Tips for Freshmen

By Melissa Turosik

 

While no students at Youngstown State University are the same, every student has experienced their first semester on campus. Not everything comes across easily for upcoming freshmen or newcomers to the school, so fellow students, faculty and alumni offered some advice on the best ways to survive this new academic chapter with success.

  • “The number one tip is go to class. We looked at data, this is research proven; the number one indicator of academic success is class attendance, which I think is good news for students. I think if they didn’t get a good ACT they might be thinking in their head, ‘This is going to be hard for me,’ but all the research said it’s not their ACT. It’s not their high school G.P.A. It’s whether or not they go to class and engage.” – Becky Varian, Director at Center for Student Progress
  •  “Find time to balance your outside activities so you can really focus on your school work and school requirements.” – Krista Ellis, YSU graduate
  • “Get to know your professors and respect them. They’re here to help you succeed because we’re all made for greatness. But, the only way for a professor to know who you are – you need to go to class.” – Rachel Vince, YSU junior
  • “If you don’t know what you want to do, stay undecided so that you won’t add on extra semesters and still graduate within four years. It’s far better than changing majors later.” – Tyler Killa, YSU junior
  • “Stay organized as much as you can.” – Joe Lyes, YSU senior
  • “Keep working hard and never hesitate to ask for help.” – Tamer Ilayyan, YSU senior
  • “Don’t be afraid to break away from your comfort zone. Push yourself to take on new opportunities, adventures and make friends from diverse backgrounds in order to find your true potential, as not only a student leader but as a lifelong learner.” – Cat Cooper, graduate assistant at YSU
  • “Take all the advice you’ve been given. Write everything down. Set that paper on fire. Not everyone is going to have the same college experience. Most of you will probably not graduate in four years and that’s okay. Make choices for yourself, not for others.” – Marissa McIntyre, YSU graduate
  • “Become interested in what you’re learning. Discipline yourself and have a set schedule for studying. Set an hour for each hour you’re in class to study.” – Bryan Phares, YSU junior
  • “The study guides are the most important part of studying. The peer mentors are very helpful with getting organized. There are computer labs all over the campus.” – Danielle Bondy, YSU graduate
  • “Spend time with people who are different from you. The lessons you’ll learn from them and they’ll learn from you will far outweigh any single classroom lesson.” – R.J. Markowitz, Coordinator of Adventure Recreation at YSU