There are so many great experiences I had in my first year of college.
However, I have some regrets too. If I could go back in time here are a few things I would have done differently, especially when it comes to getting outside my comfort zone Here are some tips to help you learn from my experience.
Join Clubs and Organizations
Joining a Whittier College club or an organization is a great way to get involved on campus and also a great tool for making friends. I wish I had involved myself in clubs that I found interesting, as I would have met more interesting people who I would have had things in common with. I also would have been involved in cool activities or adventures.
Explore More
Getting off campus and exploring the Whittier area or surrounding areas is something I wish I had done more of. There are a lot of cool things to see in LA County, from hiking spots to museums that I have yet to see. Make sure to make use of your weekends!
Expand Social Groups
Along with joining a club, I wish I had interacted more with people in my classes. Taking the time to talk with a classmate before or after class is always a great way to make new friends.
Go Abroad During Jan Term or May Term
Jan Terms and May Terms abroad are so cool. You can travel with a class in a different country for two weeks! Plus the school offers a scholarship, the Global Poet Scholarship, of $2,000 to travel abroad through the College which becomes available your second year at Whittier. I was supposed to go to Greece last May but unfortunately it was cancelled due to COVID. Now I wish I had taken a trip earlier on in college.
Apply for Scholarships
There are so many scholarships drifting around in the universe. Yes, some require an essay or a little extra work, but because of this there are many scholarships that end up with no recipients. So, if you have a day off, I highly recommend searching for some scholarships, especially ones that center around a major that you may be interested in. This can save you some serious money.
I’ve realized how many opportunities surrounded me my first year. I wish I had been better about getting out of my comfort zone, because as great as my first year of college was, it could have been even better. I also wish I hadn’t been so passive about scholarships as I realized I could have probably gone to school almost free if I had just applied for a few. Make sure to get out of your comfort zone, make memories and friends, and save some money on school!
