A Whole New World: The First Few Days of College
The day has finally come; Vanderbilt’s Class of 2016 will be moving TOMORROW! A year ago this was me, and while I was beyond excited, I was also very nervous. College was the first time I lived away from home, and I know this will be the case for many students in the upcoming class. Whether you’re a student from the Nashville area or overseas, or a student who knows many students at Vanderbilt or absolutely no one, here are a few tips to help you kick off your first year at Vanderbilt successfully!
1. Open ‘Dores: After you moving in, most people find themselves adjusting their rooms the next few days to get things comfortable. This can lead to you being stuck in your room and secluded from others. Opening your door the first few days of college is a way to meet others in your hallway while still having the ability to get everything ready before you start classes. 2. Common Ground: All of the Commons houses provide great study areas within the houses for students. If you’re able to do homework in an environment with background noise, work on it in your hall’s common room. I met some of my closest dorm friends in the common room. If you need a quiet environment, use the seminar rooms. Each house has one, and it provides the opportunity to meet students from different floors in your house. Finally, the Commons Center is a great study area where all the first years congregate. Common Grounds (the Munchie Mart) is even open 24/7!
3. Food Challenge: Here’s a challenge for you. For the first week of Vandy, sit by a new person for every meal. Yes, it will be a little awkward, but this is the opportune moment to reach out and meet as many people as you can. Eventually, students will begin to form friend groups, and it could be strange to randomly join a tight knit lunch bunch. So sit next to a fellow first year eating alone in the Commons Dining Hall, they might become your close friend. These are three short tips that will help you adjust to your newfound college life. Remember, these first few weeks are different for not just you, but everyone. So don’t be discouraged if the first few days are filled with awkward conversations and hesitation about Vanderbilt or college in general. Just keep putting yourself out there, and you will have a great first year experience!