Jessai Flores
Oh, how I remember the day when I moved into my first-year suite in Vandy A, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, eager to explore this new universe of university — see what I did there…
Oh, how I also remember the day when I moved into my first-year suite in Vandy A, slightly teary-eyed and droopy-tailed, nervous to begin this new chapter that is college — that didn’t work as nicely…
If this sounds like you just know that you are not alone. Adjusting to a new environment, whether you are close to or far from home, can feel overwhelming. If only I could bestow upon you a survival kit to help you navigate these first few weeks and feel a little more situated here in your new home… Oh wait! I can! As your first-year fairy godmother, let me delicately wave my magic WKND WAND and bestow this upon you…
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo!
Behold! Your very own first-year survival kit! And unlike Cinderella’s carriage, this will not expire and turn into a pumpkin at midnight.
This may appear like a random collection of “tools,” but they truly helped me throughout my first year, and I hope they do the same for you.
Tool #1: Lecture Buddy
I’m sure many of you have found yourselves enrolled in a large econ or bio lecture this semester, and it’s probably all the way up on Science Hill in YSB Marsh Lecture Hall. If this is you, find yourself a friend or two and stick to them like glue. In all seriousness, though, if you have at least one friend in your lecture, it makes all of the difference. Not only will sitting with them make the time pass by, but you can also enjoy the beautiful Hillhouse Avenue walk with them on the way to class, reward yourselves with a drink from the Jitter Bus after conquering that lecture and go to office hours or work on problem sets together.
Tool #2: Go-To Coffee Shop
Even if you’re not a coffee drinker, hear me out. Many people come into college not being big on coffee or caffeine in general, which, if you’re one of those people, good for you! I wish I didn’t have a mild to severe caffeine addiction, but alas, I’m drinking an iced vanilla latte as I write this. Anyways, no matter what your coffee-drinking preferences are, you’ll want a go-to coffee shop that you can rely on because everyone needs a safe space where they can get an afternoon “pick-me-up,” a pastry, hang out with friends or even do work when the library isn’t cutting it. I don’t want to gatekeep my go-to spot, but here is a hint 🙂
Tool #3: Phone Wallet
If you don’t already have one, run — don’t walk — to the Yale Bookstore and buy yourself a phone wallet that you can stick to the back of your case. The “Keyper” is perfect because it holds both your student ID and room key in one spot, and you’re set! No need to carry around a lanyard, keychain or clunky wallet everywhere you go. Wearing a lanyard might give away the fact that you’re a first year. With this, everything is conveniently in one place and, since I know you always have your phone in your hand, you screenager, you can easily swipe into any building or scan into the dining hall. This was truly a life-changing purchase.
Tool #4: “Y” Sweater
While you’re at the bookstore buying the phone wallet, you might as well treat yourself and purchase the classic, iconic, signature, oh-so-stylish “Y” sweater. This is the merch of all Yale merch. I know what you’re thinking: “It’s so hot outside! Why would I buy a sweater right now?” It may be hard to swallow the idea of a sweater in this sweltering heat, but when the leaves start changing color, the weather will cool in the blink of an eye, and you’ll thank me now that you’re warm and looking stylish by sporting this Yale fashion staple.
Tool #5: Yale “Dictionary”
This one isn’t a physical tool but rather a mental book of all the Yale-specific lingo you may encounter. You will definitely want to keep a record of all of the jargon you hear because it will serve you for the rest of your time here. You might be in the middle of a conversation and someone says, “I’m going to GHeav!” You’ll want to know exactly what they’re talking about — especially if it’s GHeav because that usually entails a delicious sandwich. Some examples? GHeav = Good Nature Market; L Dub = Lanman Wright Hall; pset = problem set; Woads = Toad’s Place on a Wednesday night.
Tool #6: Memory Bank
Before you cringe, just listen — or read, I guess, because you don’t get the lovely privilege of hearing my mellifluous voice impart this wisdom upon you. This will sound cliché, and I know your time at Yale has just begun, but embrace it. Time will fly, and you will create so many memories. Cherish these moments and remember them well. Even your daily experiences, such as playing Spikeball with your friends in the courtyard, are worth embracing and enjoying. To quote a brilliant high school student: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it” (Ferris Bueller, 1986). It’s true. Relish your time here, make memories and enjoy every bit of it.
Now that you have this survival kit, keep it with you! If you’re reading this online, bookmark this page. If you’re reading it in print, good for you because you’re probably in the elite one percent of people who actually read handheld newspapers these days. But actually, if you’re reading a physical copy, tuck it away at the bottom of your backpack and pull it out when necessary.
And with that…
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo! Good luck to you!