The transition from high school to college life is… unique. Any and all of your old habits and lifestyles can change, from living situations, academic difficulty, friendships… But I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything. 

College courses are definitely different than high school- even A.P. ones. Though some of mine were admittedly easier than a high school course, there’s still a level of difficulty that comes with it being a university class. There are more papers and exams that count for large portions of your grade, and when every class starts to get into the nitty-gritty, work piles up. But managing your time wisely and spending time studying (alone or with friends/classmates) makes all the difference. Overall, I really enjoyed the university learning atmosphere. It feels more formal, and I can appreciate the education more because I know that I want to be there.

Living in and adjusting to the residence halls was certainly a chore. It’s hard at first to live with someone, especially if you’ve never shared a bedroom before. But eventually, a rhythm sets in. Finding a new diet though….. I’m still working on that. The dining hall food is (mostly) good, but sometimes the college stereotype of microwaves ramen is true (and the freshman fifteen is real). I think the weirdest part about living on campus, though, was that I was away from my family. I’d never been away from them that long (even though they’re less than two hours away). I think it was a good experience, though. Now, being back home for winter break, I’ll never take independence for granted again. Being around my friends in Iowa City is something that I will miss greatly this month.

Getting to know new people has by far been my favorite part about college. All of a sudden, I’m meeting people through classes, clubs, and work that I never really thought I could be friends with. One person I met is even going to be living in an apartment with me next year! I think college definitely speeds up the bonding process. There are so many things to do to get to know each other and so many things to talk about. Plus, the idea of university life being so new to everyone can create a common ground and mutual understanding. I was always told to cherish these times and these people because they’d be friends for life. And I actually believe that. 

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I would say I really struck gold this semester; I have only one final exam.

That’s not to say my other classes are getting off easy, though. I do still have a presentation and some final papers to turn in, but I only have one exam that occurs during finals week. Sadly, it’s a 7:30 a.m. exam, but it’s online so I can do it in my PJs! But even with one true exam and a few papers, I’m still feeling the stress. It can be tempting to procrastinate studying for finals until the night before and believe me, I’ve been fighting the studying for a while. And when I do get to studying, it’s hard to try and review an entire semester’s worth of information. But at the University of Iowa, there are so many options to get you de-stressed and motivated for finals! 

The University offers really helpful tips for studying, both through workshops and the UI counseling service page. One of the biggest things I’ve taken from these tips is to eliminate distractions. Carving out specific times dedicated to studying (and sticking to that schedule) combined with removing all distractions like TV, your phone, or video games can get you in the mood to study. It also helps you focus on the material and get the most out of your learning. Though it’s definitely hard the first few times, you’ll get the hang of it. 

I also think it’s important to take time for yourself. The University has fun clubs that can help with de-stressing, such as ArtHawks, which offers studio days to just be creative with all kinds of art mediums. The University also has programs and events that happen at the IMU or through the Honors Program. My advice is to try and keep up with these announcements and take advantage of the events. 

Lastly, it’s okay to not do as well on a test as you hoped, but it’s never okay to give up on it! There’s always a chance you could surprise yourself at the end of the semester if you really put in the work and study hard for the final. I know plenty of people who have struggled in a class but still passed because they had the dedication. Don’t be afraid of failure, and don’t think less of yourself after a test; it’s best to hold your head high and keep pushing through!

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My registration date is approaching quickly, and there are many things I’ve been needing to consider. My first bit of advice: meet with your advisor! They aren’t just there to approve your course load- they can help you pick which classes and programs of study are right for you. My advisor has been helping me figure out what I’m interested in and how that can apply to courses, my major, and my career. Advisors are very good at their job, and they are there for your benefit. There’s no shame or harm in meeting with them more than you have to. Additionally, there’s no shame in second-guessing or changing a major. Sometimes, taking a step back to evaluate what you want to do can make a world of difference when choosing courses. 

The next important part of building your schedule is being able to keep track of gen eds and major requirements. Your first year might be filled with a lot of gen ed classes that you might not want to take, but there’s always some room for some fun and interesting classes. For example, taking a film class might not apply to a STEM major, but it can be a great way to expand your mind and further a casual interest. 

However, you do have to start thinking about which classes are priorities. Maybe a class does sound really fun, but if it’s not part of your major, or you already have the gen ed credit, try to find something that will get you the most credits. It’s also important to ensure you can meet the prerequisites for courses you want to do later on. Later years in your college experience will be dedicated to major courses or ones that better fit your interests. (However, you can still fit that one fun class! Just don’t overload your earlier schedules.) 

