends campus is quaint, beautiful and relatively small. This small size is great when the weather is beautiful, allowing pleasant walks in between classes. However, when the temperatures drop and the seasons change, these pleasant walks turn into horrific dashes through buildings trying to avoid hypothermia. Unbeknownst to me (and my sometimes clueless brain), it's easy to cut down the time it takes to get across campus by cutting through buildings. The biggest shortcut that I used on a regular basis was through Rhiney on my way to BTB. This was an absolute lifesaver on more than one occasion.
6. Intramurals
Ahh, good ol' intramurals. It is here that "friendly" competition is held in anything from basketball to ping pong. Seriously, though, intramurals are on of the most fun things you have the ability to participate in as a freshman at Friends. The opportunities are endless, and it serves as a great way to meet new people around
campus. My personal favorite was slow-pitch softball in the spring. Even
though I can hardly manage to catch a ball with a glove, the camaraderie
and memories made overcompensated for my lack of skill. The best part about the whole thing? It is a great way to win free t-shirts. A word of
warning: if you are an athlete, check with your coaches to see if
they have any set rules on participating in intramurals during your
season.
7. Hammock rental
Finding yourself with a free afternoon on campus? Don't fret with boredom, and head to the desk in Lower Level Casado to pick up a rental hammock. All you have to do is give them your student I.D. to keep while you have the hammock, and you now have yourself an afternoon of relaxation. My friends and I spent many a day during our freshman year hammocking on our beautiful campus. Just return the hammock in exchange for your I.D. when finished, and you can be on your merry way.
8. Fire alarms
In the event that you are living on campus your freshman
year, you will have to great pleasure to reside in Green Hall. Green
gave me so much to be thankful for as a freshman. The living conditions
are truly some of the best in the nation: free wifi, cable and laundry
weren't too shabby either. Not to mention the RA's do a great job at
making you feel at home, along with providing endless activities and
events for you to get involved with. There is only one thing that I
won't miss about living in Green Hall: the pesky fire alarms. Yes, you
heard me right. I won't even tell you the number of times the fire
alarms went off in the middle of the night my freshman year. Fingers
crossed the glitches have been fixed and your freshman year will be
better. At least it makes for some humorous memories.
9. Bookstore
Let's keep the point on the bookstore short and sweet. The bookstore is not only a great place to get your textbooks, but to also stock up on school supplies, Friends U apparel or any random trinket you might need. Not to mention the men that run the store are incredibly friendly and helpful. In a nutshell, the bookstore is pretty stinking great.
10. Healthy Habits
I'm sure you have all heard the warnings on gaining the freshman 15. You may laugh now, but let me tell you, the freshman 15 is a real thing, people. This is quite possibly the first time in your life that you don't have an adult reminding you to eat your vegetables, or telling you to not go out late at night for ice cream. I know it's tempting to have CoCo Puffs for lunch everyday, but really it's better for your body - and possibly sanity - to go ahead and make healthy decisions most of the time. Start these healthy habits from the get-go, and you just may win the battle against the freshman 15.
11. Time management
Along with setting healthy habits early, my advice would be to learn how to manage your time quickly as well. College allows for much more free time and independence than ever before. If you don't learn to responsibly balance this wisely, the privilege of college may slip away. Learn to put your school work first. Get involved when you have the ability to, and do your best to not overfill your plate. Routines are helpful, and if you get into a solid pattern it will be one less thing to stress over.
12. Sleep
Along the same lines as learning to manage your time, comes the crucial aspect of sleep. I quickly found my freshman year that there is always something going on around Friends' campus or in the residence halls. With everything being so new and exciting, it's hard to say no to anything. Don't get me wrong, I highly encourage you to get involved in anything and everything you are able to. The one caveat to that is you must also learn sleep is actually just as important as your social life. It's okay to call a rain check on a few things in order to maintain a decent sleep pattern during the week. Trust me, it pays off in the long run.
13. Donut runs
Keeping a healthy routine in check is most definitely important, but splurging every now and then is also a fun treat. If you aren't from the Wichita area, you'll quickly learn that a favorite of Friends U students are donuts. I can't even tell you the number of donut runs my friends and I made throughout my freshman year. There are so many options, too. Hurts has the best variety, The Donut Hole has the coolest venue, Krispy Kreme offers free donuts when the hot light is on and Winchell's is open the latest. No matter where you go, splurging on a donut with your best friends will create some of your most loved memories.
14. Get involved with FACE.
Getting involved with campus activities as a freshman is a way for you to meet new people and see exactly what Friends has to offer. One of the most popular organizations on campus that students get involved with is called FACE. FACE helps plan everything from activities throughout the school year from homecoming, to spirit events. Although I was not as involved in FACE my freshman year as I would like to have been, it is something I heard great things about and would love to do in my future years at Friends. Even if you don't get involved directly with FACE, attend the events and thank a member for doing all they do. We wouldn't have bubble soccer tournaments or nights at the trampoline park if it wasn't for all FACE does.
15. Make friends at Friends.
Arguable one of the best parts about Friends University are the people. My freshman year led to friendships that I now hold so
dear to my heart. I have no doubt it will be the same for you. This
school provides such a tight knit community, and is comprised of some of
the best people in the world. So, make friends at Friends! They'll last
a lifetime.
