We asked the experts (current Mercer students) to share their wisdom with incoming and first-year students. Here's what they had to say...
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I Wish I Had Known...
- "...that everyone else was as nervous as I was!"
- "...you might change your career path a million times and still not know what you want to be when you 'grow up.'"
- "...how to balance a checkbook."
- "...to not be afraid to talk to my professors."
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Some things I worried about as a First-Year Student were...
- "...getting good grades."
- "...not knowing anyone."
- "...being late to class."
- "...getting lost on campus."
- "...getting along with my roommate."
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Resources that were helpful in dealing with my concerns were...
- "...my RA (Resident Assistant)."
- "...my new friends (who all felt the same way I did!)."
- "...having a full schedule of activities to participate in during orientation."
- "...my advisor."
- "...upperclassmen."
- "...the staff at Student Support Services."
- ". . . the advising office."
- "...my PA (Peer Advisor)."
- "...the Academic Resource Center."
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Study/Time Management Tips
- "You are in charge of your own time--so make sure you manage it."
- "Find a happy medium of school and fun."
- "Go to SI (Supplemental Instruction) and tutorials."
- "Get rid of your television!"
- "Never underestimate the complexity of a project, paper or assignment."
- "Study in blocks of time."
- "Do not wait until the night before to study for a test!"
- "Have group study sessions."
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I wish I had brought...
- "...my parents (because they would make me study harder!)."
- "...more pictures of home to hang on the walls."
- "...more shoes!"
- "...an umbrella."
- "...a sleeping bag and an extra pillow."
- "...more clothes! (I hate laundry!)"
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I wish I had not brought...
- "...all my winter clothes."
- "...my television (because I became addicted to "Golden Girls" and other shows)."
- "...my car because everyone seems to want a ride!"
- "...my stereo (every computer can play music)."
- "...high school yearbooks."
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Do's
- "Study, study, study!"
- "Understand that being a student is your full-time job."
- "Limit your time socializing with buddies (there's a time and place for everything)."
- "Do the best you can in every class you take."
- "Have fun!"
- "Relax."
- "Call home!"
- "Reach outside of your comfort zone."
- "Don't be afraid to try new things and meet new people."
- "Get involved around campus and in the community."
- "Listen to people who have been around the block."
- "Do your homework even if it's not required. Trust me. Those problems will be on the test."
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Don't...
- "...party too much."
- "...study too much."
- "...feel like you can't say 'No' to people."
- "...have a bad attitude."
- "...say things like, "Well, when I was in high school..." (because Mercer will never be like high school)."
- "...hang out all the time."
- "...take an assignment lightly."
- "...procrastinate."
- "...cheat."
- "...go home every weekend."
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