An oldie, but a goodie! #repost
With the beginning of the semester quickly approaching, you may feel unprepared for the year ahead of you, no matter what grade you’re starting. Maybe you have some expectations about what this year will bring, maybe you have no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into. Either way, to help with your transition, here’s some advice from your friendly Catholic Terps upperclassmen.
For Freshmen:
“Establish good relationships with your professors and a group of students in your class. Although sometimes it’s difficult to remember, your professors really are there to help and you’ll be grateful for study groups you start forming early on.”
–Natalie Dagher, ‘17
“Don’t be afraid to say ‘yes’. Yes to trying new things, yes to hanging out with people you might not otherwise hang with, yes to spontaneous adventures. It might be awkward or a complete train wreck, but it also might be some of the most fun times you’ll have.”
–Celeste Joly, ‘19
“Look for people who will want to invest in you, those are your real friends.”
– Emilia Tanu, ‘17
“Pray. If you get swept away by all the things happening on campus, you’ll find yourself lost in all the craziness. Root yourself in the one thing that will be your anchor within that – Jesus. He will guide you when you face your first failures, He will be there whenever you need Him. Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer. (Rom 12:12)”
– Josh Batugo, ‘19
For Sophomores:
“You do NOT know everything. You’ve survived your first year. You had to learn a lot to get to this point, but the learning is not over. This is the sophomore plague: the feeling that you know it all. Be humble. Smile. Be kind.”
–Michelle Joseph, ‘18
“Don’t be afraid to say no to something if it makes your schedule too crazy. Personally, my inability to say no at times made me a little overwhelmed and ultimately, I wasn’t able to do certain things I enjoyed because of it.”
–Jesse Rao, ‘18
For Juniors:
“You’re still young! You aren’t in your last year yet. This is the time to try new things. The places you may want to work for will appreciate a candidate with diverse experiences, so take a class just for the fun of it. West African dance? Intro to soccer? Why not?! Take advantage of the classes offered now so you don’t have to pay for it after you graduate.”
–Quentin Robinson, ‘17
“Be vulnerable. If you feel like no one else would understand what you’re going through, find the courage to talk to a friend about it. They might surprise you. Facing your problems is so much easier if you let others in.”
–Alexis Thompson, ‘17
For Seniors:
“Befriend the lonely. That kid at Wednesday Night Dinner who sits alone, the sad guy in your team for class, the freshman who’s going on retreat for the first time…As seniors, we’re the role models and need to welcome others”
–Avellino Ernestanto, ‘16
“Try not to stress too much about jobs, grad school, or whatever is next. The year will fly by, so swim in the fountain, touch all the Testudos’ noses, and just enjoy every moment you have left at UMD!”
–Julie Betta, ‘16
We hope these tips help as you start your semester. If you’re new to Maryland, welcome! The Catholic Student Center is on South Campus, across the street from Commons 7. Feel free to reach out to us if you need help getting adjusted. Come join us at Wednesday Night Dinners, starting August 31st after 5:30 pm Mass. Go Terps!
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