How to navigate the first week of school
By Veronica Fulton// Organizations Editor
Being a first year student can be intimidating between the new dorm, new people and overall new life. High Point University acknowledges this and exerts extra efforts to make sure that the students succeed and feel comfortable. The Student Success, Peer Mentor and Peer Navigator programs all work together to make sure that students are transitioning to college smoothly.
The Peer Navigator program has recently been remodeled so that it functions in a better fashion. This program is run by the Freshman Success Coaches who have employed students from each major to mentor a group of incoming freshmen who share the same major. The purpose of this program is to help first year students to get involved within their majors and also to assist students who have questions about which classes they should take or which professors to choose.
“I was involved in the revitalization from its prior Peer Facilitator stage to the now new and improved First Year Navigator phase,” Jena Loftin, First Year Navigator, said. “I attended orientations with my former Success Coach to help new students get acclimated to their new life. I think having a peer that an incoming student can talk to is more beneficial than talking to an adult about any questions they may have. I’ve had students reach out to me after orientation with all kinds of questions, and it is rewarding to be able to help them transition to their home away from home.”
The Activities Fair is another great event that helps students get involved with clubs outside of the classroom. There are clubs for different interests like arts, religion, service, politics and sports. There are over 100 clubs that are represented at the fair, which will be held on Aug. 22 beginning at 1 p.m. outside of Cottrell Hall. As a first year student, it can feel overwhelming, but the Peer Navigators and Peer Mentors are in place to make everything goes smoothly.
“The activities fair is beneficial because you get to find people that share your interests and discover new ones that you didn’t even know you had,” Ameer Tyree, junior, said. “I found out about Club Soccer, HPU News and Sports Link through the Activities Fair and I still participate in those.”
Dos and Dont’s of the Activities Fair:
1. Make sure to keep an open mind. College is a fresh start, so there may be clubs that you’ve never heard of or tried out before, but now is the time.
2. Do not sign up for too many clubs. We’ve all been there, signing up for every single club we see, bright eyed and excited to get involved and begin our new lives. However, a few weeks will roll by and you’ll start ignoring the emails and Facebook group requests from that really persistent club that meets six times a week.
3. Actually follow through with at least one or two of the groups you sign up for. These organizations are a great way to meet new people, get involved on campus, learn new skills, hone old skills and connect with professors.