Welcome, new Clarkies! As an incoming senior, I have learned a few things that I didn’t know coming into university. I have decided to share a quick guide with some things you probably already know, and some things you may not know, in no particular order. But if you follow this guide or if you don’t, you will still be okay! You are all going to kill it.

1. Set timers for your laundry! – Laundry at Clark is free. If you go onto your ClarkYOU portal, you can use the laundry tracking app to see how much time is left on the washers and dryers in your building. Make sure you keep track of your own laundry timers. Doing this will make everything easier for you and other people in your dorm. You also don’t want strangers touching your laundry if you leave it in there (Just like you don’t want to touch theirs).
2. Don’t spend all your dining dollars in the first week! – No matter how many you have, don’t spend it all in one week. Try to budget as much as you can, despite how tempting it is to buy out the Ben and Jerry’s in the Bistro. Your future self will thank you during midterms/finals if you can stretch them out.
3. Take advantage of the free food! – From Late-Night Breakfast to Spree Day, there are many opportunities for free food. When you can, visit the food trucks and stop-by events that have treats and goodies. You may get tired of the same old dining hall options, so these are great opportunities to get a little bit of a change. The Grilled Cheese and Waffle trucks are my personal favorite.
4. Clark Engage is gonna be a great friend! – Make sure you keep an eye out for an email from Clark Engage– it will tell you all the events that are happening on campus that particular week. There are many events that happen during the first few weeks of the semester.
5. Use your resources! – Your professors, advisors, peer mentors and academic offices are there to support you (they really want to help). Go to your professors’ office hours for homework questions, reviewing material or if you just want to get to know them better. The resources in the Academic Commons (located in the Goddard Library), such as the ITS Help Desk and Writing Center, will become your best friends when it comes to technical issues, research essays, and upcoming exams.
6. Do not be afraid to ask for help! – It can be scary to admit you are struggling or even if you need help, but there will also be some people in a similar boat. Try and use those resources listed above right when you start struggling – you’ll thank yourself later. Help can be you and some friends going to office hours, having a study party, or coming up with questions and topics you are confused about together; you are never alone. 
7. Give yourself grace! – This is a transition, and it takes time. If you are not adjusted by the first week/month/semester, that is okay. The transition and adjustment look different for everyone, so if your friends seem adjusted and you are not, it is not on you. It may take a minute to find your people as well. 
8. Take breaks when you need them! – Sometimes, there might be days when you just do not feel like going to class or need an hour-long nap at 3pm. That’s okay. If you burn yourself out too soon, you will be miserable. Take breaks, your mental health is important. You don’t have to socialize all the time, alone time is awesome for resetting your brain and your energy.
9. If you want to be comfy, be comfy! – Many people will show up to class in sweats, pajamas, or even with blankets. On the opposite end, if you want to look cute, look cute. Literally, whatever vibes you are feeling that day, go with it. No one is going to judge you. 
10. Branch out of your roommate box! – Your roommate is going to be awesome, and you guys will get along. But try and branch out of your dorm box, find other friends and people to hang out with. You will get tired of each other and much more annoyed at little things if you spend every minute of every day together. Also it is important to remember that your first-year friends may not be your sophomore year friends, and that’s okay.
11. Get involved, even if it’s just one thing! – I know your Peer Mentors and Advisors and everyone has been telling you this. But really, truly, find one club/sport/thing that you can participate in on a semi-regular basis (or more if you feel so inclined!). It is a great way to make friends and take a break from academic stressors. You will also very often get lots of perks like free food and swag. Also, try one event a semester, like a show or movie screening from a different club or hosted by the school. Also, it’s a really great way to get free food and make new friends.
12. Be yourself! – I know, it is cheesy. Even if it takes you a while to figure out who you are, and what you want, just be you. Please just listen to this corny message.