1. Do not be afraid to ask for help. One of the most common mistakes that students make is they believe that they have to do everything on their own accord and that everyone else is taking it into their own hands and doing it on their own. At some bigger schools, it can be very hard to receive help and it can even feel like you have to do it on your own. However at the University of New England this narrative is beyond false. Instead, the University of New England offers plenty of different resources and opportunities where students can receive the help they need without having to spend any extra money. In your first year of college the adjustment can be really difficult because for most students it is the first time that they are really living away from their friends and family. Not only that, but also the class schedule can be very different because typically there is a lot more work than in high school. The stakes might feel a little bit higher because you are paying to be here. In our time here at UNE, we have found that the university is not trying to hang us out to dry, they have created and developed plenty of different programs and initiatives to help keep students on track and so they can feel at home and comfortable in this new environment. However, no matter how many programs they have to offer, it ultimately comes down to if we are willing to take advantage of and use these opportunities. It is important to remember that using these resources does not mean you are less smart than your peers, or that you don’t know what you’re doing. Instead, taking advantage of these opportunities actually means that you care about your education and are willing to do everything you can to succeed.

2. School is important but YOU are also very important (Mental Health). Do not get it twisted, doing your homework, taking your tests, and showing up to class on time is a necessity. However, that does not mean that you should not take care of yourself at the same time. It is extremely important to get a sufficient amount of sleep. It is also important that you are able to take care of your body, whether that means to the gym , eating enough food to sustain a healthy diet, or even giving yourself a mental break so that you are not constantly working all the time.  Making sure that you understand your body and that you work to develop that self-awareness will help take your grades and education to the next level. As mentioned in the last lesson, college is a very new and unique experience which can come with many challenges that we did not anticipate. One big challenge that often comes up especially with freshmen is struggling with mental health. When going into something new for the first time there are often a lot of nerves and fears that come into your mind. Sometimes, there are going to be situations where you begin to feel overwhelmed and like there is so much work to be done and not enough time to do it. In these moments it is important to make sure that you care for yourself and your own health. Understand that yes, class is very important and the work does need to be done. However, you should never compromise your own health and well-being if at all possible. Do not use it as an excuse to skip and fall behind, but also recognize that you matter, and at the end of the day being healthy and in a good state of mind is what is most important. Tying into the last lesson, this is also a good moment to remember that when dealing with mental health it is never a bad thing to reach out for help whether that be to a Resident Advisor or to a school provided councilor or even just your roommate or friends. People will not judge you, instead they will support you to the best of their ability. 

3. The social aspect of college and trying new things is equally as important for developing your identity. When people think about the social aspects of college they think of partying and skipping class. However, social life in college is way more important than just partying. In fact, the people that you develop friendships with are most likely to be some of your best friends for the rest of your life. Entering into college your goal should be to discover people who have similar interests and who have a strong drive to succeed. These people are going to influence you and the decisions you make on a daily basis for the next four years at least. It is okay to be very selective in who you choose but it is also important to be open and willing to meet new people. However, also recognize that who you were in high school is not who you have to be here. In most situations, you are going to be surrounded by people that you did not know at all going into the year. This means that you can be the person that you want to be. We advise you to never pretend to be someone you’re not, and instead be the truest, best version of yourself that you can be. When you do that, you will attract all of the people that are similar to you and you will help avoid falling into a situation where you do not feel comfortable being yourself. With that being said, college is also a time where you can find yourself. In college there are so many unique opportunities and fun events that occur around campus that you probably never got the chance to see in high school. Of course there are the very common things like sports and clubs, however, here at UNE there are a plethora of different opportunities from Ghost hunting shows, Spring Concerts, or even different travel courses. All of these different opportunities are a chance for you to discover what your interests are, and is also another opportunity to meet new people who share similar interests to you.  Not every opportunity you encounter are you going to enjoy, and that’s okay too. If you do not take advantage of every social opportunity and event provided then you are never going to know if you enjoy said opportunity and you will miss out on that chance to be able to interact with new people and develop potential relationships.