10 Tips for your first semester at ASU
Brianna, who graduated in 2018 from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication reflects on her freshman year at the Downtown Phoenix campus and has tips for future Sun Devils about to start their first semester at ASU.
It feels like yesterday I was getting off my plane from Omaha, Nebraska to Phoenix with an over-packed suitcase and mixed emotions about leaving the town I called home for the past 17 years.
I couldn’t be happier about my decision to attend Arizona State University and the multitude of opportunities I have been given. However, when I came to ASU I was clueless about almost everything and had to learn on my own or from my friends that are Arizona natives. For example: How hot Arizona can really get (115°!) and how to stay cool.
Pro tip: always have a water bottle with you.
Here are some tips I wish I knew as a new student that will help you get through the school year.
1. Pack Accordingly
Coming from a state (Nebraska) that has all four seasons and below freezing temperatures it would only make sense I would have a collection of hoodies, sweat shirts, and jeans. I thought it would be a good idea to over pack my suitcase full of clothes I didn’t need (← hindsight speaking). DON’T MAKE THIS MISTAKE. Not only will this take up so much space in your residence hall room closet (something you can’t afford) it will also take up too much space in your suitcase.
Pack a lot of shorts, tanks, and comfy workout clothes so you can hike “A” Mountain.
During the winter months it might get a little chilly during the end of November through early February so keep a jacket and some jeans but unless you’re going to Flagstaff you won’t need heavy winter clothes.
2. Go to all the Welcome Week events!
It is crucial that you attend as many if not all the Welcome Week events. Some of the best memories of my freshman year was breaking it down in the Streets of downtown Phoenix at a huge dance party for downtown Phoenix students at the start of the school year. I met a bunch of different students my age in the same position as me. Out of state, confused, and missing my parents. There’s not only good music at these events but games, info about clubs, free food and shirts!
ASU makes it so easy the first week to make sure you make connections and friendships.
3. Attend Inferno Fest!
Undergraduate Student Government and the Programming & Activities Board do such an amazing job to make sure ASU starts the school year with a bang. Around the first football game is Inferno Fest: a pep rally/concert that you do not want to miss! In the last few years students have seen Mac Miller, Ke$ha, 3oh!3 and The All-American Rejects! Each concert has the crowd dancing and singing along!
4. Hangout with your random roommate!
One of my best friends at ASU was my freshman year random roommate. We go by Bsquared. Her name is Bryanna and mine is Brianna, pronounced differently but still odd that we ended up in the same room together. Bryanna and I were polar opposites but I think that’s why it works.
The first time meeting each other she went in for a hug I went in for a hand shake and then quickly I switched to hug her and then she went for the hand shake so yes things were a little awkward.
We had friend groups that year but after class or when it was time for bed we would talk for hours. I remember some nights staying up until 3 A.M. just having conversations about school, our careers, and life. Bryanna and I are so different, but because we were both willing to give each other a chance we developed a strong bond and are close friends today.
5. Decorate your room.
It was so hard moving over 1,000 miles away from home after 17 years. In order to avoid getting homesick I hung up a bunch of pictures and made my room in Taylor Place look more home-like like with throw pillows, stuffed animals, and cute quotes. At the end of the school year my whole side of the wall was covered in photos. Everyone who would visit my room would just gaze at the huge photo wall I created. Nothing made me feel better to look up and see all the smiling faces of my family and friends from home when I first wake up or while I’m studying. Get some DIY hacks for living in the residence hall from ASU’s Pinterest account.
6. Develop good habits.
WORK OUT and STUDY HARD. The freshman 15(lbs) is real. Don’t fall into bad habits just because you have all this new freedom. Working out can help reduce stress levels especially during midterms and finals week. The Sun Devil Fitness Complex (SDFC) has classes, personal trainers, weight rooms, cardio machines and club/intramural sports.
Make sure you find time to put your studies first. Start college off strong by earning a high G.P.A. Set a goal for yourself to get on the Dean’s List. Some of the classes you will take in college will be extremely challenging but make sure you join study groups. There are always other students in your class willing to start study groups or help you understand a particular topic.
I’ve been in multiple study groups throughout my time at ASU and each group has greatly improved my grade and understanding in the class.
Don’t forget to develop good relationships with your professors. They will recognize your hard work which may turn into outstanding letters of recommendations for your next job!
7. The dining hall will be your best friend.
The dining hall has an array of different foods that are not only delicious but gluten free and vegan! Make sure you keep up with healthy habits. The dining hall makes it so easy for students to eat healthy with a full salad bar and a variety of different fruits and vegetables. The Sun Devil Dining website also posts daily menus and you can use the meal calculator to determine your calories/nutritional value per food item.
Don’t forget to indulge in a fresh cookie or two every once in a while!
8. Use your M&G sparingly.
Do not go on a Maroon & Gold dollars (M&G) shopping spree the first week you’re in college. It has to last all semester and sometimes a semester feels like a lifetime. M&G are part of your meal plan and can come in handy for a late night snack or light breakfast when you don’t want to use one of your dining hall swipes. You can use M&G at all on-campus dining locations (SBux run anyone?) and the on-campus markets.
9. Go to as many sporting events as possible!
Students automatically have tickets to ALL regular season games.
There is honestly nothing better than game day at ASU.
Since I lived downtown my freshman year I rode the light rail, packed door to door with students going to the games, and it would drop me off right at Sun Devil Stadium! I would immediately head to Devils on Mill because they had the best carnival games and free food for all the students! After that my friends and I would head over to the stadium early so we could get as close to the field as possible in the student section (general admission seating for students) so we can cheer on our Sun Devils! I never missed a home game my freshman year. Cheering on the Sun Devils is a top priority! Get a jump on all of the spirit and traditions for game day.
10. Find good friends.
In college you’re going to meet a lot of people and you have to make sure you surround yourself with the people that have the same aspirations and goals as you. Peer pressure is very much real and if you surround yourself with people that do not care about your well-being you will end up getting hurt or start self destructive behavior.
Find friends you can be yourself around and talk to about anything!
Follow these tips and you will have an awesome first semester! Good luck, Sun Devils.
I am Brianna Davis. Most people call me Bri. I am a senior at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication studying broadcast journalism with an emphasis in Entertainment news. I am a Social media specialist and pop culture enthusiast.
