College is about community. Learning to connect with others – and discovering all the different places you fit in – is a crucial part of becoming a citizen of the world. Join a club. Mingle in your residence hall. Whatever. Because if you don’t learn about people, you’re never gonna get that date anyway.
Challenge yourself
Expect to involve yourself in campus life or in the life of your community. Step outside your comfort zone – make a commitment and look for an opportunity that interests you.
Get involved
Join a campus organization (or two) or an ensemble. You can find an overview of campus opportunities here; when you find one that looks interesting, go to a meeting to see if it’s a good fit. If you don’t see the organization you want, consider starting it yourself.
Introduce yourself
Make it a point to get to know your advisor or another faculty or staff member on a personal basis. Plug into B-W traditions like April Reign – a mega event each spring, where students come together for the big spring-time competition.
Enroll in College 101
This useful B-W primer will help you in your overall transition to college life and introduce you to various opportunities for campus involvement.
Get started
Create your E-Portfolio, an “online scrapbook” where you can document your B-W journey with photos, video, journal entries and a personal Action Plan you can shape as you grow.
Start a conversation
Discuss the things you’re learning in your classes with your floormates and friends. The Cyber Café is a great place to meet over a smoothie, play pool or just people watch. Outside perspectives can be very helpful in enriching your in-class discussions.
Get to know your RA
If you live on campus, let your Residence Advisor (RA) know how your transition to residence life is progressing. If you’re a commuter, check in with your Commuter Student Assistant to determine how he or she can help you make the most of college life.
Invest in your residence hall community
Often the friendships you develop in your first-year residence hall last a life time. Each residence hall on campus has a different character and feel. Become familiar with each of the halls as you begin to plan for next year’s residential living choice.
Be direct
If something is nagging you about your rooming situation, talk honestly and directly to your roommate about how you feel. Don’t attack his or her behavior. Honesty now will help ward off bigger issues in the future.
Branch out
Attend a wide array of campus events and be open to new things. Events like Culture Night and the Chinese New Year celebration provide great opportunities to experience other cultures and meet new people. Dance marathon, a 12-hour immersion experience raiseds thousands of dollars for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aid Foundation.