Skip to main site navigation Skip to main content

Thrive On: The Campaign for Utica University →

Utica University Logo
  • Academics
    • Programs
      • Utica at Florida
    • Utica at Florida
    • Online Study
    • Graduate Study
    • International Ed & Study Abroad
      • Study Abroad
    • Exceptional Faculty
    • Research & Experiential Learning
    • Student Support and Success
    • Core Curriculum
    • Schedules and Resources
    • Institutes and Centers
  • Tuition and Financial Aid
    • Understanding Financial Aid
      • Value
      • Excelsior, Explained
      • University Scholarships
      • Endowed Scholarships
      • Annual Awards
      • Utica Enhanced Tuition Award
    • Applying For Financial Aid
    • Tuition and Fees
      • Tuition and Fees - Undergraduate Campus
      • Undergraduate Online Tuition and Fees
      • Florida Programs Tuition and Fees
      • ABSN Program Tuition
      • Graduate Tuition and Fees
    • Net Price Calculator
  • Admissions
    • First-Year Admissions
    • Transfer Admissions
      • Articulation Agreements
    • Florida Admissions
    • Graduate Admissions
    • International Applicants
      • International Inquiry Form
      • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Visit
      • Utica University Campus
      • Virtual Tour
    • Apply Now
    • Contact Us
    • Accepted Student Info
    • High School Counselors
    • High School Bridge Program
  • College Community
    • Living on Campus
      • Student Living
      • Campus Engagement and Student Activities
      • Dining
      • Greek Life
      • Campus Safety
      • Utica University Campus
    • Satellite Locations
    • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
      • Bias Incident Reporting
      • Community Connections
      • DEI Collaborative
      • DEI Events
      • Dialogue on Race and Equity
      • LACRELA
      • Our Staff
      • Pronouns
      • Readings on Race and the Black Experience
      • Utica University Stance Statement
      • Wilcox Center
    • The Utica Area
      • Hotels and Restaurants in the Utica Area
    • Utica Stories
    • About Utica
  • Athletics
  • News & Events
  • Alumni
  • Giving
  • Apply Now
  • Directory
  • About
  • Library
  • Logins
  • 75th
  • COVID-19
Utica University

Nine tips to help new students navigate the college experience

  1. College Community
  2. Utica Stories
  3. Nine tips to help new students navigate the college experience
Scott Nonemaker stands outside at Utica College campus.

In the News
Story Topics
  • Staff
  • Value
  • In the News
  • On Campus

By Scott Nonemaker, Dean of Students

Some people look forward to beautiful, sunny, 80-degree days. Others want to see the season’s first snowfall.

I look forward to the first day of classes for our new students. I always appreciate the excitement and energy that they bring to campus.

It’s cliché to say, but the campus really does come alive. Not only is there an excited energy, but there is also a nervous energy. This is a brand-new experience for many. It’s the nervous energy that gives me reason to write this essay. I want to share a few tips that may help ease students into their new identity as a college student.

Ask questions. If it’s on your mind, ask someone. The only way you will learn is to have some of those nagging questions answered. Your focus should be on your education. If you have questions that are distracting, you need to resolve them so you can concentrate. 

Get to know your faculty. Faculty can be an amazing resource. Once you build a good rapport with your professors, it will be easier to ask questions, focus on your studies and perhaps make a new friend/mentor along the way.

Talk with your classmates. Talking with classmates will help relieve some of the “mystery” of your college experience. It is likely that your classmates have similar concerns. Starting the conversation can be the hardest part, but the benefits will outweigh the few moments of discomfort.

Pace yourself. Things will come at you pretty fast in your first few weeks. Make sure you take some time for self-care. There is a lot of work to do, but you’ll be more successful if you balance your academics with some time for yourself and your friends.

Hit the books. College is not easy. The best thing you can do is schedule your time and build some self-discipline. A rule of thumb in college is to spend three hours of time studying for every hour in class. This may sound like a lot, but the time is well spent when you see the results.

Explore your college. Learn everything you can about what your college has to offer. The resources on campus are designed to assist you; your college will provide you access to health and counseling services, entertainment, career development, tutoring services, exercise facilities and more. Use them all.

Spend time on campus. If you live on campus, wait a few weeks before you go home. Homesickness is normal, but if you give in to the urge to go home too soon, it will slow your adjustment to college life. Use the time on campus to learn your resources, develop friendships and go to activities. The more time you spend on campus, the more comfortable you will be with your new home. 

Get involved. College is the place to figure out who you are. There are all kinds of clubs and organizations you can join: academic, social, service organizations and Greek life. Once you’re involved, you will learn about other things that interest you. Before long, you may even start your own club or become a leader in your favorite group. Your involvement will help keep you balanced and will also look great on your resume.

My final tip is to have fun. This is your experience. Make it fun. College is a place to learn inside and outside the classroom. Your studies should be on things that excite you and pique your interest. Your involvement should be things that are fun and give your mind a break from your studies. Make friends, attend events, smile a lot and laugh even more.  Your college experience will go by fast, so make sure you have fun too.

This guest essay originally appeared in the Observer-Dispatch on September 9, 2021

More Stories

NYS Supreme Court Justice Janet Malone '86 speaks at the 2022 Undergraduate Commencement ceremony.
Alumni

Making History - New York State Supreme Court Justice Janet Malone '86

In every respect, Justice Malone represents the values that define Utica University and its distinguished alumni. She is a true...
A graduate waves as members of the graduate class of 2022 exits the ceremony with their degrees.
On Campus

Graduate Commencement List 2022

Congratulations to the following students who were eligible to participate in the 2022 Utica University Graduate Commencement ceremonies. Please note...
Fishbowl view of graduates at Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony, May 12, 2022.
On Campus

Undergraduate Commencement List 2022

Congratulations to the following students who participated in the 2022 Utica University Undergraduate Commencement. Please note that there are instructions...
All Stories

I would like to see logins and resources for:

For a general list of frequently used logins, you can also visit our logins page.

Utica University Logo
FacebookTwitterInstagramYouTube
  • Academics
  • Tuition and Financial Aid
  • Admissions
  • College Community
  • Athletics
1600 Burrstone Road, Utica, NY 13502
Map & Directions
(315) 792-3006
Contact Us
  • Institutional Effectiveness
  • Bookstore
  • Disability Learning Support
  • Student Right to Know
2021-2022 College of Distinction2020-2021 New York College of Distinction2021-2022 Business College of Distinction2021-2022 Education College of Distinction2021-2022 Nursing College of Distinction2021-2022 Career Development College of Distinction2021-2022 Equity & Inclusion College of Distinction2021-2022 Military Friendly School

US News Award for Social Mobility