9 “On Being A Beginner” with Emily
From almost a semester of being here, I have learned a lot about myself and campus life. I was always scared of looking new but others on campus don’t really care what you’re doing. Others will either ignore you or help you. Make sure you’re on top of registering for classes and housing for the next year. This was something that really snuck up on my friends and me. Housing especially fills up really fast.
Best advice for making friends or getting connected is to talk to the people around you. Reach out to the people you pass in the hallway often or you have a class with. Try talking to the people on your floor. Most of my close friends live on my floor. It seems scary, but you just have to put yourself out there. This is especially relevant at the start of the semester when everyone is getting used to their schedules and new classes. It truly does take some time and some awkwardness. I had many awkward conversations and some of those people I never saw again, while others are some of my closest friends.
Favorite spot on campus is Goodbody as it usually has really good food. There are also two awesome chill/study spots. The roof is really nice if the weather is good. There are many places to sit and the view is nice. They also have nice seating inside past the dining area. I also like its location. It’s pretty close to my dorm, the IMU, and the library. You can grab food there and be at the library or IMU in under 10 minutes.
Not sure what you are majoring in? Here’s my perspective on it: You don’t need to worry too much about picking a major. Take the time you can to explore and get to know yourself. Personally, talking to my advisor at the first advising meeting was very helpful. I told her some of the things I like and she was able to connect my interests to actual majors. That put me on the right path to my eventual major. It is important to choose something you are actually passionate about. If you don’t know what you’re passionate about try new things. Clubs are a great way to do this.
Good luck here at IU! Try to just take it one day at a time, and before you know it your first semester will be over. It can seem overwhelming here at first, but you’ve been a beginner before and you can definitely do it again. Don’t be afraid to reach out if you need help. There are so many resources available to you as a student, so use them.
Name: Emily Ledeczi
Hometown: Brazil, IN
Grad Date: 2027
Current Major: Fashion Design (College of Arts & Sciences)
Current Minor: Youth Development (School of Public Health)