On Sept. 3, the University welcomed freshman, transfer and returning students back to campus for another exciting year! From the perspective of senior and sophomore, we have gathered advice throughout our time at Monmouth.
- Go to events! It is extremely important for students to attend events throughout the academic year. Not only will this create memories with your friends, you may also meet new people. Students can also grab free food or promotional items for the event. Nicole Lowden, M.A., Associate Director of Leadership and Transitions in the Office of Student Engagement, emphasized, “Attending events is a great way for students to get involved on campus. There are so many great events and programs that take place, and it’s just up to the students to come out and enjoy them! It is also a great way to find your friends on campus, since people attending the same event likely have similar interests.”
Lowden continued, “Students who attend on-campus events will find that by doing so, Monmouth will feel more like their new home-away-from-home!” - Get involved! Getting involved in clubs on campus is a fantastic way to meet new people and have activities other than just schoolwork. Monmouth offers a wide variety of clubs and organizations that cover many interests. Major, cultural, religious, and community-based clubs are some of the types offered on campus. Even if you are brand new to something, it is worth getting involved to learn a new skill!
- Seek student employment opportunities! Working on campus is an incredible opportunity, especially with building connections with faculty. Not only is this a flexible way to make money, you have the option of keeping an on-campus job for many semesters. Sandy Brown, M.S.Ed., Assistant Director of Human Resources for Student Employment, explained why employment is important on campus, “The Student Employment Office strongly encourages students to pursue on-campus employment as it enhances both their academic and professio al journeys. On-campus jobs provide a unique opportunity for students to develop essential skills that extend beyond the classroom, contributing significantly to their overall growth and future career readiness.”
Brown also commented, “Students are mentored by supervisors who not only support their work but actively contribute to their personal and professional development. Ultimately, student employment is more than just a paycheck—it is an investment in personal growth, academic success, and professional readiness.” - Use your time wisely. It can be so easy to fall into a rut, scrolling on social media but it is important to use your time efficiently to get assignments done on time. Instead of going back to the dorms right after a class ends, go to the Great Hall, Rebecca Stafford Student Center, or library to get some work done before unwinding for the day.
- Connect with your professors! Going to office hours is a terrific way to build relationships with professors while you are in their course, but also throughout the duration of your academic career.
Advice can come from anyone, but we have lived through these experiences before at this University. Our advice is to help students grow, flourish, and thrive in a new environment.