One last thing: consider winter or summer semester classes. If you find you’re pushing semester hour limits, you could always earn credits in other semesters. These courses do still cost money, though, so it’s not a necessity- just something to think about. 

For honors students: by your fourth semester, you are required to complete 12 semester hours of honors coursework. If a course you’re considering for your second semester has an honors discussion section, take it! It helps you to reach these requirements and meet like-minded people, challenging you to think harder about these topics. Also, there are 12 experiential learning credits needed by the end of your eighth semester. Some courses you take early on can apply towards this, and if you can land an internship or long-term volunteering job, you can count this towards experiential learning. But, coursework is definitely the priority, so try to look for honors sections of the classes you want to take. 

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One of the best things about university life is the diversity of activities! There are hundreds of opportunities to expand your mind and find something that you’re interested in. The University of Iowa has over 500 student organizations, from clubs, fraternities/sororities, and athletics! You are bound to find a group of people that will welcome you for who you are and what you’re interested in. 

In this post, I’ll be focusing on clubs. I am in multiple clubs, including service-based and hobby-based clubs. Some of my favorites are Hawkeye Optimists, ArtHawks, and D.I.R.T. But, as is always the case, there are some time conflicts with all the clubs I’m in. Some people I know who have multiple clubs on the same day will go every other week, switching out which clubs they go to each week. But, this might not always be practical, especially if there’s a club that seems to interest you a lot. Some of the best advice I’ve received is to go to a few meetings of the clubs you’re interested in during your first semester and figure out which ones you enjoy most. Then, by staying in just a few (2-3) throughout your time at the university, you get more benefits from going to every meeting (or possibly even being a board member). This will help to not only manage your time but also maximize your enjoyment and interest in the clubs. Plus, leading a club can be a fun adventure and can allow you to meet more people and get closer to those involved.

Obviously, though, you should spend time trying out new things. Exploring campus and all the activities the university has to offer is the premier college experience, and it is most exciting during your freshman year!

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I recently had my first day working for the university in housing & dining. I work at the Clinton Street Market, a C-Store in Burge residence hall. It has tons of options for snacks and meals, and it’s open until midnight if you ever need something in a pinch after a long night of studying.

Working there is a really easy way to earn some extra cash as a college student. As a Retail Associate, you basically do a bunch of “mini-games” — or at least, that’s how I prefer to look at work. You get trained in stocking items, working the cash register, and making food. It’s a fun, laid-back atmosphere and doesn’t require too much effort like some high school jobs do. My favorite part is meeting the new people you get to work with; people of every age and major work at this store (and across the university) and it’s so fun to hear their insight. Plus, it’s a great way to make friends in general, especially in your first semesters as a university student. Social connections are very important!

Any job at the university is worthwhile, though. Personally, I think a library job would be best. You basically get paid to sit at a desk and do homework (but yes, sometimes you do have to help people). There are so many options to choose from on campus. Compared to other jobs in town, you will not find the flexibility that the university offers. It’s easy to find a job that works with your schedule that won’t demand too much. If you’re looking to make a little extra money, or maybe even to fill the time (I know I get bored on my days off), working at the university is a simple choice.

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I’ve been to plenty of amazing farmer’s markets in my day, and the Iowa City Farmer’s Market is no exception. Even on a rainy, thunderous day, you can still enjoy the feeling of being outside, walking past all the booths and tents that feel so cozy and familiar. The farmer’s market is located on the lower level of the Chauncey parking ramp, and it runs from May to October.

There’s a wide variety of stands to explore: jewelry, baked goods, flowers, a library on wheels, and—of course— produce. Now, it may not be entirely practical, especially as a first-year student, to load up on fresh fruits and veggies, even if it is enticing. But fear not, there are plenty of fun things to buy that can be used! 

My first stop was the bookmobile, a small vehicle filled with books for rent from the Iowa City Public Library. A little farther down, I stopped at a jewelry stand that had gorgeous gemstone bracelets. Across from it was a stand with cute little potted plants, so I obviously had to snag one. Only a few stands in and I already spent half of my money! Luckily, most of the following stands were produce stands, which I wasn’t planning on buying (but they all looked delicious!). A few different flower stands were there as well, and many also sold bunches of lavender. There were so many fun things to look at, I ended up spending an hour there (compared to my usual 3o minutes at my hometown’s market).

This would be a great place to hang out with friends, sip a coffee, and enjoy the outdoors. Another excellent farmer’s market to add to the list!

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