There’s a lot to keep track of as a freshmen at ASU. Coming straight out of high school and into a whole new world of dorm life, registering for classes, using your own free will to choose whether or not to even go to class, dealing with late nights and long lectures, and, of course, going crazy over college sports, it sometimes can be just a little overwhelming. Thankfully, one of our senior writers, a recent ASU graduate, is offering her top five bits of advice for incoming freshmen. They are as follows.
- Don’t take your advisor’s word for it. A lot of people have been messed up by their advisors. Double check what your advisor tells you about required courses on ASU Interactive under view/update academic records and then under view/request Degree Audit (DARS).
- Search for jobs now. I know you freshmen are dismissing this as premature, but your four years will go by more quickly than you think. I just graduated this past May and started the job hunt. I was unprepared for what I found. Learn from my mistake. Your college years will be better spent and have more meaning if you understand why you are gaining your degree. As you search and research you will find out what is important to an employer, for example internships versus grades. You may also discover that one degree opens more doors for you than another you are considering. Find out now.
- Gain experience in the field you would like to work in. Even if your desired career or goal does not require experience (although it probably does), this will allow you a glimpse into the life you might one day lead. Sure, you won’t be doing exactly what you are aspiring to do, but the incites gained from being in the environment of someone who is doing what you want to do will result in the following: 1) it will help you decide if you want to pursue that career path, 2) it will give you experience in that field, which may give you an advantage in the future, and 3) it will allow you to network.
- Talk to your professors. One day you will need recommendations, whether for grad school or for an employer. You don’t need to be a fake or a suck-up, you just need to make a connection so that they know who you are. Ask for help if you need it, or just ask them an interesting question (note that this should be done outside of class time if it is extensive; there is a fine line between being annoying and being bright-eyed and curious). If you do well in a course, ask the professor if they might be willing to write a recommendation for you in the future, and get their information.
- Join a club or sports team. Get a life; it won’t be handed to you. You must choose to take it, so get out there and do something. You will meet people, develop, and have good times. Also, employers like to know that their employees have versatility and good time-management skills. Extracurricular activities will help them recognize those abilities in you.
–MishMo
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