Top 10 Life Lessons Learned as a UNH College Student
What lessons will you learn as a college student? What do you need to know before your first year of college? We've rounded up 10 important lessons learned by UNH students so you can benefit from their wisdom and get a glimpse into what it's like being a student at UNH.
UNH students in Haaland Residence Hall.
1. Keep your dorm room door open to make friends in your residence hall.
"Our room doors were always open the first week, which is almost mandatory for first-years, yet they stayed open after that. Each night, my friends and I who lived next to each other would move between rooms, doing homework, watching movies and talking about classes."
2. Advocate for yourself.
"Moving across the country to a state that I had never been to before and to a school in which I knew no one, I learned how to advocate for myself and my needs even more. Whether that was through Psychological and Counseling Services (PACS), office hours with professors or even always emailing my advisors to make sure I am on track, I am now quite proficient in effectively communicating my needs!"
UNH students studying on campus.
3. It's okay to be undeclared.
"Being undeclared gave me opportunities to take classes within different majors to see what I enjoyed. Being undeclared for a year and a half also allowed me to focus on prerequisites that I knew had to be completed at some point either way."
4. It's okay to get meals on your own.
"I had to realize that a universal lunch period isn’t built into our schedules, so sometimes my mealtime wasn’t convenient for anyone else. Don’t let that stop you from getting a nutritious meal; it’s so common to eat in the dining hall alone that I’m not even fazed by it anymore. In fact, sometimes, a quiet meal alone is the perfect break in a busy day."
UNH students in Paul College courtyard.
5. Trying something new could help you find something you enjoy.
"Up until my senior year at UNH, I was unsure of what I wanted to do for a career. All I knew was that I enjoyed writing. Through my job as lead writer on the Paul College Influencer Team, I have sharpened my writing skills by writing more formal pieces and have been able to connect with many students and even alumni. I have discovered a job I enjoy, so I am so glad I took a chance!"
6. Changing your major is totally normal.
"I was very worried that changing my major would set me back progress-wise and even socially, but that was not the case at all. Changing my major did not set me back and truly was the right move for me to make. I’m forever grateful that I chose to take Intro to Public Health!"
UNH students at UDay, a celebration of student organizations.
7. Do what you love.
"In all the groups that I am a part of, you see that the person who loves what they do the most tends to be the most successful in their endeavors."
8. Don't be afraid to ask questions.
"Asking questions early on at my internship allowed me to complete tasks in a timely manner, and after becoming more knowledgeable, I became more confident that my work was correct."
UNH students at UDay, a celebration of student organizations.
9. Keep an open mind.
"Be open-minded. College is a time for you to step out of your comfort zone, challenge yourself and learn more about who you are and who you want to be. I have grown SO much over my past four years at UNH because I leaned into those ideals and allowed space for myself to make mistakes and learn from them."
10. Staying organized is vital.
"Starting college right after being in high school is a harsh change, culturally, environmentally and academically. No one can fully prepare you for what you will face in terms of challenges, as there are so many factors at play. Starting freshman year, I realized very quickly that the best thing I could do for myself was stay organized using various techniques and commit to my schoolwork."
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5 Pieces of Advice for Your First Year of College
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