Welcome to the Gustie class of 2027! As you settle in and get acquainted with your dorm – and school life in general – we at the Gustavian Weekly (better known as simply The Weekly) would like to provide you with the “Weekly’s Declassified School Survival Guide.” This guide will cover some important topics, from how to navigate college classes all the way to popular locations to spend your down time.
Number one: Regarding classes, be wary of overloading yourself; not just with work, but also with your personal life. Involving yourself in too many activities or taking on too many projects at once can lead to burn out so remember – slow down, space out your workload, and really take your time to explore what (if any) extracurricular activities you would like to engage in. Planning a balanced schedule can be helpful for your new college life. There are always resources available to you to help you navigate this. There is the Academic Support Center in room 107 of Anderson Hall, The Writing Center in room 104 of Anderson Hall, and your personal advisor.
Number two: Course materials can be daunting. There are so many things to buy for all of your classes and there is also the matter of how expensive they are – textbooks in particular. However, there are options available to you in order to reduce these costs. For one, there is an initiative between the Center for Inclusive Excellence (CIE) and the Book Mark (Gustavus’ campus bookstore). This initiative seeks to help students who are from underrepresented communities or are facing financial hardship by providing a $350 award for academic supplies or textbooks. “[We] often refer students to this excellent resource when they mention they are having any difficulty covering their course material costs,” Assistant Book Mark Manager Erin Kuiper said. The requirement for this is that you must be at least one of the following: from a historically underrepresented group, a first-generation college student, identify as LGBTQ+, multilingual, or eligible for a Pell Grant or MN State Grant. If you meet at least one or more of these criteria, you must submit an essay to apply, the prompt for which can be found on the CIE’s page within the Gustavus website. “There is no deadline. This is a semester based award, thus it only is valid for the semester indicated on the application. Additionally, it is a first come, first serve award based on the funds that are available,” Director of Inclusive Excellence Tom Flunker said. So, in other words, the sooner you submit an application, the better.
Number three: Do not be afraid to form new connections but do not be discouraged if none happen immediately either. Friendships do not always happen immediately, but that is okay. Taking your time to evaluate who is a good fit for you is a way to potentially find long-term connections. On the other hand, if you get too stuck on how many friends you have made or befriend everyone, there is a possibility that it can have the opposite effect of what you have intended. Again, take your time, go slow, and open yourself up to new possibilities. If you need help navigating mental struggles or interpersonal relationships, the Counseling Center is available to you in room 105 of the Johnson Student Union, better known as the Campus Center. Additionally, the Counseling Center now has resources to provide international students help in adjusting to life in a different culture. The Counseling Center also offers a resource known as “Let’s Talk”, a thirty minute session designed to give students the opportunity to get things off their chest and help those who are momentarily struggling without committing to a full session booked with the Counseling Center. These “Let’s Talk” sessions are free, but are on a first come first serve basis, so go early if you are able.
Number four: Take time to explore your new environment. For those not familiar with the area, it might be worthwhile to check out some common spots on campus and the locale in town that students typically enjoy going to in order to avoid monotony. Around campus, places like the Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library (aka the Lib) are popular for studying and completing school work. The Gustie Den is a popular hang out space, as well as the Diversity Center, as they host many different events centered around cultural diversity. These events include things such as a Lyrical Cafe event, movie nights, a cultural cuisine open house, and more. The STEAMery, located in Nobel Hall of Science, as well as the Courtyard Cafe in the Campus Center also happen to be popular for enjoying a quick bite and hanging out or getting some work done. Lastly, for the campus, the Arboretum is a spot that could be appealing to those who enjoy nature. It offers trails and a quiet environment for those who just need some time alone or like a change of scenery. If you’re looking to travel a bit further, some popular places in town are River Rock Coffee, 3rd Street Tavern, and Patrick’s on Third. River Rock Coffee offers an atmospheric setting for studying away from campus, and the latter two are for those who want a meal outside of campus or a spot to hang out.
That is all for this school survival guide that The Weekly has to offer you. We hope you enjoy your first year of college, and that this information is helpful to you in navigating your new experience!