Advice From Upperclassmen

“Your college years are truly one of a kind. It’s important to make the best of them. That is why the most important tool to have under your belt during college is organization and consistency. Buy a planner, plan, and stick to it. This means make a routine. Make some time to apply to scholarships, have your study/ homework time, time with your friends/significant other, and most importantly some ‘you’ time.

Your mental health is important in college. Try not to overwhelm yourself and jump to conclusions. Make sure you have some time to do the things you love and try to relax. Remind yourself that life may be overwhelming, but you will eventually get through it. You will get through your exams, your group project will work out on presentation day, and you can get that degree! Your college years may feel like a rollercoaster, but it’s a thrill like no other. Enjoy the ride!”

Danielle Van Pelt Broadcast Communication Junior

“Embry-Riddle. You chose a place where your niche passions in aviation, technology, and arts can be realized. Here are a few key ways to make the most of your time here:

Get involved in more than one thing. ERAU has so many opportunities for you to explore. Try not to get so bogged down by classes or work to get out there and find them. It’s okay to be multi-dimensional. Get off campus. We live in ERAU, but it’s not a college town nor a big school. It’s healthy to go out and explore Daytona Beach. Read more of this issue to find the hidden gems in the Daytona area. Take the time to rest. It is okay to not go out, or just sleep in. After all, how are you going to ace the next check ride or exam if you are brimming with stress or falling asleep in class?”

Sarah Ames Aerospace Engineering Senior

“The spring semester always seems tamer in comparison to the rush of the fall semester. The lines seem shorter, and people are more in their routines, coming back from the previous semester. The spring always seems to come with a sense of new possibilities as we resettle into the rhythm of campus life.

It may sound like a broken record; however, going out and engaging in this community can change your overall experience. It is often said that your first semester is where you get into the swing of college life, and the following semester is where you get involved. In my story, when I came into Embry-Riddle, it was in the middle of the pandemic; however, getting involved at the start of my second year led to many opportunities that I never thought possible. My encouragement for you is to put yourself out there. You never know who you might meet or what you might get involved with!”

Andrew Harker Aviation Business Administration Senior

“One of the most important things to do on campus is making sure you have some form of an outlet for creativity. I major in engineering, as does much of the Embry-Riddle community. As engineers, we take a lot of classes focused on logical thinking with very little focus or time allotted for creative thought.

Having a hobby or something creative to do is a great way to keep yourself motivated and energized throughout the semester. I personally have found photography to be a good outlet. I try to take a little time each week to walk on the beach or around town, and relax and take some pictures. Whether you enjoy drawing, writing, or another hobby I highly suggest you find something to put a little bit of free time into.”

Kyle Navarro Aerospace Engineering Senior

“Walt Disney’s phrase “moving forward” is a rule I have followed throughout my journey at Embry-Riddle. There will be times when you will doubt yourself, re-evaluate your decisions, and wonder if you still want to pursue this goal. This response is perfectly normal, and does not mean you are not good enough to succeed.

Your success at Embry-Riddle is fully up to your ambition. Utilize the multitude of support systems ERAU has in place to help you grow, whether it’s the tutoring lab or a professor’s office hours. While a professor may seem intimidating, they want you to succeed as much as you do, and speaking to them outside of class can offer the best aid in any situation. Make sure to ask for help as soon as needed, not at the end of the semester.

Another important phrase, especially in a small industry such as aviation, is that sometimes it is about who you know rather than what you know. Make as many connections as possible while at Embry-Riddle. Those connections could help you land your dream career, provide valuable insight into what you may be doing, or open the right doors of opportunity. This rule applies to your peers, guest speakers, and professors. Remember, your professors have worked in the field you are pursuing and may have contacts in the area you are looking for.

My last piece of advice is to be engaged. Something is always going on at ERAU. From clubs to guest speakers, there is always a way to be engaged on campus. I quickly became involved in student government and student organizations during the time pursuing my undergraduate degree. Not only was my involvement on campus one of the most memorable moments, but being able to put my campus involvement on my resume has opened so many doors for me that my degree alone would not have.

While you keep moving forward, ask for help when you need it, seek to be an engaged student, and remember to have fun and cherish the memories you make during this time. This period in your life will be one of the most memorable moments. It will include friendships that will last longer than the wait time at Starbucks, so enjoy these moments because the next thing you know, you will be walking across that stage at the Ocean Center, wondering how the years flew by so fast.”

Randon Senn MBA in Aviation Management Graduate Student