What I wish I had known: Develop a mentoring relationship with a prof
When I was a freshman I wish I would have known that your college experience is what you make of it. Having a great attitude and looking for ways to be involved will make your college career worth so much more!
It can be a challenging time filled with lots of stress and struggles, but it is also a time to learn about yourself and to have tons of fun. Classes and grades are important and should be taken seriously, but there are also other important aspects like building relationships with friends and faculty.
When I started at BGSU four years ago, I was unsure about what I wanted to study. I really enjoyed my art history class and the professor who taught it. I built a strong relationship with her and other faculty members in the department who gave me career advice and helped me through college.
I highly advise developing a mentoring relationship with a faculty member in whatever department you choose to study. As professionals in the field, they know a great deal about different career paths and will help with applications and reference letters for whatever you choose to do after college.
The second word of advice I have is to take your freshman year seriously! The transition can be difficult with changes in how classes are structured and time management is an important skill to learn. If your grades plummet as a freshman, you will be digging yourself into a hole that will be hard to get out of, and classes only get harder as the years go on. I don’t want to scare you, but it is truly worth it to not slack off your first year.
There are so many tools on campus to help you maintain your grades. The Learning Commons tutoring center and meeting with professors are all things I have done and suggest even if you don’t think you need help. What harm is there in having someone take a second look at a paper you wrote?
The last word of advice I have is to get involved! There are so many campus organizations to choose from and it is a great way to meet friends and may open doors for the future. I became a member of the Art History Association as a freshman and later became the president. This position brought challenges and allowed me to gain skills outside of the classroom.
With my involvement in many campus activities, studying abroad and the support from my advisers, I landed my dream internship at the Museum of Modern Art after graduation! If you would have told me when I was a freshman that I would be moving to New York for this position in four years, I probably would have laughed at you in disbelief. Through my experiences and relationships at BGSU I gained the skills and knowledge to be accepted to the program and I couldn’t be more thrilled! I truly hope you have an excellent experience at BGSU and make the most of your time hear. Roll Along!