Change of Seasons and Lifestyle

As the cold weather arrives, and the leaves fall quickly from the trees, winter coats, scarves, and hats are replacing warmer weather clothing on campus. These seasonal changes remind me of my own transition and lifestyle change - from a high school environment to collegiate life. There are varieties of exciting changes a student can expect when they begin their new life at Drew University.

The most dramatic change is the opportunity to fashion many aspects of a new lifestyle. From the meeting of a new roommate to the decorating of a beautiful new dorm room, campus life allows you to mature as an adult and begin making your own choices based on your own preferences.  Choosing your classes, a potential major field of study, your daily meals and snacks (the variety of delicious and new food choices is endless), not to mention meeting hundreds of new people is both exhilarating and empowering.  Your daily schedule is yours to determine. Whether you are a getting a coffee between classes in Java City, or having dinner in Commons, there is always a place to find conversation and nourishment. You realize that you are truly in control of your own college experience.

While this is exciting, it is also daunting and most first year students have not covered this ground before.  Do not worry.  There are numerous resources at Drew to ease the transition.  The Resident Assistants living in the dorm with you, who serve as leaders to help your transition, are kind and helpful in directing you to anything you may need. The teachers are caring and approachable, and the class sizes are relatively small and engaging. Your faculty advisor is another source of guidance to help your transition from a high school classroom to a collegiate setting. Conversations with professors and advisers can be some of the most thought provoking and stimulating discussions a student can experience.

There is much more free time to explore new activities, clubs, or sports. I was delighted to get an opportunity to write for our school news paper, The Acorn, and to contribute to the blogs for Admissions.  Both activities were unplanned yet rewarding opportunities that I found once I arrived on campus.  The flip side, to more free time and the opportunity to pursue your particular interests, is the need to develop time management skills so that you can manage a college level curriculum. As you grow and experience new things, you will make new friends and be exposing yourself to a diverse student body and exchange of ideas and viewpoints.  I am constantly learning new things every day, in my classes, and through interaction with my peers and friends. There are many aspects of college life that differ from your high school experience but the personal growth and exciting change you will experience at Drew is something to look forward to!