To all incoming freshman who are going to be commuters,
First let me welcome you to college and say congratulations on graduating high school and moving on to the next step in your life. This summer I'm sure you're feeling excited (as well as very nervous) about starting college. Going to college -- where you don't know anyone can really be difficult and nerve-racking, especially when you aren't going to be living on campus. You are also probably wondering how exactly you are going to meet people and get involved on campus. You won't have a roommate, so it will be all on you to meet people. I was in your place just a few years ago, so here is some advice that I hope will help you a lot.
Just two years ago I started my freshman year of college, and I was coming in as an undeclared student. I was coming in with two of my best friends from high school, which did make it easier. My first piece of advice to you makes friends.
It may be hard to make friends at orientation because you won't necessarily have to meet anyone and you may not even want to try. This is OK.
If you want you can start making friends on the first day of class with those who you sit next to in your class; that's OK. Do what you're most comfortable with. Start by introducing yourself and finding out what you have in common with them. I sat next to someone and on the second day of the class asked them to do a class presentation with me.
Little did I know I would be dating her roommate, and because of that, in a few short months, I'd also build several lasting friendships.
Making friends who live on campus will also give you something to do in your downtime. Finding someone who always invites you to come hang out is always a plus.
The next bit of advice is get involved on campus. Find a club that you like or sounds interesting and sign up for it. This is another great way to make friends and even try something new or continue something you're good at. Even if you don't have a ton of time a club that meets once a week is hardly any time at all. A club can be something fun and is also great to have on your resume to show that you are involved on your campus.
I would also suggest getting a work-study position. This is a job on campus and it is very convenient and is, in general, a pretty easy job. I personally have had three and it's so much easier to have a job that is right on campus so you don't need to drive back and forth from campus to a job to home to wherever else you may need to go. Having a work-study is just another great way to make friends and make money at the same time!
The last piece of advice: get a meal plan. Meal plans can be expensive and I realize probably the only reason you commute is to save as much money as possible and keep your head as far above debt as possible. But even getting a commuter meal plan can be helpful to you. When you make friends one of the best ways to spend time with your friends is getting lunch or dinner with them. It took me a year and a half of college to get a meal plan and I regret not getting one from the first semester I started.
So good luck to you all in your college experiences and remember to make friends, get involved on campus, work hard, and have a lot of fun!
