Freshmen: First off, welcome to VCU.
I might not be the best ambassador, but hopefully something somewhere in this address will equip you for the rough streets surrounding Monroe Park.
The first bit of advice I can offer is to create relationships with your professors. Do not hesitate. Introduce yourself on the first day of class. Avoid waiting until the last few weeks of the semester. Everyone seems to do that, and that’s when people get stressed out. Skip the anxiety. If a professor knows you, a solution can arrive sooner than later.
A relationship with a professor can also help in the future. You might need a letter of recommendation. You might need help in deciding on your major or minor. If you have a strong rapport with your professor, these tasks should be no sweat.
Secondly, buy cheap books. Resist the temptation to stand in long lines on the hottest days of August at the bookstores. Believe me, those lines do reach outside. Try using online sources, like half.com or amazon.com, for purchasing books. Just make sure you order as soon as possible – anything can happen to your mail.
The next parcel of advice might be the most important: Be social. This is not high school. Start over if you’d like. If you live in the dorms, this should be rather easy. If you live off campus, join an organization and utilize time with your classmates. You never know what could happen.
OK, I lied. Maybe this is the most important element of your freshman orientation: Do not depend solely on your academic advisors. They are few. You, the students, are many. When you meet with your advisor, come with a list of questions. Also ask for paperwork. If you’ve decided on a major, ask for that department’s graduation checklist. This is your education. This is your money that you’re spending here. Take some control.
Lastly, I want to leave you with three syllables of survival: “internship.” Apply for every internship possible in your desired field of study. This will allow you to gain hands-on experience before you graduate with a particular degree and land a job in a field you realize you hate.
Like I said before, I might not be the best ambassador, but I hope this piece helps. Good luck and much success.
Stephen Hicks is a May 2007 graduate of the School of Mass Communications.