How to survive Guad Hill… and college
Alright, I wasn’t inclined to believe this either my freshman year when I was fighting life and limb to secure a washing machine in Guad’s basement, but it’s actually true, time in college really does fly by. It seems like just yesterday I was wheezing up Guad Hill, attempting to master the art of walking into class out of breath, but I’ll be a college graduate by the end of the year.
Though I’ve yet to perfect the last one, I have learned a few things in my time here at Carroll that I think are worth sharing.
Number One: Join as much as you can.
You don’t need to join every single club, but choosing one or two clubs or campus activities to devote some extra time to will be a great way to meet people with similar interests. Not to mention, it will get you out of your dorm room. I’ve been on the Gold Team for three years, and I’ve met some amazing people and genuinely had a better college experience because of it. (Not a plug, but we are hiring…)
Number Two: Get to know your RA and your floormates
Your RA is one of your most valuable assets here at Carroll. Not only are they trained on how to guide you through a new phase of your life, but they’re also the people who are responsible for letting you back into your room when you’re locked out at 1 a.m. Your floormates are also great people to get to know.
Living in Guad feels like the equivalent of having a massive sleepover, especially when it’s your first time living away from your family, so getting to know the people next to and across from you is a great way to make friendships.
Number Three: Don’t buy a new ID CARD, it’s probably in your couch
If there is one thing I hope you take away from this article, dear God, please let it be this. I’ve spent copious amounts of money on replacing my ID card, and without fail, I have always found it three days later. Your ID card is literal gold, so better yet, just don’t lose it, baby. Without it, you can’t get into any buildings, let alone your room.
P.S. I’m still a little salty about the fact that freshmen now get to choose their own ID card picture. Mine was taken after a particularly heinous Guad move-in.
Number Four: A chill night in your dorm is still a valid way to spend the weekend
Two words (without a hyphen): self-care. Take it from someone who suffers from intense FOMO, it is great to get involved and plan fun outings on the weekend, but it is equally as valid to take a break and just chill in your room. Taking a night off will not make you any less cool. You will have plenty of time in your four years here to experience everything, so one night of a Modern Family binge will not keep you from having the college experience.
Number Five: Don’t be afraid to get a W on your transcript
It’s okay to withdraw from a course, even after the add/drop date. A ‘W’ is in no way a reflection of inadequacy and is pretty much inconsequential on a transcript that reflects hard work over four years. Plus, getting a ‘W’ in a course is better than getting an ‘F’ if you really aren’t sure you’re going to pass, especially if it helps your grades in other classes.
Number Six: You can change your major or add a minor whenever!
The registrar’s office is your friend and so is your advisor. As someone who started out on the occupational therapist track and then had a brief existential crisis understand that it is never too late to change your major if your heart is no longer in it. I’m now an elementary and special ed major with much better mental health. It’s better to change your life path during undergrad than get to grad school and realize you no longer want to pursue your degree. Change is okay, and you shouldn’t waste your time doing something you don’t want to do just for the sake of staying on the same path.
Number Seven: Get a meal plan for all 4 years
Raise your hand if you’ve ever walked into WinCo with a dinner idea and left fifty dollars poorer. A meal plan is going to save your bank account. Even if it’s a commuter plan, you’ll use it more than you think because it turns out that being an iron chef in your dorm kitchen is nearly impossible to do on a budget.
Number Eight: There’s a surprising amount to do for free in Helena!
Save your money, you’re going to need it to pay back those student loans! There are lots of activities to do that don’t require you to pay. For example, you can hike Mt. Helena, or go to trivia night at Lewis and Clark. You can also get a membership to the Lewis and Clark County Library for free, where they have thousands of books and movies. Carroll Student Activities and ASCC also host many events on campus that are free to students, like football tailgates and Casino Night, for example!
The name of my column may be a bit misleading because I still can’t walk up Guad Hill without wheezing, but the rest of these tips have helped me and guided me in my college experience. Whether you choose to follow these or not though, college is an adventure and something that you’ll create your own road map for. The most important thing is being open to doing so.