Gwendolyn Walton and Michael Boyle | Contributing Writers
For the first time in your life, you have stepped outside the walls of your home and into a new life. With a few weeks of schooling under your belt, hopefully you are getting into the swing of the semester. In case you still feel slightly out of place, here are the ten best tips for improving your Buena Vista University (BVU) experience that two seniors could think of:
10) Smile
You sure do look fantastic showing off those pearly whites. We know you have a lot on your plate, but don’t overlook the impact a smile can have. We are a close-knit family here at BVU, and while the faces may look unfamiliar now, some of those people you brush past while hurrying back to your room will become your closest friends. Look up with a big grin, throw in a friendly hello, and give those friendships a chance to develop. Before you know it, those unfamiliar faces will all be smiling back.
9) Befriend an Upperclassman
The navy and gold pumping through your veins vividly displays your brilliance, but even you can’t know it all. Unlike high school, the hierarchy in college is far less influenced by grade. We may look intimidating at first, but the upperclassmen here on campus want to be your friends, and it would be to your benefit to seek out those friendships. Upperclassmen have been in your shoes! We know what it’s like to do poorly on an exam, miss home, and balance academics with social and extra-curricular activities. We may not know everything, but we have been here long enough to make us a valuable resource.
8) Travel, Travel, Travel!
As lovely as Storm Lake is, there is an entire world out there to experience. As a student at BVU, you will find opportunities to travel regardless of what month it is or where you want to go. Whether it is a full semester, a summer month, a few weeks in January, or eight days during spring break, there are places and cultures to experience far different than your own. Trips that supplement your major courses are fantastic, but don’t limit yourself to those adventures alone. Take a chance and travel somewhere new; we promise you won’t regret it.
7) Fight the “Freshman 15”
We know how delicious and accessible the ice cream and cookies are, but avoid eating them at every meal. In your spare time, go for a walk along the shores of Storm Lake, spend some time in the weight room, or get involved in an intramural sport with all of the friends you are making. A healthy you leads to a happy you; we guarantee it.
6) Explore Storm Lake
Naturally, most of your time will be spent on campus, but every once in a while you will need a break. Storm Lake is filled with fun shopping, eating, and recreational places. Check out the many parks lining the lake, the Sugar Bowl for unique gifts or room décor, BozWellz for scrumptious dessert, or Storm Lake Bakery for delicious doughnut holes!
5) Get to Know Faculty and Staff
You came to college to learn, and the faculty and staff here at Buena Vista University want to accommodate that wish, but if you think spending 12 hours each week in the back row of that classroom is going to land you that dream job after graduation, think again. Be visible during class, ask questions, and visit with professors and other staff members outside of class. Not only do they know more than you do, but they have connections to help you get where you want to go.
4) Go to Class
Whether we like it or not, our main purpose for attending this great university is for the education we gain. Without going to class each period, we aren’t reaching our full potential for learning. Apart from learning, you miss out on valuable opportunities to meet others with similar interests. It’s also important to remember this is a liberal arts college. Take some courses that aren’t in your major. Explore your interests while picking up some gen. ed. credit! You might end up finding your passion.
3) Be on Campus
We understand home is where the heart is, but you only have a few short years here at BVU. Take it from a couple of senior students; you will be getting ready to graduate before you know it. Being on campus outside of class time allows you to really bond with your future best friends, and you will find entertainment in the simplest things. In addition, Student Activities Board (SAB) provides tons of fun, FREE events to keep you entertained. If the homesickness is becoming too much for you to handle, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the wonderful support system around you. People such as Ken Meissner (campus chaplain) and Mandy Boothby (campus counselor) are more than happy to offer support and suggestions to make you comfortable away from home.
2) Get Involved!
As BVU becomes your new home, make sure to get out and experience all it has to offer! With a variety of athletic teams, intramurals, dozens of campus organizations, and new events popping up all the time, it is easy to find something fun to do. Along with participating for yourself, take some time to support others and give back to the community. Attend events to cheer on your friends, and find a way to volunteer your gifts to help someone else in need. You will be surprised by how much fun you have in the process.
1) Step Outside the Box
Your time here at BVU is not meant to be contained in a box. Get out, and try new things! Eat new foods; see new places; talk to new people. If you spend your time here doing only what you find typical and comfortable, you are missing out on what being a Beaver is all about! Seek out the opportunities that excite you, and you never know what you will find. You will learn new things, grow as an individual and a leader, and meet plenty of great friends along the way.
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Photos by Makensie Brown & Tyson Domingo
