Looking Back:
Three weeks from graduation and these past four years at Fairfield seem to have passed by in an instant. Freshman move in day is as clear in my memory as the events of Clam Jam and Mock Wedding these past two weekends.
A word to the wise for underclassmen: make the most of your time at Fairfield because before you know it you will be picking up your cap and gown and applying for jobs and graduate school.
College is technically about getting a degree, but the lessons you will learn outside of the classroom prove to be the most useful and memorable when looking back at the last four years. At least this is true for me.
Here is a little about what I’ve learned: You will meet lifelong friends at Fairfield.
You may not realize it now, but the people who sat next to you in orientation or lived next door to you in Jogues Hall and took that boring core class with you will become some of your best friends. When I was a freshman, myself and two girls who lived on my floor and we instantly bonded. Now I am sharing a beach house with the two of them. Put yourself out there and don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to everyone. Not everyone will be kind, but the ones who are will quickly become roommates, suite mates and neighbors in the townhouses. I came in knowing no one and while it was not easy at first, once you find your niche at Fairfield, everything becomes simpler.
Classes are hard, but teachers are always available to help.
Especially in core/required classes, help is always available. As an English major I always avoided science classes at all cost and thought that after high school I would be finished, but of course this was not the case. Fairfield professors are concerned with grades of course, but sometimes being going to office hours and letting them know that you are not an expert but will put in a lot of effort will count when final grades roll around.
Everything will not be perfect.
Transitioning into college is not simple and issues like living with a strange roommate or showering in a public bathroom or taking a terrible core class are not comfortable for everyone. You will most likely fight with roommates, oversleep class, disagree with professors and fail a test or two but in the end, none of that matters.
There are plenty of ways to have fun and still stay out of trouble.
Honestly, you have to be pretty dumb to get in trouble with Public Safety. We all know what can go on in college and unless your are loudly shouting “CHUG! CHUG!” or blasting the song “Shots” from your dorm room, you are not likely get into trouble. Fairfield officials will not both you unless you are being stupid. The same goes for beach living. Unless you decide to fight a bouncer at The Grape or stagger with an open container in front of a police officer, it is pretty difficult to get in trouble.
On-campus housing rooms get bigger as you get older.
My freshman room was so small that our mini-fridge barely fit between our beds. But my sophomore room was spacious and had huge windows and my townhouse as a junior had more than enough room for five girls. The secret about Fairfield housing is that it gets better with age.
Utilize extra help resources.
Lesser-known resources like free math tutoring, writing workshops, RCADE and paper editing and other peer-to-peer learning resources can be key to doing well in a class. It’s hard to flunk if you put in even the slightest effort.
Upperclassmen are not the enemy.
I remember being terrified of upperclassmen when I starting at Fairfield, but now that I am a senior, I can’t figure out why. If you need directions around campus or get stranded by the town shuttle, upperclassmen are here to help. We have all been the new kids and want to make you feel like part the group.
Join clubs and get involved.
The easiest way to meet new people is by joining a sport (intramural, club or varsity) or club on campus. Here you will meet upperclassmen, as well as people living who you might not be exposed to and even better may score you an invite to beach parties.
Build your resume early.
The worst feeling is looking back at your college experience and wishing that you did more volunteer work, ran for class office or took more classes specific to your major. Preparing for the post college world starts your first day at Fairfield. From experience, it is difficult to play catch-up once you are a junior or senior.
Apply for an internship.
One of the best things that I did at Fairfield was a for-credit internship, three days a week during my whole senior year. Working in New York City especially allows you to network and form relationships with people who can help you find a job after graduation and who can teach you a lot about practical application in your field of study. Learning how to commute and time manage is something that I am extremely grateful for.
Study Abroad.
Even if you have to take out a loan, study abroad! In the fall of my junior year, I spent just over four months at Regent’s College London, a picturesque university located in the center of one of the Queen’s royal parks. While abroad I traveled to Paris, Dublin, Vatican City, Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre, Venice and Ljubljana with new friends that I met in London. I even traveled solo to Munich, Vienna and Prague as an experiment of my own independence and ability to adapt to a foreign country. Let’s face it, there may not be any other time in your life where traveling to another country every weekend is acceptable or feasible, why not do it while earning your degree. Additionally, the friends that I made abroad are now among the people that I love the most. Bonds made while traveling through foreign territory are formed quicker and last longer than those formed on campus.
Live at the beach.
After living on Lantern Point this entire year, I can absolutely recommend senior life at the beach – it is just not the same experience as living on campus. Traditions like Oktoberfest, Powderpuff Football, Beer Olympics, Mock Wedding and Clam Jam- to name a few – are above and beyond the experiences of senior students at other universities. Not to mention that there is a deli, liquor store and bar within walking distance of my house, which never hurts.
Don’t sweat the small stuff, because when you are about to graduate, none of that matters.
So what if you got a ‘C’ in calculus or got written up that one time? When you look back, none of that matters anymore. Remember the great times with new friends, endless Halloween celebrations, long walks home from the beach, Clam Jams and the times that make going to Fairfield unique.
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