By Sydney McCarter

Coming to college can be difficult. While the excitement of a new experience can be fantastic, it is easy to feel alone and out of place in an unfamiliar environment. Now that the school year has truly begun, the Torch crew is up and running. Our first task this semester was to talk to current Berea Sophomores and gauge their experience as Freshman now that their first year is complete. Below is a synopsis of our survey and interviews with sophomores.

“What was your favorite thing about your first year at Berea?”

1. Getting to be independent for the first time

Independence can be a great feeling when entering college, however, be sure to use this newfound freedom for good. Studies from schools like the University of Georgia and research published in the Journal of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences support the argument that students with more authoritarian parents are more likely to take unsafe and risk-taking behaviors than those who experienced independence earlier. Use college to test out new boundaries but ensure that your newfound independence leads to positive change.

2. Participating in extracurricular activities

Berea offers numerous extracurricular activities for a variety of interests and opportunities, some of which will be discussed later in this article. For students interested in getting involved, websites like Berea Engage offer great resources to find clubs and activities that match your interests and even align with your career goals. Many clubs on Berea’s campus have social media as well and use their platform to post updates related to upcoming meetings and events.

3. The opportunity to meet new people

Putting yourself out there in college and meeting new people can be a daunting task. However, all the other First Year students are in the same boat. Going to orientation events the first few weeks of college is a great opportunity to meet new people in a more structured environment. Activities like Mountain Day and other campus wide events provide the opportunity to engage with people you may not see on a day-to-day basis. While these events may seem ridiculous, or not like something you would usually participate in, giving these activities a try is worth the potential of meeting even a few other people you feel comfortable with.

“What is an activity you recommend first years to get involved with?”

1. CELTS

CELTS offers numerous opportunities for students to get involved in community service and civic engagement. Programs within CELTS include Berea Buddies, Habitat for Humanity, Teen Mentoring, and the Hispanic Outreach program. All of these groups provide a great space to give back to the greater Berea community.

2. Intramural sports

Intramural sports is a great opportunity to stay active while on campus, and have fun while doing so. intramural sports include basketball, volleyball, and indoor soccer. If you are interested in participating in intramural sports, you can start by downloading the IMleagues app to keep track of what sports are being offered each semester.

3. Arab Student League

The Arab Student League provides a space for all students to discuss Arab history and culture. The Arab Student League also provides a space for open dialogue related to current events and ongoing developments within the Arab world. Other clubs and organizations on campus that explore cultural identity and diversity include the African Students Association, the Latin American Student Organization, and the Asian Student Union.

“What is one thing you would warn incoming first years about?”

1. Work-life balance

Berea is known for its endlessly busy schedule. Finding a balance between classes, labor, and trying to have fun as a college student can be difficult. However, efficiently managing your time is possible. Strategies like planning when and how much of an assignment you need to complete each day can be a great way to break up your workload and ensure that there is not too much on your plate each day. Using resources like TAs, writing resources, and other student support systems can also ensure that what you are completing is quality work that meets college standards.

2. Do not settle

While the friends you have in your first year may be life long friends, often times this is not the case. You and the people you meet fresh out of high school or other life experiences may change as you progress through college. While it can be difficult to let these friendships go, it is more important to ensure that you are surrounding yourself with people who align with your goals and actively encourage you towards those goals. All friendships are important and may be great right now, but that does not mean that everyone is supposed to be in your life forever.

“What is the biggest piece of advice you would give the first years?”

1. Study

Professors at Berea love to tell you that College is not like High School and that you need to develop study skills. While this statement might seem superficial in the first few weeks of college, not spending enough time grasping course materials at the beginning of the semester can have serious consequences during midterms and finals. If you are struggling with finding a study skill that works for you, contact your TA for advisement. Often, a class TA successfully completed the class they are working in and will have specific skills and tips that can help you put together a solid study routine.

2. Mind your P’s and Q’s

Minding your own business may seem like a self-explanatory piece of advice, but in the opinion of the current Sophomores, this advice is rarely heeded. Not only is this advice something that will keep you in the good graces of your peers, but it will also keep your focus from wondering. There are only so many hours in the day, and Berea life fills most of them. Do not use the little time you have outside of class and labor and other activities focusing on the lives and updates of other people.

3. Stay authentic

While this advice may seem cheesy, that does not mean it is not true. It can be hard to stay true to yourself while in college, especially when its new and you want to make a good first impression. However, when you do not stay true to yourself, the friends you make and the relationships you form do not reflect your core values or what you would usually look for in the people you surround yourself with. By staying authentic, you will find yourself happier, and surrounded by people who share goals, opinions, and interests with you.

We hope that this article will help current and future first year students to make the best of their Berea experience and enjoy their time here!