5 Tips for Picking the Perfect Roommate

Going from living at home to the dorm life, is one of the biggest adjustments when coming to college. Here are 5 tips and tricks to think about when looking for a roommate:

  • Chat with multiple people in the Facebook group. This is where you can have small talk and get to know others. Don’t settle for the first person you talk to just because you’re nervous. You have time to figure it out.
  • Discuss interests and hobbies. It is always nice to live with someone who is similar to you. This will make it easier to figure out activities to do during the week and on the weekends.
  • Figure out how they live. Ask when the go to bed, when they wake up, if they are neat or messy, whether they like going out or staying in, etc. Asking these questions can help you figure out if you two have the same ideal living situation in mind.
  • Meet up! If you live close to a potential roommate, schedule a time and place to meet one another. If you don’t live close to each other, try to pick the same orientation date.
  • Connect with them! The glory of having social media is that you can connect with anyone on a variety of different platforms. Add each other on Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Facebook, etc., this can give you a better idea of who they are.
Check out this great interview with Trisha and Camry that touches on what to think about when finding a roommate

Final Curtain Call: A Letter to My Freshman Self

Here you are, senior year, two weeks away from graduation. Where are you going next? What are your plans after graduation? As I sit here typing one of my last blog entries, I realize that I honestly have no idea what is next but, I am so excited. I look back on my time here with little to no regrets because my college experience was everything I wanted. If I could give my freshman self a list of advice this is what it would be:

  • Put yourself out there. Join clubs, organizations, make friends with everyone on your floor and join study groups. Most people you meet freshman year are going to be the people you spend the next four years with.
  • Take every opportunity to hang with your friends. In college, you meet some of your best friends that you’ll stay close with for the rest of your life. Even when life gets busy, make time for them. Once you leave college, most of your friends won’t be right down that hall from you.
  • Go out and have fun on those random Tuesday nights (after your school work is done of course).
  • Enjoy the unlimited dining hall food. Yes, it may not be the “best” but, once you move off campus you’ll regret not having a variety of food made for you.
  • Take as many classes that interest you. You’re in college the world is your oyster. There are so many different courses that can count towards your degree. So, take the classes you’re passionate about.
  • It’s okay if you don’t know what you want to do. You have FOUR years to figure it out so don’t stress.
  • Call mom and dad at least once a week. Yes, you are having a great first few weeks but, trust me, they miss you a lot.
  • DON’T PROCRASTINATE! Get to the library and finish your school work! Don’t wait till Sunday or the night before somethings due. It’ll drive you crazy.
  • Take care of your mental and physical health. There are two gyms on campus and along with a great running route near the water. Also, mental health is extremely important. Be sure to take time for yourself.
  • Become close with faculty members. They are here to help you out whenever you need. Go in for office hours if you don’t understand something. Professors want you to succeed!
  • Realize that it’s okay to make mistakes. We are all human, nobody is perfect! If something goes wrong or isn’t playing out how you wanted, know that it’ll work out in the end.
  • Don’t fret over dumb drama or people who make you feel any less. You don’t need that negativity in life and know that there are so many other people on campus you can meet and hang with.
  • If you don’t like your major… CHANGE IT.
  • Don’t compare yourself to others. Everyone has a different path and a different journey!

Lastly, when I say four years goes by in the blink of an eye, I mean it. What I would do to go back to the day where I moved into Seneca Hall room 901. I had no idea what was in store for me but, I knew the next four years were going to be full of many firsts, finding myself, and meeting people who will forever have an impact on my life. Enjoy the next four years, you’ll never get this time back.

College and Relationships

Leaving your life at home and going off to college can be exciting yet scary. You’re never sure what friendships or relationships will last once you start your “new life” in a new town but, I can assure you everything will be okay.

College is the time for personal growth. It is okay if you distance yourself from that person who was your significant other in high school or if don’t talk to your home friends every second of everyday. They are also growing and getting use to their “new life”.

I am lucky enough to say that I am still close with my home friends. I may not talk to them everyday, but we do check in with each other every now and then. The distance from your friends or significant others only makes seeing them on breaks so much better! Being able to hear how everyones first semester went on Thanksgiving break is always worth the wait. Trust me, that wait goes very fast.

