Your First Six Weeks

Now that you are settled in, one of the best things about college is meeting people who are different from you and making lifelong friends! We hope that you continue to build friendships and form relationships across campus throughout the year!

Here are some other important interactions and conversations you should have:

• Introduce yourself to your professors. The best times to do this are after class and during their posted office hours.
• Meet someone on a different floor in your residence hall.
• Remember, now that you are away from home and meeting new people, don’t forget where you came from. Make sure that you are keeping connected with friends and family from home. Call, write, email, Facebook, just make sure you stay in touch! They will really appreciate it!

You are probably realizing the differences between high school and college in all areas of your life. Some of your classes are likely becoming more intense as the coursework increases. In other cases, you may not feel like you have as much work because you don’t have weekly assignments.

But, BE CAREFUL — you are accountable for ALL assignments as well as readings. Make sure you are attending all classes and know how to take good notes. Stop by the Learning Center on the first floor of Feinberg Library where you can pick up handouts with helpful note-taking advice.

Tips on being successful academically:

• While in class, sit in the front so that you can pay closer attention and so that the professor can see you.
• Make sure you attend all classes! It will be factored into your grade!
• Use the Learning Center tutors if you need them, it’s FREE.
• Talk with others in your classes and form study groups where you can prepare for quizzes and tests together.
• Don’t forget to also stop by the Learning Center and find out about other ways to succeed and thrive at college including structuring your time, successful study habits, writing tutors and much, much more!

You are an important part of our college! If you are not already involved in a club or organization, join one so you can reap all the benefits that come along with it!

Getting involved helps connect you and will help make you an even more valued member of our community. It’s a great way to gain skills that may help you in your future career. Best of all, it’s a great way to meet new friends and find your “niche” here at SUNY Plattsburgh!

Check out the Student Association (SA) and the Center for Student Involvement, both located in the Angell College Center, where you can find out about services, activities, clubs and organizations that you can become a part of or even create. There are tons of options out there!

By now you have faced, and possibly experienced, many of the challenges and pressures associated with college. Always know that you have the support of your CD and CAs, as well as professionals, services, and offices on campus.

Keep in mind that if you are feeling overwhelmed; you should set up a meeting with your CD or your CA. Remember it is very important to take care of yourself and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you are going through a tough time.

Here is some advice on taking care of yourself:

• Eat healthy by balancing your diet with fruits and vegetables…“An apple a day will get you an ‘A’.”
• Do an activity outdoors or take the stairs instead of the elevator.
• Try to get 7–8 hours of sleep a night.
• Use the Fitness Center.
• Ask an RA what resources are available at the Student Health and Psychological Services building.

You have accomplished so much during your first five weeks! Just think of all of the changes you have adjusted to. Some were easily navigated while others were much more challenging. The important thing is that YOU MADE IT THIS FAR!!!

Now that you have successfully completed your first 5 weeks, it would be a good time to think about the following:

• Evaluate the goals that you set for yourself at the beginning of the year.
• Check out your grades for each class.
• Now is the time to begin your relationship with the Career Development Center.
• Set goals for the remainder of the semester.
• Reflect on the year thus far.
• Think of changes you will make for the remainder of the semester to meet your new goals.