Category: College Life Lessons

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Finding Your Values at GCC

When transitioning into college life, it can be difficult to figure out who you are as an individual. You have spent your whole life following your parents’ lead and maybe kind of going through the motions, but at college, you will be challenged to formulate your own opinions and views. This is a great thing, and a natural progression, but that does not mean it is not scary.

Coming to Grove City, I was challenged both in my faith, but also views on politics and life. I came from a Christian high school, so I thought that I would have a pretty easy transition into college life since it is very similar, but that was not the case at all. Living on your own you are forced to make decisions for yourself, and you do not have to let anyone know what you are doing. I had a difficult transition period coming into school because I never really thought about who I was, but luckily the people here are so helpful and care about you.

For some people, the mandatory chapel can seem like something that is not fun or intriguing, but it can actually help you make your faith your own and make that next step in your life. Also, the professors at GCC care about your well-being and your academic performance so much that they will reach out and make sure that you are doing okay. I grew up in a home where we went to church all the time, and I was not exposed to any differing views religiously or politically at all. College was the first time when I was exposed to differing opinions, and I did not have the knowledge to back up anything I believed in. But being at Grove City is different in the sense that everyone is willing to have these difficult conversations with you and walk with you through this challenging time because they are all going through the same thing. It is challenging and may seem very daunting, but do not be discouraged.

You do not have to have everything figured out before you get to school, because there will be a lot of people in the same boat as you and that is a great thing because that means you can form meaningful relationships with people while building your faith and opinions all at the same time. There are plenty of groups and organizations on campus that can help you form your own views, and also there are so many clubs that you can join once you have decided what you are interested in. Grove City is a great place where you can form your own views and build unbreakable bonds.

 

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Best Places to Study on Campus

A lot of your time will be spent studying and doing homework while at school, especially when you are just starting your college career, because you will want to get off to a good start. So, I will be giving you the best places to study on campus and the pros and cons of each study area.

Staley Hall of Arts and Letters

This is my go-to place to do work. It has a good balance of being social and being quiet enough to get all of your work done. This is the main academic building for the Calderwood school, which is the liberal arts school. You are able to sign out the classrooms and use them for studying from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. This is really helpful because you can get a room with friends and have a casual study session, or you can get a room alone and grind out a lot of work in one night in silence. This is the best for me because I like studying with friends so I can get a room and study without being a disturbance to others. There is also a common area in the lobby where you can do work at tables with friends, but that is meant to be quiet so it is good when you have a small amount of work to do by yourself.

Henry Buhl Library

Originally I would say that the Library is not the place to go to study, but with the new updates, it is great. They renovated the whole library, and even though it is not finished yet, it is a great place to study. There are new tables and chairs all over the place and it is very modern; however, if you like to study in groups and be loud then the library is not for you. There are now private rooms that you can get that allow you to talk a little bit, but those rooms get taken within seconds of the library opening. It is a good place to study and get a lot of work done.

Breen Student Union 

Do not come here if you need to actually get work done. I love the student union, and I spend a lot of time here throughout the day in between classes to get some casual work done while I am talking to my friends. It is very loud and kind of the hub for students in between classes. It does quiet down a little bit at night but it is still pretty loud and can be difficult to focus on. However, if you have a group project that you need to do then this is a good place to do that because you do not need to worry about disturbing anyone. The student union is a good place to catch up with people while doing some casual work, but do not go there if you have a huge exam the next morning, unless it is 3 a.m. and this is the only building open.

There are no bad places to study on campus, and these are definitely not the only places to do work on campus, but I thought that these are the most popular and they are some of my favorites. There are a lot of good places to study, and honestly, none of them are bad places to do work.

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What to Pack for College

When you are preparing for college for the first time it can be very overwhelming, from worrying about academics to wondering what you will be involved in on campus. One thing that I know I stressed out about when preparing for college was what to bring and what to leave at home. A lot of incoming freshmen tend to overpack and bring things that will not be used more than one time. The most difficult thing that you will find to pack is your clothes. This will vary depending on where you live, because if you live far away then you will need to bring all your cold-weather clothes as well as your warm-weather clothes. However, no matter where you live you should not overpack your clothes because you will definitely end up running out of space and will have no room for other fun things in your room. What I have noticed in my four years at Grove City is that you will wear mainly the same things every week, with an exception of a few outfits. Also, do not bring too many fancy clothes because you will only have to wear them a few times throughout the semester. For guys, bring a couple of collared shirts and a suit just in case, and for girls, it is always good to have a couple of nice dresses for any event that might be happening on campus. It is good to have options but if you wear something one time in a month then it is not worth bringing to school.

