On the first day of classes, I was walking down one of Guilford’s long brick paths when I noticed some first-year students walking along in a large group, lanyards intact. I felt nervous for them because I knew they were all walking to their first college classes. This brought me back to my first day and then everything that ensued after that. I shook my head and remembered how some days really sucked. The redundancy of fact learning and long nights of studying have never really suited me. I was unhappy at Guilford at first because I was not interested in anything. I also let little things really bother me: the neighbor that kept me up with his 14″ subwoofer when I had to get up early and the girlfriend from home that for some reason, I was still with. I finally had to take charge of my life. Things improved when I finally started connecting with people.

My advice comes from lost opportunities and the many lessons I have learned while in school.

Be open to the new ideas and new people you are about to encounter. It took me a couple years to realize that I was being passive in my time at Guilford, both academically and socially. Then I found something I really love to do – photography. Now I am more passionate about learning and I have become more open to other people.

To be content at a place like Guilford it is best to become part of the community. The Guilford geese are fine to talk to but they don’t respond and sometimes they try to bite you. People can hurt you too, but that reward is usually worth the risk.

Shaking your professor’s hand on the first day of class or calling them “Teach” will not get you a passing grade. In fact, if I were a professor, I would fail you for something like that. Guilford’s professors are open to forming deeper relationships with their students. They may be able to help you in other areas of life as well. Use them.

Unless you want to end up like those guys in “Bio-Dome,” make sure that you spend some time outside the bubble. There are events, great restaurants, and wonderful parks all waiting for you in Greensboro. You can also contact Guilford’s Bonner Scholars Program for exciting volunteer opportunities. Never forget that there is a world outside of Guilford.

In a recent conversation, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Aaron Fetrow said, “In order to have a fulfilling college experience you have to make develop connections. There are more ways for students to experience college social life besides drinking to get hammered four nights a week.”

It is important to be conscious of how you are spending your leisure time. Take it from me, making too many mistakes now can and probably will affect you later in life. Fetrow encourages students to visit Campus Life if they have problems or just to talk.

It is much more effective to create yourself rather than try to find yourself.

“Try something new … a new club, a new class, or an entirely new gang of friends,” said Assistant Professor of Religious Studies Eric Mortensen. “You can choose who you want to be in this world.”

First-years, this can be a big transition for all of you, but it is just one step in your promising young lives. Enjoy yourselves. Striving for perfection is never worth it if you are miserable in the process. And remember that you are never alone. Everyone in this community – student, faculty, and staff – is trying to make their next move. Ask them about their plans and you just might be able to help each other out.