When I came to college, I gave myself that time to be on my own and focus on me. I made friends with people on my floor, who I would get lunch with, talked to kids who were in my classes that became my study buddies and I eventually joined a sorority my sophomore year which helped me meet even more people.

There are so many different opportunities to meet people and become comfortable with the SUNY Oswego environment. Going to orientation, floor meetings, the Involvement Fair where you can sign up for clubs, talking in the Facebook group or creating a GroupMe chat room are all great ways to meet people the second you step foot on campus.

Remember everyone is in the same boat! So don’t feel weird about talking to someone who sits next to you in class or popping your head into your neighbors room and asking if they want to go to the dining hall. It’s a new environment for everyone so don’t be nervous to put yourself out there!

5 Fun Ideas That Will Get You Out of Your Dorm

It is Friday afternoon, classes are done for the week, homework is put away and you are trying to figure out what activities you can do as the weather starts to warm up. Here are 5 fun ideas to get you out of your dorm room and outside:

  1. Take a trip to Rudy’s for lunch or dinner. It is a short walk from campus and you have a nice view of the lake as you venture down the road. Rudy’s is a great place to hang out and enjoy some great food! After Rudy’s be sure to stop over at Bev’s to pick up some delicious ice cream. Address: 78 Co Rte 89, Oswego, NY 13126
  2. Flat rocks is a fun place where you can go swimming once the water warms up and hang with friends. At flat rocks, you can see the famous Oswego sunset.
  3. If you are into history, check out Fort Ontario. Not many people know but, Oswego is a very historic town. At Fort Ontario, visitors can use a take along tour which they can read while going through the fort. The fort has artifacts and professional displays available to the public that reflect the history. Address: 1 E 4th St, Oswego, NY 13126
  4. The Oswego Riverwalk is a great place to take your bike, rollerblade, or even just walk. You can enjoy the view of the river along with getting some exercise. If you are into fishing, this is also a spot to check out in the fall when all the salmon return up the river. There are also several different restaurants near the riverwalk that you can check out.
  5. If you have a car on campus, take a trip to Chimney Bluffs State Park. At the Bluffs, you can capture amazing pictures of the lake along with enjoying some hiking and relaxing on the beach. Address: 7700 Garner Road Wolcott, NY 14590.
View from the walk down to Rudy’s and Bev’s from campus dorms

The Last Round: Advice to Freshman

Six weeks into my last semester of college. Where has the time gone? Just yesterday, I was getting ready for my first spring break as a college student. I was an exhausted freshman who was ready for my first year to be over. I look back and think “what was the rush?”.

If I could give advice to freshman or incoming students, I would say, don’t count down the weeks. Take advantage of everything  going on in this little college town that we are so proud to call ours. These four years of your life go by in a blink of an eye and before you know it, you will also be walking across that stage in May. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Stress of school work, friends, and the “dorm-life” is only temporary. Make sure you go to as many hockey games with your friends and cheer as loud as you can to show your Laker pride. Say “yes” to late night in the dining hall to enjoy those late night bites. Also, switch your major if you aren’t passionate about it, it’s okay, you have time. Most importantly, enjoy every second of everyday. You are only here for four years, so live it up while you can.

Introducing Abby

Hi! I am Abigayle Shaw, Abby for short. I am so excited to be one of the SUNY Oswego social media interns for the spring 2019 semester. My time at SUNY Oswego is sadly coming to an end in May but, I am eager to share my time, memories, and experiences in my blogs throughout the semester.

I started my time at SUNY Oswego fall 2015 as a public relations major. During my sophomore year I realized I wanted to learn more about the business and marketing side of PR. After researching my options, I picked up a marketing sequence along with a minor in business administration. By adding the sequence and minor, I’ve had many more opportunities when it comes to internships.

Fall of my sophomore year, I joined Delta Phi Epsilon which is one of the four National Sororities here on campus. Being a member of this sorority has given me leadership experience and has motivated me to be the very best version of myself. This year I was elected for the role of VP of Recruitment for National Panhellenic Council. It has been an honor being on Panhellenic E-board and helping organize/run formal recruitment. Being apart of a National Sorority has opened so many doors and has strengthened my social network.

This last semester is bittersweet. I will be cherishing every last second of it.