1) Teachers are your friends.
The teacher-student ratio at Berea is 5:1. This means that there's a lot of room for maneuvering and teachers will most likely remember your name well after you've left their class. So don't be afraid to ask for an extension and share your story if you're having a hard time in your first week (or even after your first week). 9/10 times they'll understand.
2) Be aware of your surroundings.
Don't think that just because you've heard amazing things about how different and special Berea is that it isn't just like every other college. Everything that other colleges deal with, Berea does too. This means drugs, rape, and parties. When you're walking around campus at night, be wary of the places you walk through on your way back to your dorm. Fee Glade is known for the rapes that have happened in the area.
3) Gazebos are not study friendly.
When the sun goes down, the townies come out to play. In the Anna Smith gazebo especially, there's a lot going on. Don't expect to smoke a quick cigarette if you're a social butterfly and make it back to your room in time to study for your test tomorrow. Time lapses are a thing. You'll go out at eight and return at two in the morning, so be aware of the time.
4) There are outlets outside of drugs.
Let it be known that drugs are rampant in Berea; your peers will tell you, your teachers will tell you, heck, even the townies will tell you. You can go to any gazebo at night and inquire about any drug, and someone will most likely have it. Cocaine, marijuana, acid-- I've seen it all. There are healthier respites, so don't get dragged into the mix, especially when you've just started at Berea. If you absolutely must smoke a blunt, do it after you've settled down in your new environment.
5) It's okay to be lonely.
It's my second year at Berea and I still toss and turn at night, thinking about my boyfriend and how much I'd rather be sharing his bed than sleeping alone. There are still days when I don't want to get out of bed, when I cry myself to sleep--and that's okay. What you're feeling is totally valid and you should embrace it. If you're comfortable with it, I've heard counseling services are actually pretty good.
6) Mark your safe zones.
Just like with any other place, there will be places at Berea that will trigger some negative emotions. For me Presser Hall was a big no, mostly because I spent a lot of time there with a teacher who was not fond of me at all. By contrast, I absolutely love spending my time in my suite lobby. Your safe zones are also likely to change throughout your Berea career, but keep a note of them so you don't make your stay here harder than it has to be.
7) Don't depend on public safety for everything.
If you're locked out of your dorm and no one is there to let you back in then Public Safety is definitely your go-to. On the other hand, if you've witnessed a rape or sexual assault or something similar, go straight to the police. There are a lot of things Public Safety can't help you with in that regard, so be safe and know who to go to for help.
8) Dedicate some time to yourself.
Berea can take a lot out of you with the labor program and the demanding academics, but make sure you have time for yourself, too. If there's a question between sleeping or eating and doing homework, do the former. Stress builds quickly when you're not taking time to yourself and focusing on your needs.
9) Using the buddy system is key.
Certain areas in Berea are not safe at night, this is a fact. It's the same with all other colleges, so be wary and take a buddy with you. If you're walking across campus at night get a few of your friends to walk with you. Better safe than sorry.
10) If you have a complaint, speak on it.
Is your dorm's bathroom too dirty? Is your workload too hard? Can't get enough sleep because your roommate is blaring Grey's Anatomy all night? Talk to your advisor, your RA, your collegium--they're here to help. It's their job to make sure you're not completely stressed out your whole four years at Berea.
