What I Wish I Knew Freshman Year
As I head into my senior year at Barnard, back-to-school season consists of a closet clean-out and double-check that I’m on track to finish out my graduation requirements. But seeing empty racks of dorm supplies at Target reminds me fondly of when I was preparing to move into Barnard as a first-year. Back then, the idea of being on my own was both terrifying and exciting.
My time at Barnard has taught me so much and molded me into the person I am today, and I have no doubt that the Class of 2026 will have amazing experiences. With that in mind, here are some things I wish I knew before getting to Barnard for my first year.
Goodbyes aren’t forever – Leaving home for the first time is hard, and it’s scary to say goodbye to the friends you’ve had for years and places you see daily. However (especially if you live within driving distance to school) you’ll likely be home for breaks and summers, and end up spending plenty of time there. While things will be different with friends after you all build your own networks and friendships in college, really strong friendships will grow and change with you.
Have fun on Saturdays, study on Sundays – My first Saturday during classes at Barnard, I headed to the library to get all of my work done, only to be confused about why nobody was there. Now I know that other students were out having fun in the city before classes were in full swing. Take advantage of these early weekends, and use Sunday to wake up and grind.
It’s okay to go to the dining halls alone – Especially when you’re living on the quad, college means being surrounded by people. The first few weeks involve everyone trying to get to know everyone, and mealtimes are often social hours. This can make it feel awkward to go to the dining halls alone, but don’t let it…sometimes you just gotta eat.
Campus jobs can be great for a resume – If you’re looking to work on campus, see if you can get something that aligns with your interests. My first campus job was a tutoring gig, and because I already had tutoring experience I was able to get better-paid tutoring jobs over the summer. A friend of mine worked at Barnard IT because she had an interest in Computer Science, and another one worked in the Barnard Development office and discovered an interest in nonprofit development. Campus jobs will often hire you with little to no experience, but can really help fill out your resume while you’re an underclassman!
Once again, congratulations to the Class of 2026! All of Barnard can’t wait to see what you’ll achieve.