We asked freshmen students their biggest concerns about moving away from home for the first time into college life. Luckily, the St. Mary’s family is more than happy to share survival skills that will help with the success of new students. Here is what the experts have to say about these issues:
•Find an outlet that will help you release the stress and anxiety from school. Go to the gym, the pool, or join organizations. •If you feel like you need a support system, go to the Student Counseling Center. They are trained professionals that can help. •If you’re religious, attend the masses on campus to seek spiritual comfort and help ease your anxiety.
•Bring stuff that reminds you of home to your dorm. Having a piece of home will make the process of adapting to dorm life go more quickly.
la Gonzalez
Photo by Danie
•Do NOT call home every single day. Doing so will make you miss your family even more and will make you want to go home.
Stephan ie Moron es, juniro criminal r justice m ajor, sho what ma wing kes her ro om hom e.
•Video chat your family every once in a while. Seeing their faces will be more comforting than just hearing their voices.
It’s very normal for students to feel homesick the fir st few months of colle ge. This is actually one of the main factor s that caus e students to be unsuccessf ul in their classes, or even le ads them to drop out.
•Your room should NOT be the place to work or study. It should be your space to rest, not to stress. Instead, go to the library or the study rooms for a better studying environment. •Never procrastinate on your work. Make sure to focus and be on top of deadlines to finish your work. •Don’t be afraid to ask to join a study group. Study groups exist because there are students just as confused as you are. Plus, more people means less work to do.
dyajor,, stu hology m Gonzalez c y s p re Daniela sophmo ampos, hoto by Cecilia C lume library. | P eB ing in th
Schoolwork at the univer sity level tends to be one of the most time-consum ing things for students. It can also be one of the most stressfu l things that can take a toll on them . It is important for students to ha ve a strategy to tackle the worklo ad in a smar t way.
udents hen st e of w s e tim ur will be el the press imes, There t e f those r t to will sta sses. During main calm la re r take their c or tant to ty ove hat p ie x im n a t s ’ t it than le t only could or k r e h t w o ra inds. N r k and their m eir schoolwo could also th affect nce, but it lth. a ea r perfo m heir mental h t t affec
•Eat breakfast. Make sure to have something in your stomach to give you strength and energy for the day. •Avoid fast food as much as possible. Many students gain the Freshman 15 because they don’t look at their diets. The Diamondback Cafe offers healthy options that will prevent you from gaining weight
r health fo r u o y e k s Never ta u must alway o Y . and granted r mental o u o y f o take care alth in order t he college. physical in l fu s es r be succ priority on you t u Never p over your self. rk schoolwo
•Drink more water than soda. It’s very easy to be tempted by the fountain drinks, but it is not healthy. Treat yourself to soda once in a while.
Maria Lopez , sophmore bio salad bar a healthy optio logy major, stopping by n. | Photo b y Daniela G the onzalez
•Living with your best friend is NOT always the best choice. Just because living students you get along well does not mean your t s o m time or eir fir st th living styles will always be the same. F is , s h u amp space wit Find someone else that is similar to you in on-c g in v li sharing a lse. Some may your living aspects. e t. It’s someone e may no m o s •Communicate with your roommate about rules for each other. t u b , ood enjoy it t to have a g , n ta Consider the Roommate/Suitemate Agreement as a contract. r o p im ely tes •If you don’t like your roommate, do NOT hesitate to change rooms when it becomes available. You are paying for that living space, so you must enjoy it to the max.
mma extrem with roo living ip h s n o ti rela ring a will be sha since you whole year. space for a