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Dear esteemed freshmen joining New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) this fall,

 

As a sophomore, I get it! We become so focused on our academics (which is indeed very necessary) that we start to forget the significance of a little relaxation and leisure that goes a long way in supporting us to maintain the study mindset. I’d like to take a few moments today to discuss why it is essential that you make the most of your college experience from the start. Entering the college atmosphere as a freshman can be absolutely overwhelming. 

 

It’s a big transition - but don’t be fearful!

It’s a change that we all face–whether it be the challenges of managing responsibilities or being a self-advocate. The time goes by so fast that you have to act now. If there is one thing you should remember after reading this article today – it’s that I want you to never forget that college is more than just attending class, taking exams, and doing your assignments on time; it’s a lot more. Trust me - I was in the same boat just one semester ago!

 

And honestly, the words I am about to express are coming from an exceptionally introverted freshman who would go straight home right after class ended. One year ago, on September 6th of 2023, I walked into my first class at university with thoughts of how I was going to get through my first 2-hour lecture. Everyone always told me college was a big difference from high school, but that meant so many things prior to being exposed to it firsthand. 

 

Having only the experience of 40-minute classes in high school, navigating through a two-story building, and the day ending at 3:15, this was truly a new experience for me. I personally remember myself always having a difficult time adjusting to new standards prior to my freshman year, and this was especially true before high school. This included having trouble making friends, negative thoughts of what others might think of me, and simply being confident. Personally, I’ve made the most friends being a college student. 

 

This is one of the many reasons I am so thankful to NYIT - I broke free from those fears. Okay, stop rambling Sameer — back on topic. 

 

Get Involved!

Why do I say, “this is your chance?” This may sound obvious yet so many students miss out. Make sure you join a club. It could be one club, or several depending on how much time you can allocate, but please take the initiative to join any club that interests you. 

 

NYIT has an abundance of clubs, including ones for learning how to build computers to writing for student-based newspapers i.e. The Campus Slate and The Manhattan Globe. There’s even multiple ones for science and medical professions like the American Medical Student Association. So, there's no excuse not to join! Sure - you are likely to make friends and create strong bonds in your classes, but clubs are the ideal spot! There’s no better feeling than having some fun, taking some time to relax your brain from the constant school workload, and doing something that interests you and your friends all while you are together. Sometimes as a bonus, there’s even free food too!

 

You will have the time to share hobbies and ideas, and even find a study buddy for your next exam. Ironically, during the middle of my first semester of college, I remember meeting a now close friend of mine, at the South Asian Student Association meetings, only to know he was in three of my classes from the beginning. It surprises me to this day, but now I understand how many of us are so focused towards our studies in class (which we should be) that we may not pay attention to who’s around us. While many of the classes you’ll take throughout your college career will be more of the ‘sit and listen’ environment, you will definitely take some courses such as a science lab, and data literacy which will allow for more teamwork and interactivity - so that is another great opportunity to make more friends and socialize!

 

Build Strong Connections with Professors and Peer Students

The next important consideration to make sure you spend college life to the fullest is staying in contact with your professors. Make sure you keep in touch with them. As a college student, you are expected to have more responsibilities, and one of those is keeping strong communication with your professors, peer student mentors, and advisors. Often professors are teaching so many students at once and have other duties outside of their lectures, so they can forget who is having trouble and who is understanding the coursework properly. Lots of help is available. 

 

Don’t be hesitant to reach out to them if you are having trouble in a certain class, need study tips, or have a concern with the homework. They are there to support you. Now, even if you don’t necessarily have any questions related to the course, still be sure to stay in touch with them. Share your hobbies and career goals with them! I say this because one of the greatest things that happened in my freshmen year was getting to know my favorite writing professor of all time. 

 

He is Professor Horton, the advisor of the Manhattan Globe, and now The Campus Slate too. It all started when I had him for Writing I: Fundamentals of College Composition last fall. To this day, I feel so fortunate to have had him so early on in my college career. His class, on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8 am, was indeed the best start to my day and was my energy fuel for the week. Professor Horton is not only an excellent mentor, but such a kind, caring, and affectionate person. Both - his experience in journalism and love for working with students truly helped me regain my confidence and passion for writing. 

 

During the Spring 2024 semester, which was the second semester of my freshmen year, I remember I was sitting in Salten cafe one day working on my math homework. All of a sudden, it came to my mind that I should try to get involved in some extracurriculars on campus since I was doing pretty decent academically. Maybe I should see if I can balance my studies with a club? I recalled Professor Horton announcing his role in the school newspaper from class last fall. I thought – should I consider joining? 

 

Thinking it over multiple times, I wasn’t sure if I was so ready to take on a staff position for The Globe yet. But, I said to myself, “you know what - maybe I’ll ask him about the qualifications or skills that would be necessary. It doesn’t hurt to ask.” Upon slightly mentioning my excitement for video editing and writing, Professor Horton didn’t hesitate even a second to reach out to the editor-in-chief, Natalia Chancafe, and managing editor, Ola Abozid, to let them know I was joining.

 

He was genuinely so happy that I think he might’ve forgotten to ask me if I was ready for it! This moment just speaks one example of truly how kind and friendly Professor Horton is. From that day on, I have been extremely blessed to work with him as well as many talented students I met as part of the team! This was the place I was so fortunate to have the opportunity to put my passions to life. I am incredibly grateful for all the trust and courage Professor Horton had in me that he even allowed me to come to the city with him last semester to record special footage to edit and upload on The Manhattan Globe YouTube channel. 

