Aiesha McCalister

In a special summer newsletter for 2006 high school graduates, alumni gave their advice to the incoming freshmen about making a smooth transition to college. Check out their advice below:

Nou Chang (Southwest ’02) (one of Admission Possible’s first college graduates!)
Make good use of digging out information from the people and resources that are available to help you find the answers to all your questions.

Hnue Yang (Central ’03) Northland College
Don't be afraid to say hello or to be friendly to people you don’t know. This will be a great way to build connections right away in college.

Erik Chipman (Highland Park ’04) College of St. Scholastica
First and foremost, your new dorm room will be your home, so pack accordingly.  Make it feel like home.  Pictures, Posters, lights, whatever!  Also, you're only a first-year once, so enjoy yourself, and have a FUN year.  Your well being affects everything else.  This is college, so take advantage of it. ;)

Aiesha McCalister (Johnson ’04) University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
If you are living on campus, do not go home the first weekend. The first weekend of college is your chance to see what college life is like, meet tons of new people, and make new friends. If you are not living on campus I would say stay on campus as long as possible the first week; don't go home as soon as you are done with class.

Douachee Lee (Patrick Henry ’04) University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Join a student organization. It's one of the best ways to make friends and find familiar faces on campus. Just having people you know on campus eases the frustration and struggles of college.

Khou Yang (Harding ’05) University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Don’t study for all of your courses the same way--there are different test types that require different skills (multiple choice, true and false, short answers, and essay).  It’s also important to reward yourself after you have done well, such as receiving a good grade. 

Anong Vang (Patrick Henry ’05) University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
ALWAYS talk to your TA or make an appointment to see your professor if you don't understand anything.  Also, keep your advisors updated about your progress because they are very helpful.

Amber Rickard (Roosevelt ’05) St. Thomas
Avoid spreading yourself too thin. There will not be enough time to get involved in everything that seems interesting and fun. Decide what is most important to you, and go from there.