We don’t know what we don’t know.
That goes for first-gen as well as our general population students entering college. Aptitude tests are stressing, college visits are pressing, and making a possibly thousands-of-dollars decision at just eighteen years old can weigh heavily on the mind.
What if you had a leg up on all that?
We spoke with residence life professionals about the top ten tips you should know before entering college, five you should know before moving onto campus, as well as five other things to be wary of before you get there.
- Student & Professional Staff are Authentic
“The concern that I interact with the most is what is there to support the student? I often get asked questions about the academic advisors, asked how proficient the professors are, how much school spirit there is, and about the tutoring center to name a few.”
Kyle Kern
Be this family! Get a feel for the people who you’ll be interacting with for the next four(ish) years and that they have your best interests at heart. Kyle Kern, New Student Orientation Leader at Bloomsburg University.
During undergrad, he wanted to go into the legal field and join the ranks of lawyers who helped protect justice, joining the pre-law club. Retaining an internship with the Snyder County D.A, Kern even took practice LSATs leading up to his senior year. He cites his role as a senior employee of the on-campus night club and leadership positions in his social and service fraternities for his interest in the student affairs field, and advises finding professionals that legitimately love the work that they do at your educational institution.
- Clean, functional living areas
Ask about the “live on” experience. Remember, this is your home away from home, so don’t settle! Think about what are your “deal breakers” in terms of conditions on campus, and actively participate in the discussion about what your rooming situation will be.
Are there study rooms in living areas, or kitchen appliances nearby? Take note if there’s A/C, and if it’s student-controlled. Wi-Fi, outlets, windows, and other questions that go beyond the surface level are best to decide what’s best for you.
- Ask about Educational Plan
Are RA’s planning active engagements or just a pizza party? You want programs that are fun, yes, but also beneficial. A pizza party combined with a study session is far better than just free food(though it does help!)
4. What utilities are made available to students?
Study rooms in res halls, on-call services, usable kitchen nearby, and an adequate number of showers for hallway are just a few utilities that should be available to you. If it isn’t readily shown, feel compelled to ask. You won’t regret it.
5. They have an expansive orientation program
I don’t just mean Here’s a pamphlet. Have fun. I mean a comprehensive walkthrough of what to expect on campus. My undergrad had a multi-step process with prospective visiting days, when on campus a theatrical reenactment of possible scenarios and what we could do to best navigate them, all before reaching res halls and being shown by your respective RA what hall expectations were (PLEASE do not burn your popcorn at 3AM; it sets the fire alarm off).
Now you know some signs that, yeah, you’re in good hands. Make sure your parents see these. Of course, if your parents are anything like mine, they’ll want to keep an eye out for what might not be so positive. Hey, better to catch the early signs before things get too bad. Here’s what to watch out for:
- The Red Zone
The Red Zone refers to the first few months, typically leading up to Thanksgiving Break, that college students are most susceptible to dangerous situations while on campus. Psychology Today has an excellent article here on signs to look for and be aware of for our first-years just heading to college.
- Don’t get too involved too quickly
This comes from Tom Moran, Assistant Resident Director at the University of Pittsburgh.
“I would recommend for incoming students to get involved around campus but to watch your involvement. A lot of students join as much as they can their first year and then they get burned out. Once you reach a point where you’re comfortable balancing everything, if you wanna pick something up, you gotta drop something else.”
Tom Moran
Moran credits much of his advice and personal success to his undergraduate career, where he served as senior community assistant for Susquehanna University and president for his fraternity. As an Asst. Resident Director, Moran interacts with students from all backgrounds, including first-gen, and primarily oversees RA’s and student leaders on his campus.
- The ‘Student Cop’ Stigma
“…part of the job is being seen as a student cop, and that’s mainly due to students being upset if they’re caught violating the rules of conduct …the job is honestly so much more than that. There’s programming, introducing students to each other and to campus, and mediation between friends. Most RA’s don’t see themselves as cops. They’re students first.”
Tom Moran
Don’t lock out the possibility of a positive relationship with your RA; they’re someone you want on your side, especially during your first year. Don’t fall into a negative habit of making an enemy out of them; you lock yourself out, they’re the ones taking their sweet old time to get back(as an RA myself, most lockouts are during dinnertime and late at night). Make them a friend, and they can vouch for your character if and when a situation arises.
- Higher ed professionals only talk to your parents.
“The traits I would tell a student to look for (in a university) would be: how do the staff speak to you in an open house, prospective student day, etc. … do the professionals talk to you or just your parents?”
Ricky Reiss
Look, you’re an adult, and deserve to be treated like one. If all questions and decisions about you are not directed towards you, you may not be seen as the ‘driver’ behind your choices, which is a huge misstep considering your parents won’t be the ones going to school: you are.
Take that one step further, and ask the staff about policies on campus to see how they react. While staffers cannot be 100% transparent about everything they work with, it’s vital to hear the “why” behind certain policies and determine if the school’s mindset matches your own.
- There’s no student support
Parents are concerned their kid won’t be supported, and this ties back to having an authentic group of professionals. Ricky Reiss, the Assistant Residence Director at Bridgewater College, advises looking for a college that prioritizes diversified and program-specific housing. For example, a university that openly has conversations around and centers decisions on promoting diversity may be a better choice for students of color than one that does not.
College will be among the most exciting, passionate years of your life. We’re just trying to make it easier for you. Become a part of the 1st Gen Class!
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