As their Trevecca experience draws to a close, a couple members of the Trevecca Class of 2018 offered a few words of advice to next fall’s incoming freshmen.
1. Go to Trevecca social events.
Going to Trevecca’s social events is a great way to understand Trevecca’s atmosphere. It’s also an excellent way to make friends. “Freshman year is a great time to attend the social events. You will meet friends and classmates. I benefited from going to all the exciting events on campus. Paintapalooza is a great way to meet people and have fun,” said Alana Grimaud, Trevecca senior.
2. Learn time management.
Learning how to balance work, school and a social life can be challenging, but it’s important to a successful academic life. Finding that balance will give you the time for school work and fun.
“Time management is huge! College is about learning how to balance social life, work and class. It is important to find a place to study. Go to the library or a coffee shop. It is easy to get your grade down, but it is hard to get your GPA up,” Grimaud advised.
3. Find a great study place.
Doing homework in your residence hall can get old. For various reasons, there will be times where you can’t concentrate on homework. So, its always good to find a study spot on campus. “I suggest going to the library,” Grimaud said. “ If you are the type of person who gets distracted by loud noises, a study room is perfect for you. Also, the study rooms on the dorm room floors are wonderful,” said Grimaud.
4. Set boundaries and compromise with your roommates.
Communication is key when it comes to roommates. It’s important for both parties to talk about their likes and dislikes. “My roommate and I roomed together all four years,” Grimaud said. “We worked out really well because we set the standards freshman year. Have a talk with your roommate about cleaning, bedroom routines, dishes, communication, etc.” Chances are, your roommate will be a great friend. Understanding that mistakes will happen will be healthy for the friendship. “Understand that there are going to be some growing pains, but don't give up on having a great friendship even if it seems difficult at the beginning,” said Savannah Lindsey, a member of the Trevecca Class of 2018.
5. Save, save, save!
As a college student, you probably won’t be rolling in cash. It’s always wise to have money saved for a rainy day. There are plenty of ways to save and the best way is to not spend money on unnecessary things. For instance, food. “The Caf is the main way I was able to save money, especially living in the dorms. You are already paying for a meal plan, and it's nice not having to worry about paying for groceries. I also made it a point to save money off the top of my paychecks. Set a percentage of each paycheck that you want to save and make sure it's the first thing you do once you get paid,” Lindsey said.
6. Explore the city!
Trevecca is in the middle of a beautiful city. Nashville is constantly growing and has many great places to explore with friends. This is your home for the next four years, so make a point to see what the city has to offer. “There are so many fun things to do in Nashville. Plenty of shopping and entertainment. The Preds and Titans games are literally 10 minutes down the road from us as well as concert venues and TPAC an off-Broadway theatre,” Lindsey said.
7. Use Trevecca’s resources.
Trevecca has many resources to help students succeed. As a freshman, you are learning and adjusting to a new environment. Don’t ever feel like your alone because there are many resources around to help. “Be intentional with yourself and don't be afraid to ask for help,” Lindsey advised.