The following does not represent the views of Loyola University Maryland, the Greyhound, or Loyola University’s Department of Communication.
As the 2023-2024 year comes to an end, I wanted to share some input from our first-year class of 2027. It isn’t easy being a first-year in college with the new adjustments and new work loads. It takes a lot to get used to. One of the greatest assets of our school is the diverse community. Loyola offers many different diverse clubs and is a very diverse school. Engaging with people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and cultures is very important when starting college.
Loyola offers a lot of opportunities beyond the classroom. It is a good idea to explore these opportunities such as different clubs, sports teams, and activities that align with your interests and passions. Not only will this add to your college experience, but it will also help you find lasting friendships and will help you meet new people.
Messina is a first-year class throughout the year that is only first-years. You are assigned an evergreen, who is an upperclassmen student that will help you learn about the school. Messina is a very important class to attend because it helps you get familiar with the campus. My Messina experience was great, and I got one of my best friends here out of it. It really connects you to the school and helps you adjust to the college-level.
Taylor Kellerman ‘27 shares some of her advice to incoming first-years.
“I would definitely go to your Messina class, that’s where I met one of my closest friends and go to the activities fair the first couple weeks of school. There’s a lot of fun clubs to get involved with,” Kellerman said.
Your Evergreen at Loyola will be your biggest helper in the first couple months you are here. Don’t be afraid to reach out to them if you are stuck or confused about anything. At Loyola they do a good job trying to bring everyone together.
“Messina gave me one of my best friends here. I think it’s a great opportunity for freshmen to meet new people, I like how Loyola did this,” Samantha Kehlenbach ‘27 said.
For more information about Messina visit this Website.
As a first-year in the class of 2027, I can definitely say that this school year passed by with a blink of an eye. I felt as though I was just a first-year going to orientation. Take advantage of the opportunities Loyola gives you because time passes by really fast. The experiences you make at college shape the person you are going to be in the future.
Setting goals for yourself is a great way to look through college. Set goals for yourself and plan to achieve them. Balancing academic responsibilities with other classes, work, and sports is challenging. Time management is very important as a first-year as the adjustment from high school to college is very different. Prioritize your time effectively and establish a balance between schoolwork, your friends and other college activities.
Rose Kealey ‘27 shares her advice for incoming first-years.
“First manage your time and learn how to do it because it’s very important here. Stay organized and stay on top of your assignments. Get involved and join clubs. Also don’t be afraid and ask for help from professors or tutors,” Kealey said.
Time management is very important in college but also in everyday life. In college you have a lot of time on your hands, learning how to manage it is key for a new student.
Planning out your schedule and taking time to organize your work is very important. Try avoiding procrastination as much as you can, being a new college student procrastination is very common. Make sure you have enough time for studying, attending classes, completing assignments, and preparing for exams. This helps you maintain good grades and achieve academic success.
Best of luck to the first-year class of 2028!