Now, for decorations in your dorm room. It is easy to get carried away looking at the advertisements from Target and buying all of the fun dorm decorations. However, all of the decorations that are in those advertisements take up space in the dorm rooms and are not very practical. The dorm rooms are a good size, but they are not overly big. You can fit a seating option in the rooms if you want to, but it is not always necessary. My recommendation is to get things in your room that will make you feel at home, but not feel claustrophobic. For example, nice string lights or a lamp, a futon/small couch, and some way that you relax whether that be a reading corner, TV, etc.

My biggest advice is to not overpack, because it becomes very difficult to find space for all of your things. You want your living space to be comfortable and homey, so do not worry about filling it with things that you will regret having by the end of the first month. Fill it with pictures and things that make you happy!

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A Letter to My Freshman Self

Dear freshman self,

There is something so special and life-giving about being a freshman. You have so much to learn and so much life to live in the next years. The excitement of all of the possibilities is overwhelming. You are in a new place with new people and new freedoms that you have never had before, but with all of this excitement comes a lot of responsibility. Through my four years at Grove City College, there are 10 things that I have gleaned from my experience, and I wish more than anything that someone would have told me these things when I was a freshman. But, freshman self, these are the lessons that God wanted and needed you to learn, and it is okay that you went through that pain and heartache because without that you would not have come out the other side a better woman. So here are 10 small lessons that I wish you would have known…

  1. God is in control, which means nothing is an accident.

It might seem like the things that happen are unfair or like God is not there, but He is. Always and forever. Trust in him no matter what.

  1. At the end of the day, Greek groups do not matter.

Yes, Greek life is so much fun. I loved being in a group so much. But it does not define who you are or who you can hang out with because after you leave this campus, it does not matter anymore. So do not let the Greek letters you wear keep you from being friends with people.

  1. Red flags apply to friendships.

If you see red flags in your friendships, listen to them.

  1. It truly does not matter what other people think about you.

This is still a lesson I am learning, but it is so true. It is a hard thing to put into practice, but you will enjoy your life so much more if you learn to not listen to the things other people say about you.

  1. If you trust your friends, then listen to their advice.

You take time to pour into the relationships you have, why would you not listen to the advice they have? This can relate to boys or clothes or anything. You need to trust that they have your best interest in mind.

  1. Do not be so judgmental.

Everyone is different and that is okay. Embrace the differences that you see instead of feeling insecure by them. If you learn to accept others rather than fighting, you will have more peace.

  1. Do not overcommit.

It is so easy in Grove City to stretch yourself soooo thin. Groverachieving is a very real thing and it makes it hard to say no to things. But fight the need to be involved in everything. You can say no, and it is okay. Please learn that saying no is not a sign of weakness, and it does not mean that people will not like you.

  1. Do not wish the time away.

The time in college is special, and your time here can never be replaced. Do not wish for it to be over. Notice the little things and appreciate the time you have to learn and grow and make special memories. Life is hard, and it will only get harder after you graduate so just soak in all the time you have at Grove City.

  1. Think about what is important.

Your priorities will always be changing, but at the core what are the things that matter the most to you? Knowing where your priorities lie makes all the difference in navigating life. If you do not know what is important to you, you will not stand for anything. So, formalize your priorities.

  1. Just Love.

Love other people and love your time. You will be happier if you learn to love first.

This list is not extensive, and it is not everything you will learn. Learn to fall in love with your life and do not worry so much. Take these lessons and learn from life experience. You are gonna grow more than you could ever imagine and that is good. You have amazing friends and a loving man and even though life is not perfect, it is so good. You will learn that life does not have to be perfect to be good. I hope these four years are a special time for you.

Love,

Senior self

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Prioritizing Community Your Freshman Year

College is a new beginning for everyone. It is a time to meet new people, gain autonomy, and discover what you are passionate about. While college is a brilliant time for all of those things, it can also be really isolating at first if you let it. My advice to anyone beginning their freshman year is to prioritize community and friendship.

When I came to Grove City my freshman year in 2017, I was absolutely terrified. I loved living at home, spending time with my boyfriend, seeing my mom every day, and having sleepovers with my twin sister. I was comfortable living at home. The idea of moving to a campus without any of my favorite people was extremely daunting. I have to be honest, my freshman year, community wise, was not a priority for me. I spent more of my time studying in the library than I did with friends or my roommates. My coping mechanism for missing home was to put all of my efforts into school and get good grades. Looking back, I now realize that my freshman year could have looked very differently had someone pulled me aside and told me what really matters.

