For every freshman, college is a big change. At a school as big as the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the challenge can seem especially daunting. As someone who moved to Madison from out of state, I had no idea what to expect. I didn’t know anyone, and I had a lot of anxiety.
Initially, things didn’t go perfectly. I struggled to navigate campus, ate some questionable food and was left feeling defeated when I almost failed a class. But through trial and error, I eventually found my way.
When I return to campus this fall as a sophomore, I’ll be living in a house with my best friends, taking classes for my major that interest me and settling into my newfound home at The Daily Cardinal. There are a few things I learned during my freshman year that will help anyone make the most of the Badger experience.
First, do not get hung up on your dorm assignment. It’s easy to get sucked into opinions about walking distances, room sizes and dining halls. The list goes on. In reality, every single dorm building has its own set of pros and cons.
I lived in Lowell my freshmen year. It wasn’t one of my top choices. It’s a long walk from almost everything on campus. On the flip side, my roommate and I had our own bathroom and Target was only two minutes away.
But what I learned is that nothing is entirely good or bad. Whether you think you won the lottery or not, your dorm will not make or break your entire year. Your ability to see campus, meet people and experience things is far more dependent on yourself, not where you’re living.
Second, build yourself a schedule. Having class for just a few hours of the day is a big switch from high school for most students. It can be easy to waste time or procrastinate when you have that much freedom. I found it incredibly helpful to be consistent and schedule time to study, go to the gym, clean or do whatever else. It’s certainly not a one-size-fits-all solution, but developing a schedule that works for you is an easy way to balance your time with fun and productivity.
My third tip is to watch your spending. Be aware that things add up fast. This is especially true with food; Doordash is your enemy. You certainly don’t have to stop buying things, but be aware that you have to get through an entire year. If you can, identify areas you might be willing to make sacrifices in, and make those adjustments early on.
Once you’ve braced yourself financially, your next step is to brace yourself for the weather. For me, coming to Wisconsin was a move south. The high levels of snow and ice that I was expecting ended up just being a lot of slush in my eyes. I was not prepared and ended up wishing I had a lighter coat and more waterproof shoes.
For a lot of students, a move to Wisconsin is a move north. They’re shocked by colder temperatures and increased precipitation. Different ways to prepare can include making sure you have the right clothes, learning how to use the bus system on campus and factoring in the extra time it takes to get around in the winter. Regardless of who you are, it’s important to recognize that the weather will impact your life, especially if you’re not used to winter at all.
My final and most important tip is to engage with others.
During my freshman year, the very first welcome week event was a pet plant activity. We were all told to stop by the Gordon Dining and Events Center and pick up our personal pet plants. Neither my roommate or I cared for plants, but because we chose to go anyway, it didn’t take long before “who can grow the bigger plant?” became a competition with our next door neighbor.
It became a reason to check in and knock on each other’s doors. That neighbor is still my best friend today. Ask any upperclassman, and they will have similar stories about the strange, roundabout ways they made friends their freshman year.
UW-Madison is brimming with opportunities like these for every single person that wants them, but you must be willing to go find them.
Go to the welcome week events. Talk to your professors. Join clubs. Knock on doors. Sit next to people in class. We’re all nervous, embarrassed and afraid we’re the only ones who don’t know what’s going on. We’re all eager to make the most of our time at UW-Madison.
One of the benefits of UW-Madison’s size is that when you come across something you don’t like — a club, a class or an individual — it’s easy to start again. Nothing has to be permanent. There are always more people to meet and more things to try. The key is to keep trying until you find your place and to try without fear.
No matter how you’re feeling, the best way to have a successful freshman year is to find ways to get involved and to find community on campus. I couldn’t be more grateful for the people and opportunities that brought so much love and excitement to my freshman year.