 

In addition, I had my first published piece as part of the newspaper in time for the annual commencement issue! So many exciting things happened in just a span of two months, and it wouldn't have been possible without the best advisor. 

 

Over the summer, I woke up to an email from Professor Horton one morning towards the end of July about how he was reappointed as the advisor of The Campus Slate, and he formally invited me to join that team as well. This was huge news as I only had the experience of two months working on a student-based newspaper. With deep gratitude, I announce Professor Horton has truly given me the wings to soar, and has appointed me as one of the managing editors of The Slate. I am also extremely proud to announce that I have the opportunity to work with an exceptionally talented writer and Globe colleague, Beste Tatlican, who I was so fortunate to meet in May at a special commencement issue distribution event as part of NYIT’s class of 2024 commencement ceremony. She is the editor-in-chief of The Campus Slate! Beste always brings a lively mood to our meetings, has a ton of great ideas, is a huge asset to the team, and is a wonderful friend who has been incredibly supportive. Beste brings such outstanding leadership and dedication, which truly makes our team a second family. It has been an absolute honor working with her, alongside such an amazing staff.

 

Professor Horton, if you are reading this, I can’t thank you enough for all that you have given me, from such valuable feedback on my essays to a huge leadership position on one of the best platforms. You are an invaluable mentor and an inspiration for all of us. Thank you for being you. 

 

I can go on and on, but I have to stay focused on the main reason fellow college students came to read this article.

 

So, back to what I was saying earlier - always be sure to stay in touch with your professors. Build on your professional future starting now. The impact of a short conversation just like ours can have endless possibilities for a bright and successful tomorrow. You will have the opportunity to meet more people, expand on your skills, learn something new outside of the classroom, and above all, bring dreams to reality.

 

Maximizing Use of Time

As a college student, you’ll also face times when you will have multiple exams and/or assignments due in one week, maybe even back to back. This is something that every single college student faces regardless of their major. As much as daunting as it may seem, it is an experience you will learn from, and it will come as an important factor in the process of shaping you into a responsible adult. Why do I say this? You will learn the essentiality of time management. This is something that will not only be useful in college, but as you head into the workforce. Don’t be scared of experiences like these. 

 

When such challenges do arise - it is up to you how you allocate your time to some of the exams and assignments that need extra focus, and the others that you feel confident about. Above managing all this, you will have the opportunity to learn how to incorporate the maintenance of your health and create a balance between everything life throws at you. This means keeping in mind the routine to exercise, eating healthy meals, and getting ample rest so you can concentrate to full capability in the classroom.

 

Become the master at organization!

When it comes to allocating more time to some tasks over others, it is essential to practice strong organizational habits. Keep a handy schedule planner, note all of your upcoming homework due, as well as exams you need to study for. Create a to-do list that emphasizes all the tasks that need to be completed in a specific time matter. If you like to be creative, feel free to incorporate some art into your list to help you stay motivated. The best satisfaction is when you get to check off items as you make progress. Overall, this will support you in avoiding adding unnecessary stress. Completing assignments and memorizing lots of content for your exams can be a lot to begin with. You don’t want to have to worry about the need to check your course modules section on Canvas frequently just to know what should be prioritized. 

 

This will set yourself up for success, as you will likely notice better grades and academic performance. And, the best part is - once you start implementing these strategies early on in college, they will indeed be very useful as you head into the job world. The ability to stay organized, and efficiently time manage is something that will always be crucial no matter what you do.

 

The Career of Tomorrow starts with the Networking of Today

When we start thinking about our future careers… the process begins now. Be sure to take full benefit of career fairs, resume workshops, and opportunities to get a head start on your professional network. The experts who run these events are fellow students – seniors and graduate students – as well as faculty and staff. So your guides are highly qualified leaders who navigated the same experiences of applying to jobs, the desire to be confident in interviews, and knowing the qualities employers and hiring managers often look for in potential candidates. Students can get one-on-one advice on improving their resumes, and discuss future career goals based on areas of study and passion.

 

Be a Leader! You have the potential.

Clubs will always serve as a place to create a fun-filled environment, a place to reduce anxiety, as well as a great chance to work collaboratively. However, if you would like to take further leadership initiatives for valuable experience, look no further and consider applying to become a part of an executive board of any club that interests you, or even Student Government Association. Applications are typically open every semester, so step forward! (This will look good on your resume!)

 

Don’t miss this grand opportunity to enjoy every aspect of what college life has to offer. Don’t let one poor grade on an exam define your thoughts or your future. What matters most is that we learn and grow from the challenges we face. This goes for university and beyond. Never stop pursuing greater and bigger dreams. Don’t be shy to speak up, make friends, and create the ambience you want. If you are facing a difficult time in class, stumble upon an assignment, or are not adjusting to a change you were expecting to be a breeze, someone else may likely be going through the same situation. 

 

You won’t know until you are confident and share what is on your mind. Everyone on campus is here to help you. You just have to take the lead, not be hesitant to reach out, and as a result, doors to countless possibilities will unlock. This is your time to explore life as an undergraduate, develop as the person you want to be, and build stronger and lasting connections. This is your chance, everyone.