Wright State University (WSU) welcomes new and returning students back to campus and to in-person campus events. Upperclassmen offer their advice to new freshmen and returning sophomores on how to navigate the in-person college experience.
Student concerns
Move-in for new and returning students begins Aug. 18 continuing through Aug. 21. First Weekend will follow, a program for incoming students spanning Aug. 20 till the start of the term on Aug. 23. All events and 70% of classes will return to in-person formats.
While eventful, some new students are intimidated by their new environment. Markus Perry, a first-year social work student, is intimidated about finding the right campus community and overall navigation of the college experience.
“I feel like my intimidation and nervousness came from being so new to campus. Where do I fit in? Who do I align myself with, and what is my identity going to be like on campus,” Perry wrote.
Freshmen are not the only students intimidated by the different environment.
Despite experience, sophomores also have concerns with the new in person formats. The covid-19 pandemic caused classes to move online and many staple campus events to be cancelled. Some second year students may be coming to campus for the first time, others are already engaged on campus and are taking on leadership roles.
“I’m nervous about in person classes since I have not had them in a year and a half. Being a Resident Assistant (RA) is also nerve wracking because I am supposed to be someone to help guide first years but I’m basically a first year myself,” sophomore Izabella Schenck wrote.
Advice from juniors and seniors
To ease these concerns upperclassmen offer advice to new and returning students on how to navigate the first weekend and the first week of classes.
Student body president Jonathan Ciero encourages students to embrace changes, exude confidence and be proactive about opportunities.
“My biggest piece of advice for first-year students is to be confident! Be confident when you meet new people, professors, other students, and administrators,” Ciero wrote. “Do all of these things with confidence and do not let anyone stop you from being you.”
Ciero, along with other student leaders and upperclassmen Faith Thompson and Sydney Wyatt encourage students to get involved and attend events.
The amount of activity and social interaction may be overwhelming for some students; however, Thompson encourages new students to attend events and learn about student involvement even if they do not commit in their first weeks.
Wyatt reminds students to maintain a balance between increased activity and mental health.
“find a balance between school, social life, and self care. After the time we have all endured, I think learning to care for yourself mentally should be a top priority,” Wyatt wrote.
Students needing to seek mental health help may contact WSU’s Office of Counseling and Wellness at either their main line 937-775-3407 or the Raider Cares 24hr emergency line at 937-335-4567.