Academics are critical at Grove City College. School is 95% of why we go to college. Get good grades to get into a great grad school program or start a fantastic career. But the other 5%, however, is arguably more important. That 5% represents the relationships you grow and memories you build with your peers over your four years at Grove City. I completely understand thinking your GPA defines you. And honestly sometimes it feels like it does. But the community you seek and friendships you foster will shape you into the man or woman you will become post-graduation. Who do you want to be when you graduate from Grove City? Do you want to be someone with a 4.0, is involved in every academic club, but has no time for friends? Or do you want to be someone who has a 3.2-3.5 GPA, has phenomenal interpersonal skills, time for those around them, and is whole rounded in every sense: a liberal arts degree, superb communication skills/relationships. I deeply encourage you to find a balance between these things. Make intentional time for your studies. You are paying a lot of money to receive a phenomenal education, do not waste it. But also, make time for relationships. You will grow exponentially if you foster relationships with your peers and care about your academics.

I would have a completely different perspective about Grove City had I not found my now-closest friends sophomore year. It would be a story of loneliness, just getting by, sadness, you get the point. But instead, my story is one of community, growth, faith, and deep love for my friends and the College. Do yourself a favor, and put yourself out there to find friends who will encourage you, challenge you, and stick by you during your time at Grove City College because believe me, they are here for you.

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Ring by Spring: Content or Not?

From day one of freshman orientation, Grove City makes the light-hearted joke of “look to your left, look to your right, you may be sitting next to your husband or wife.” This is a statement made to lighten the mood and break the ice. But there is social pressure regarding getting engaged your second semester senior year. Said pressure is completely derived from the student body. Does this sound silly? Yes, absolutely. But I can personally attest as a second semester senior in a long-term relationship the pressure to get engaged is present.

Disclaimer, I do not think getting engaged your spring semester senior year is bad. Not at all. Heck, I would like to be! I just want to empathize with the future Grove City student who is in the same boat as I am. You are in a serious relationship with no ring yet – which is perfectly fine. And you are so happy in your relationship. Yet seemingly everyone around you is getting engaged and you cannot help but wish you were too. All of your peers will not stop asking you when you are getting engaged. Therefore, you become slightly discontent with the current phase of life you are in.

I am writing this to simply encourage you to be content with the specific relational season you are in. Being single is a beautiful time to develop your own sense of self and evaluate what you want in a partner. Dating is so fun because you get to experience the joy of doing life with somebody without the responsibilities of real life yet. Engagement is wonderful because you are planning your big day together, awaiting the day you no longer have to be apart. And marriage is the end zone where you finally get to spend everyday with the one your soul loves. The point is, there is beauty, growth, hardships, and really good things in all seasons of relationships. Do not allow what is going on around you to steal from the joy you do have right now in whatever relational phase you are in. If you are looking for what is next or what everyone else is doing, you will always be discontent. Focus on you, your relational phase, and you will prosper, be joyful, and content.

There is no right way to be in a relationship when you are about to graduate college. All of that to say, of course Grove City is a wonderful place to potentially find a loved one and grow in your relations with those at the College. All I am saying is that there is a time and a season for everything. You are in the season of life you are in because God has you there for a reason. Lean into that and not the pressure of being somewhere you are not yet.

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Finals Week at Grove City College

grove city college library

For me, the thought of my first finals week at the College was absolutely terrifying. I wanted to ace all my exams but had no idea how to manage all of the studying and retain any information. I have a few tips on how to relax and study well for your first finals week. Take a read if you are a freshman who is wary about your first finals week experience!

  1. Split up your studying time by class and when your final is.
  • For example, if you have two finals on Friday–one at 9:00am and one at 7:00pm–on Wednesday write out your study guides for both finals so you do not have to do that on Thursday. Then on Thursday (study day) you could spend your morning studying for your 9:00am final, take a lunch break, spend the afternoon continuing to study for your 9:00am final, review for your 9:00am, take a dinner break, begin studying for your 7:00pm final after dinner, take a break and review for your 9:00am final until midnight, then go to bed, wake up to review one last time and be confident taking your 9:00am final and use the rest of your day to review and study for 7:00pm final. There is no one right way to study. This is just one of my favorite and most effective ways of studying.
  1. Take small breaks to refresh, spend time with friends, and reenergize.
  • While I could give you many more study tips to be prepared for finals, I want to give you the most important tip when getting ready for finals: take breaks and rejuvenate. Studying for hours on end will result in nothing productive if you do not take breaks to relax and recoup. I have found that I am the least productive when I study for more than three or four hours without taking a break to go hang with friends or eat something. If I study for much longer than that without taking a break, my studying becomes useless because I do not retain anything, and I am not in a healthy headspace to continue studying well.

It is completely normal to be nervous about your first finals week at the Grove. But, with some tips from me, hopefully you can be a little bit more prepared and relaxed!

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Transitions: Part 2

Welcome to Part 2 of the “Transitions” series! Transitions can be difficult, but I want to continue to ease your mind about a few of them.

