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    Photo Claire Nakoski

    May 09, 2017

    Getting the Most out of Your College Years: Reflections from Seniors Facing Graduation

    When we stepped onto Le Moyne’s campus as Freshmen, we felt as if we had all the time in the world. The next four years stretched ahead...

    Now, we can’t believe that we will be graduating in less than a month. From us to you, here’s a list to help you make the most of your 4 (more or less) years of college.

    1. Get out of your comfort zone
    College pretty much requires you to get out of your comfort zone. Whether it be a presentation in your class or talking to people other than your roommate, it’s important to keep an open mind and get comfortable with being uncomfortable. It’s the only way to grow, and soon enough you’ll look back and be shocked with how afraid you were of something that doesn’t even faze you now.
    -Mariah Bliss, Nursing major

    2. Be involved
    Consider joining an intramural or club sports team to stay active with friends. Or join one of the 80+ clubs on campus. Also, Le Moyne puts on some great events--Bingo and its endless prizes, friends making fools of themselves on stage with the comedy hypnotist--there’s always something to do. “Take advantage of service opportunities. I was a nurse on Honor Flight this past semester, and it is something I will always remember."
    -Carlie Gutzmer, Nursing major

    3. It’s not magic...

    “Don’t sit around thinking good things will magically happen to you. Get involved, be enthusiastic, build as many friendships as you can.”
    -Ben Spoor, Finance major


    4. Interested in Study Abroad? DO IT.
    This is probably the thing I most wish I had participated in. I was nervous about spending months “alone” in another country, and even more nervous about what I might miss with my friends back at Le Moyne. But it would have been more than worth it. According to my friend Liam, who studied abroad in Ireland: “Le Moyne is great, but it is also such a small school. So it’s really amazing to have the chance to literally and figuratively broaden your horizons.”
    -Claire Nakoski, Communications major and Liam Matthews, English major



    5. Have an “open door” policy
    It’s hard and often intimidating to meet new friends in college. When you arrive, talk to your roommate about having an “open door” policy during the day while you guys are in the room. This way, you can easily meet and talk to people walking around and socializing. It’s a great way to build community on your dorm floor and in your dorm
    building.
    -Tyler Veltre, Criminology major

    6. It’s not high school...do your homework on time.
    You won’t be having any fun if you’re ignoring all of your work and receiving F’s and incompletes on all of your assignments. Not only will that put you way behind in college and your career path, it’s a major waste of the money you’re paying to be at there.
    -Stephanie Wheatley, Physics major

    7. Hard work now saves more work later.
    On a related note, if you get things out of the way early by working on them a little every day, you’ll find you actually have more time to hang with friends and do the things you want to do. You won’t  have to skip dinner out with your friends Sunday night because of procrastination on that 8 page essay you have due Monday. I mean it was only assigned two weeks ago... right?
    -Jon Becker, Business major

      8. School is more than just school
    That being said, you don’t want to have 4 years slip past and start wishing that you had spent more time with friends and less time in your bed watching Netflix recuperating from the 5 essays you just wrote. School and good grades are extremely important--it’s what we’re paying to be here for, of course-- but don’t let it bog you down to the point that all your free time is spent moping about how hard your course load is. Get out of your room and make those lifetime memories everyone talks about from their “college years.”
    -Laurel Algase, Nursing major

    9. Build relationships with your professors

    “One of the great advantages of going to a small school is that you have an opportunity to build relationships with professors. Take full advantage of that. You never know what door they may open for you.” Like writing recommendation letters and vouching for you when you’re applying for jobs or grad schools!
    -James Gayvert, Chemistry major
    10. Lastly… 4 years goes fast!
    We’re not kidding… When we first stepped on campus, 4 years felt like all the time in the world. Now we’re shocked--and slightly terrified--that we walk the stage in less than 3 weeks. Use these tips now, and you’ll be amazed by how great your college experience can be!
    -Roberto Napoleon, Psychology major


    Written by: Claire Nakoski, ‘17, Communications major
    Category: Student Voices