5 Things I’ve Learned Since Becoming a First-Year Student at Emory

Because let’s be honest, sometimes it’s best to learn from other people’s experiences.

1. The people who live on your Residence Hall floor are more than just neighbors—they’re your new family.

Moving into a First-Year Residence hall means living with a roommate and starting your own life, but make sure you take the time to get to know the people who live around you. It’s very easy to get caught up in the rush of finding your way around campus and worrying about classes, but don’t let this take away from the time you spend in the residence hall! Not only have some of my neighbors become my closest friends, but my Resident and Sophomore Advisors have become my greatest support system since coming to Emory. Plus, make sure to take advantage of Songfest—it’s a great way to start goofing off with some of the people who will make your first year unforgettable!

2. Time is money—don’t waste it.

In high school, parents and teachers tell you not to procrastinate all the time—but, in college, it’s the real deal. Getting behind means having to make up for it with LOTS of late nights and weekends spent in the library. So, save yourself a lot of stress and keep on top of your work; you’ll definitely be grateful for it!

3. Don’t take the little things for granted—enjoy them!

College can be stressful, so take the little things that make you happy and make them a big part of your day—like, finding Krispy Kreme Doughnuts in the DUC or spending the afternoon on the Quad. Or, even getting a package (it’s a really exciting feeling, I promise one day you’ll understand).

4. Professors are people too—and they’re actually really cool!

Getting used to calling teachers by professor is actually a much harder adjustment than one might think—and, somehow, this new title makes them seem WAY scarier than they did in high school. Although, once you get past it, professors are some of the coolest people I know. From studying bioethics and feminism to researching in some of the greatest archives in the country, professors have done it all. And, best of all, they’re really excited to tell you all about it.

5. You only get to be a first-year in college once—don’t pass up the opportunity to make it an experience you’ll never forget.

Put yourself out there! You’ll hear it a million times, but—seriously—YOLO applies throughout your entire first semester of college. If something sounds interesting to you, ask for more information and find a way to get involved; you won’t regret it, I can assure you!

Danielle Bimston 20C
English
Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Don’t hesitate to connect with us by posting a comment to this blog, tweeting us @emoryadmission, or emailing us at admission@emory.edu. We look forward to hearing from you!

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