  1. Transition to leaving family.

One of the most difficult things for people going to college is moving away from family. This is completely understandable seeing as you will have lived with your family for your entire life. Something to acknowledge when you come to college is that yes, it will be weird at first sharing a bathroom with 20-30 other people and not having your mom around to help do your laundry or cook for you. But, going to college is such a beautiful first run at being independent from your family and making big, daily decisions for yourself and by yourself. Also, you will have plenty of breaks to go home and visit your family if you live far away. If you live close, you can go home on the weekends to catch up and reenergize for the week ahead! You can do it. Missing family is so normal. Lean on your peers who are also missing their family and in the same transition with you and they will become your family.

  1. Transition to being autonomous.

As mentioned above, you are most likely moving out of your family home and pretty excited about going to college to become independent. Of course, there are some responsibilities that only come post-graduation, but for the most part, college is the first time you will be independent from your family unit. It is truly so exciting coming to Grove City and making decisions for yourself without having to consult your parents or anyone really except yourself. You can decide what you do when, what you eat when, how late you stay up or wake up in the morning, if you work out or not, and a whole lot more. College is a great space to learn the ropes of being independent while in the safe confines of a phenomenal school like Grove City College.

College is one of the biggest transitions you will ever make in your life–moving away from family into a dorm, new classes, new experiences, etc. It can all be terrifying from an outside perspective, but when you break it down day by day, moment by moment, you will soon learn to thrive at Grove City College.

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Transitions: Part 1

Grove City College

College is one of the biggest transitions a person will make, aside from getting a full-time job post-graduation. These four years are full of newness and change and excitement and anxiety all wrapped in one. Transitions can be difficult, but I want to ease your mind about a few of them.

  1. Transition to dorm life.
  • Going from having your own space at home to living with approximately 20-30 people on the same hall can be daunting. It can also be slightly annoying to have this newfound recognition that you now have to be careful with your stuff and make sure people know it is yours. Let me tell you though, dorm life is kind of scary at first, but turns into the coolest thing ever fairly soon after move-in. Once you realize that you are living with your closest friends and do not have to drive anywhere to hang out with them, you will quickly learn to love it. Also, the dorms provide ample opportunity to share things with your friends (i.e. clothes, shoes, video games, hats, etc.). You basically shop for free in your friends’ closets and rooms, with their permission of course.
  1. Transition to college classes.
  • I talked about this in a previous blog, but the transition to college classes can be really scary. It is easy to come into college thinking that college classes will be significantly harder than the ones you took in high school. I am here to tell you that you will be just fine. Yes, Grove City is academically rigorous. That is definite. However, you learned how to study and work hard in high school and that is no different here. You will be fine. The Grove is well-known for being difficult but take it from me, you work hard, study hard, and learn so much from your classes here. And, if you need any help with your classes, the College has a free tutoring service offered to each student who attends Grove City College. Please take advantage of that, many students tutor other students, so it is a great way to not only learn but also meet new people!

College is one of the biggest transitions you will ever make in your life–moving away from family into a dorm, new classes, new experiences, etc. It can all be terrifying from an outside perspective, but when you break it down day by day, moment by moment, you will soon learn to thrive at Grove City College.

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Working Part-Time and Being a Full-Time Student

Coming to college as a freshman, most would never think of getting a job while being a full-time student. I realized, however, that it is indeed possible to be a full-time student as well as a part-time employee to make extra money as well as gain experience.

I interned with a company called FCB Health, NY this last summer as the editorial intern. After a summer working remotely for the healthcare network, I accepted a freelance editor position with FCB beginning September 1st, 2020. While school is super important, it is also important to be proactive about finding a job for post-graduation. I kept in contact with my supervisor from the network and landed a job for the next year prior to graduation. The primary point is, even if you are a freshman, it could be beneficial to get a part-time job during the semester career related or not. It could be beneficial for a couple of different reasons. One, you will make some money to help with the cost of books or whatever else you would like. Two, you can learn the value of hard work before starting your career.

The most valuable thing I learned from working part-time while being a full-time student is first, the importance of prioritizing finding a career while at Grove City. Your academics are equally as important during your four years at the College, but that does not mean you should not also focus on getting a jump start on finding an internship or part-time job. It does not matter if you’re a freshman or a senior, it is never to early to make connections and gain experience while also being a student. Secondly, I learned that everything would work out how it is supposed to. If you get a job during school, you will be okay and able to make it work. But if you don’t, you will also be okay. All in all, during your time at the Grove, if you can start building connections with people in the work industry, do it. It will only be beneficial to you in the long run and there is time. Do not let anyone tell you that you are only a freshman, and this does not apply to you. It is never too early to start networking and getting yourself out there.