As my last summer before my freshman year of college came to an end, I was a bit anxious about was how I would adjust to a new place with new faces. I was on the cross country team, so I would be able to make new friends there, but I wanted to get a better feel for Geneva and for college life as a whole.
In my first week, I participated in Welcome Week with all the incoming freshmen. It was a fun, enjoyable experience that gave all of us the opportunity to make friends and form bonds with other students.
Once classes started, however, the fun and games of Welcome Week were in the past, and it was time for me to take the next step of my college career. As I began this new chapter in my life, one of the most helpful activities was the Learning & Transitions (L&T) course that Geneva requires of incoming students.
At first this was not my outlook; I was somewhat bitter about having to take the class. I already had a full schedule that I was worried about, and now there was this one-credit L&T course I had to take every Monday. It felt like an unnecessary burden that would get in the way of my studies.
As the first few weeks progressed, however, I realized that L&T had the opposite effect. It balanced everything else by helping me form good study habits and allowing me to address concerns I had about some of my classes. It also provided an opportunity to meet other freshmen in my major and learn from upperclassmen, with whom I have since become good friends.
I recall the benefits of L&T when thinking about the week I turned in my first college paper and took my first college test. I did not receive the grades expected, and I was quite concerned about how these two scores would mar my college career.
It wasn’t until the following week’s L&T class that I was able to put some of my worries to rest. We discussed some of the challenges of our first few weeks of college. It was refreshing to talk about it and hear other people talk about similar issues; realizing other people were in the same situation allowed us to address the problem together. I also remember talking with an upperclassman who was one of my L&T mentors. I had a couple of classes with him that semester, too. He helped to calm some of my worries, as well.
A few weeks later I turned in another paper and took another test. This time, however, I studied with some people from my L&T class and did much better.
The semester continued, and we talked about other issues like balancing faith and learning, our favorite classes and how we had changed since the beginning of the year. I continued to grow as a student and a Christian, as did others in my L&T class. While there were some assignments and papers to complete, I felt like they were simple reflections on those topics we discussed in class.
L&T was very helpful to me in adjusting well at Geneva. It helped me gain valuable study habits and form friendships I will have for years to come. This kind of attention to the needs of incoming students is what makes Geneva a special place. L&T transformed a skeptic like me into functioning college student by connecting me with a community of learners and a community of believers. It addressed my needs academically, socially and spiritually when I needed it most.
If you are interested in attending Geneva College, find out more by contacting the Admissions Office at 800-847-8255 or admissions@geneva.edu.
- Andrew Domencic '19
Opinions expressed in the Geneva Blog are those of its contributors and do not necessarily represent the opinions or official position of the College. The Geneva Blog is a place for faculty and contributing writers to express points of view, academic insights, and contribute to national conversations to spark thought, conversation, and the pursuit of truth, in line with our philosophy as a Christian, liberal arts institution.
Sep 5, 2017Small campuses come with a lot of benefits that students might not experience at a larger school. When choosing a school to attend, weighing the pros and cons can be really helpful, so here are some pros about attending a small school!
Dual enrollment is an opportunity for students to earn college credits in high school. Find out how you can get a head start on your degree!
Packing for college can be an overwhelming process. Here are some tips to improve the packing process...
Are you trying to find ways to make the most of your summer before you go back to school? Here are some tips for utilizing your time this summer!
The thought of enrolling in a college can be unsettling for there is much to learn. Geneva College offers a program called Closing the Gap that is designed to help prepare high school juniors and seniors for the college experience ahead. The program has three key areas of development: Intellectual Development, Identity Development, and Faith Development.
From the second I began college classes freshman year, it seemed like everything I knew about life had changed. Everything was unpredictable and somewhat intimidating. As a high schooler looking on toward your first semester of college, there are a lot of unknowns out there. Here's my advice after four years at college.
You just graduated from high school - congratulations! Now, reality may be hitting that the start of college will be here in a flash. I am here to gently nudge you toward being well prepared with a checklist of things to do before you attend college in the fall.
Leading up to your momentous senior year, there is so much to think about. What should the last year of high school look like? How should I prepare? What should I prepare for? Good questions. I would like to supply you with a basic “thinking list” rather than a "to-do" list. No pressure to do anything just yet, but I invite you to contemplate some questions and consider how you may answer them.
Summer Orientation is designed to welcome both incoming students and parents on a journey together along with Geneva faculty and staff to ensure a well-informed, smooth transition into college. The college strongly recommends that incoming students attend Summer Orientation.
I am here to tell you that you do not need to be a superhuman to get through college. To survive and thrive all four years of your time in college, or however long it takes, here are some things NOT to do while in college.
Learn more about Geneva College.
Have questions? Call us at 724-847-6505.
© Geneva College | All rights reserved
