LET’S TALK: BENTLEY ALPHA PHI’S TIPS FOR THE INCOMING CLASS OF 2024
Hello lovely people!
L E T ’ S T A L K… about the beginning of your college experience! First, let’s start with introductions. I’m an incoming junior (Class of 2022) at Bentley University, where I am majoring in Marketing with a Liberal Studies Major in Media, Arts, & Society. On campus, I am the Director of Social Media for Bentley’s Zeta Rho Chapter of Alpha Phi. I started this blog during quarantine to offer insight about personal and professional development, healthy living, travel, social media strategy, entrepreneurship…. all that fun stuff!
This post is all about tips & tricks for the incoming class of 2024, from the members of Bentley Alpha Phi! The beginning of college is always a bit of an adjustment, and in light of COVID-19 we know that this year will be very different than years past. In an effort to support you through this time of uncertainty, we reached out to sisters to provide some helpful advice to help you prepare (whether you’ll be taking classes on campus or remotely this fall)!
So let’s get into it! Here is….
Bentley Alpha Phi’s Handbook for Conquering College in the Age of Covid-19!
CHALLENGES OF COVID, FORMING RELATIONSHIPS, & COMFORT ZONES
COVID-19 has left us in unprecedented times. We won’t all be on campus this semester, and those of us who are will be experiencing a version of Bentley that is different than how it has always been. Amberlin Mott ’22 offers a positive outlook and some helpful advice:
“Stay positive! I know there’s a lot of uncertainty with the upcoming year. But it is important to make the best of the situation. Social distancing regulations will make it harder to meet people. But, it also has the potential to strengthen relationships. These regulations will promote more genuine and intimate hangouts resulting in stronger friendships in the long run.”
Though this year’s campus experience will present some new challenges, we are so excited to connect with you all (whether we are having a socially distanced lunch date, or chatting virtually)! We encourage you to do the same within your own class… Emily Shortino ’22 recommends to “try and meet as many people as possible in the first week. There will never be an easier time to meet people and get involved on campus, so it’s best to do so early! Don’t be nervous because all the other freshmen are in the same boat as you” … and she’s totally right! It is totally natural to be nervous when arriving at college, but keep in mind that whether or not others are showing it, they are feeling the exact same way. Here's a tip from Emily Wen ’21 that is great to remember during freshman year (and always):
“Be willing to step outside your comfort zone and talk to people you normally wouldn’t think to talk to. Give everyone a chance - you never know where or when you’re going to meet a friend.”
LET’S BE REAL
College is a big transition, but it is worth it! Having the opportunity to discover and focus on studying your specific interests while meeting so many other hardworking and exciting people is such a valuable experience! Your college years are sure to be filled with many amazing memories, but it’s important to remember that like any new chapter in life, beginning college comes with a learning curve (and not just in the classroom). I remember before move in day, my uncle told me to remember that during the first semester (or even the whole first year) things might feel a bit strange at times. I’m happy he told me that, because it happens to everyone and it’s nice to know that it’s normal. Even while you are meeting amazing people and having a blast, you might feel a bit nervous or homesick and that’s okay! With time you’ll adjust, and before you know it you’ll be getting a “homesick” feeling about missing Bentley when you’re home for breaks!
Here are a some more wise words about keeping a positive and open mindset:
“Find your own flow and go with it, eventually like minded people will join it as well. Simply put, always be yourself! “
“Be open to new ideas, clubs, and people! You may come into college with a set plan and lifestyle but you’re going to be introduced to so many new experiences, people, and opportunities so definitely accept all the changes and challenges that come your way!”
“Coming to college doesn’t mean you have to reinvent yourself. You shouldn’t. College means holding onto pieces of yourself that you love, and being able to be 100% authentic. Be sure to find people that make you feel comfortable being yourself, and be true to that!”
“In times like these it is so important to focus on the good things that come your way. Freshman year is so confusing as it is, and going through it in the middle of a pandemic will be challenging. But if you take the good news in stride and focus on positive energy you will attract great friends and experiences!”
CAMPUS involvement
Though student organizations will need to pivot this fall semester and host meetings and events online, it will still be very beneficial to get involved! Bentley’s Student Programs and Engagement oversees all student orgs, fraternity & sorority life, and event programming on campus. We recommend following them on Instagram @bentley_spe to stay up to date on events (whether they are virtual or in person)!
In addition to their involvements in Alpha Phi, our sisters are very engaged in the Bentley community. Most are members of other student organizations, athletes on various Bentley teams, and/or on-campus employees! Joining organizations at Bentley is an amazing way to meet other students with similar interests, and even gain applicable career experience. Esther Park ’23 recommends “to get involved in as many things that interest you as you can! I know I was very homesick in the beginning of the year, but once I started to meet more people, join different organizations/clubs, and go to many different events, I started to get more comfortable and feel less homesick. Your college experience is what you make of it, so get involved, have fun and meet as many people as you can, you never know when or where you will meet a lifelong friend!”
A NOTE ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA
Another important reminder: don’t freak out if you’re friends from home look like they already found their college crew after the first week of classes! Social media never tells the full story. Though you might make your lifelong friends at the beginning of college, so many people don’t even meet the people that become their best friends until a year or two in! For me, it didn’t happen until spring semester freshman year when I decided to join Greek life. Emily Wen ’21 explains this well: “Instagram is just a highlight reel. Don’t fall into the trap thinking everyone is having a good time, all the time. It’s too much pressure, and frankly not real. It’s okay to be homesick, nervous, or not feel like you found your “forever friends” in the first month. Social media places a huge expectation to love college right off the bat, but more people feel that pressure than you think - I wish I held onto that more!”
THE ACADEMIC ADJUSTMENT
By now you might be thinking … how many times are you going to be told that college is a BiG TrAnSiTiOn ?! Here I am doing it again… but it’s not a bad thing! Even if you thought high school was seriously the best time of your life, you should know that it only gets BETTER. That being said, college classes are a bit different than what you are probably used to. One way to get the hang of college coursework quicker is to make sure you are super organized! In the first week, your professors will give you a syllabus with the assignments scheduled for the entire semester. It can be a little overwhelming at first, so it might be helpful to put all of the due dates into weekly or monthly calendars so you can keep track of assignments and plan ahead.
It is also perfectly normal to have difficulty with coursework, especially at the beginning. If you are confused with something, address it right away by asking the professor a question during class or in office hours. There are also various labs at Bentley designed to help you with specific course work!
in conclusion
Listen- the moral of the story is that you’ve totally got this. Even with the craziness of COVID, beginning college is an exciting time! You’re going to learn SO much both inside and outside of the classroom and meet amazing people along the way. We are hopeful that at some point we will get to see all of your beautiful faces on campus and can’t wait to meet you all! In the meantime, always feel welcome to reach out to us with questions about anything college or Greek Life related. You can DM me on Instagram @lindsaytoia, DM Alpha Phi @bentleyalphaphi, or leave comment on this post. Stay healthy & happy!
