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New faces, new places bring a world of opportunities
A firsthand account of my freshman year in the UWM residence halls
By Michelle Sauer
My newfound independence was more intimidating than empowering, believe it or not.
I'm going into my second year at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and can hardly believe my first year has come and gone. The people I met and the experiences and knowledge I gained are enough to last me a lifetime.
I went into last school year feeling like any other college student, a little scared and unsure. My newfound independence was more intimidating than empowering, believe it or not.
I lived with a roommate who I wasn't previously acquainted with. (Don't let that scare you; I actually was thankful for the experience in the end.) Right away I found out that communication, understanding and compromise were all that my roommate and I needed to have a successful experience together.
For those in a single room, I recommend getting to know your suitemates. Having a roommate gives you an edge in the networking arena. However, there are at least two other people you will be sharing a bathroom with who you may want to get to know as well.
Though I rarely speak to my roommate now, and have not talked to my suitemates in quite a while, our time in the dorms was pleasant and full of memories I will always cherish.
Just living close to campus had some incredible perks. I loved having the freedom to sleep between classes in my own bed, pick up food from the various locations in and around campus, meet new people in the Union, or even the elevators for that matter, and many other such experiences.
I learned through living and going to school in the same location that it’s fun and also very necessary to get to know and make use of the resources and people that surround you.
People bring up a whole new topic of interest when discussing the dorms. I was definitely intimidated by meeting new people. As it turned out, networking was not that difficult for me, but it certainly seemed daunting at first.
I learned one of the best ways to meet people was to accept invitations to reach out to new acquaintances. Swallowing my fear and talking to the people around me as I went through my day was also a great strategy, whether this meant striking up a conversation in an elevator, in line at lunch or while waiting for a class to start. It's a diverse campus, and chances are you’ll find someone to connect with this way.
All in all, when asked about my first year I never give the same answer twice. Good and bad experiences came hand in hand, and not everything was easy. Yet the one thing I would single out as a great bit of advice for new students is to not be afraid of yourself. You are your biggest fear, believe it or not.
You will convince yourself no one will like you. You will scare yourself away from new activities. You will tell yourself class will be harder than it actually is. You will make time management barely manageable.
Once I got a hold of my insecurities and doubts and took charge, life became simpler. I met people, I learned new things, I participated and I felt like I had control over my life.
Your first year of college will be your most memorable year, so don't waste time now waiting and wondering.
Our school's motto is “Something great in mind.” Take that to heart and have something great in mind for yourself. It starts now.
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