Illustration by Bryce Snyder
Benjy Egel
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Transitioning from high school to college means less regimented schedules and parental supervision.
The people, nature and activities in San Luis Obispo make Cal Poly great, but can also make studying difficult, Student Life and Leadership Coordinator Adrienne Miller said.
“It’s important to do some time management to plan and make sure that students allocate enough time for studying,” Miller said. “They have to be self-directed to make sure they get their work done.”
College students are surrounded by distractions, but they must be mature enough to know when to study.
Most subjects command only four hours a week of class time, excluding labs. Professors expect students to learn outside the classroom, and some lecture without allowing time for questions.
Students can use office hours to connect with busy professors or get further explanations on course material, Miller said. The freshmen residence halls are designed for students to build relationships and collaborate on academics.
“Living among other students, there are the opportunities to develop an excellent support system,” Miller said.
Beside academics, workout routines can fall by the wayside under the pressure of the new responsibilities and commitments freshmen encounter.
Business administration junior Laura Ashton ran hurdles in high school and didn’t want her fitness to dissipate in college. During Ashton’s first year, she made sure to take a study break every once in awhile to go for a nighttime run.
“It was kind of my way to release stress and anxiety,” she said. “It just felt so good, and it was so nice to take a shower afterwards … and then it was easier for me to get back to studying.”
Maintaining a healthy diet can be difficult on a meal plan. Ashton ate lots of fruits and vegetables while avoiding fat-laden dishes, she said.
“I tried to eat the salads a lot, and the chicken breasts,” she said. “I kind of stayed away from the cheesy lasagnas and random (entrees) that they had.”
Finding time to hit the Recreation Center or take a much-needed nap is better than constantly working, Miller said.
“Take care of yourself. Be healthy. Eat right. Get enough sleep,” Miller said. “The big thing is to balance your co-curricular activities with your academic activities.”
Perhaps the most difficult part of transitioning to college is leaving an established support group and finding a new set of friends.
Getting involved on campus is the easiest way to meet people and get over homesickness, theatre arts senior Devin O’Brien said. But if life gets too overwhelming, nothing is wrong with heading home every once in awhile.
“Keep an open mind, do new things and have fun,” O’Brien said. “If things are too stressful where you are, don’t be afraid to go home for a weekend.”
As a member of the Week of Welcome (WOW) orientation team, O’Brien teaches WOW leaders how to help students feel at home in San Luis Obispo.
Even a small act such as keeping a dorm room door open can help a student make friends during the hectic first couple weeks of school, O’Brien said.
“When you move into the dorms, just always keep your door open,” he said. “Always be ready for anyone to walk in; keep an open mind there.”
WOW ends with a club showcase where groups across campus set up booths and recruit potential new members.
Joining a club, or at least signing up for future contact with officers, opens doors to new experiences, O’Brien said.
“Sign up for some clubs, stuff that you’re interested in or stuff that you’ve never done before,” O’Brien said. “Always say yes to every opportunity, and don’t be afraid to try new things.”
Showing interest in organizations can help students get involved in extracurricular activities, but no one can do everything.
Freshmen involved in many high school clubs often have to cut down their commitments to keep up in the classroom, Miller said.
“It’s important to get involved in a club, organization or activity that will help nurture your needs and make you feel happy to be here,” she said. “But at the same time, you don’t want to overextend yourself.”
The most important value for freshmen to remember is balance, Miller said. A healthy body should complement a healthy mind.
“When it comes down to it, if I had to give advice, it would be to take care of yourself physically and emotionally as you pursue your academic education,” she said.