This summer, I had a series of conversations with fellow newly nostalgic, conscious-of-the-hourglass-sand rising seniors about things we wished we had known as first years. I have consolidated some common themes into this list, in the hopes that it might be a valuable addition to the medley of welcome materials overwhelming the Class of 2028.

Note: this piece is based on my and my friends’ experience, which is mostly with Global Affairs, EP&E, History and similar tracks. Students pursuing STEM paths may find it less relevant.

Phenomenal faculty and opportunities are available to you; by now, you will have heard lots about writing tutors and course selection. I’ll use this space to emphasize that office hours are the single best chance you have to build relationships with the professors who will eventually act as mentors to you. Come to them prepared. Be familiar with your professor’s academic work and formulate your questions ahead of time. Reading one of their books is not always feasible, but it is one of the most effective things you can do in advance to make a strong impression. Your questions don’t have to be brilliant –– the professor will help guide you to better ones –– but it’s good to show that you have taken care in developing them.

Grades do matter, and you do need to keep yours high if you want to apply to competitive graduate schools later. The same goes for jobs with GPA filtration mechanisms. If you’re concerned about your performance in a class, taking it Credit/D/Fail is probably better than a low grade.

Study what you want to. I’ve known more than a few people persuaded by well-meaning friends and family members to abandon coursework in majors like history, humanities, philosophy and English based on the perception that those fields do not lead to jobs unless you enter academia.

The obnoxious, elitist-sounding truth is that you are at Yale. Being here gives you greater flexibility to explore subjects that are not conventionally pre-professional without harmful consequences to your career prospects outside the academy. If a major in English or history is what calls you –– and your student visa doesn’t limit your options too much –– declare it as English or history, and then make the most of it. A bachelor’s degree in English from Yale College is not going to stop you from getting jobs in finance, consulting, law or government. 

That said, if you do choose a major that doesn’t automatically convey your quantitative skills, consider pursuing a certificate that does, such as Statistics and Data Science. It’s a good way to keep your options open.

Beware the B.S. Club Industrial Complex. Some clubs do meaningful work; others do not. A multi-step application process is not a reliable indicator of a club’s quality. These applications can reflect real selectivity (take your pick of the many, many pre-professional clubs on campus), but can also strategically mask its absence, convincing new students that they are joining something with the cachet of competitive selection when they really are not (examples omitted). 

If a club is pre-professional, good indicators include completion of substantive projects, a history of hosting good speakers, the existence of clear progressional pathways and the presence of robust alumni networks. Asking trusted upperclassmen can be a great strategy for telling the difference between real and exaggerated club features; so can trusting your gut during the first few meetings you attend.

Join groups you truly want to be part of. Every organization will at some point require tedious or downright unpleasant tasks from you. Sacrificing (time, sleep, other work) for a common goal is the obligation that comes with belonging to that organization. If you’re not that passionate about the group, you may not make the sacrifices needed to become a sincere part of it –– or you will, but those sacrifices won’t have been worth your while. 

The teams you join and the friendships you make with your peers during your four years here can be as important as the classes you take. Don’t feel guilty about dedicating your attention to a frat or an a cappella group instead of the many Yale clubs that focus on community service or set you up for a career in finance. Your time in college is singular and limited and you should spend it on the tasks and with the teams that energize you. (That said, if you do want to do good, impactful community service work, check out Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance.)

Most importantly, remember to treasure your time here in New Haven. Before you know it, you’ll be a senior like me, tut-tutting the next generation of bulldogs. Welcome to Yale! I hope you’ll love it as much as I have.

ISABEL ARROYO is a senior in Pierson College. She can be reached at isabel.arroyo@yale.edu.