Category Archives: Transfer Students

5 Tips for Picking the Perfect Roommate

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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

College and Relationships

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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!

Freshman Year Scaries: New School, New Friends?

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Freshman year is one of the most amazing times in your life and if you’re lucky enough to experience this opportunity, I am sure you will see this too. Entering college is a huge life change, as many incoming freshman have lived in the same place for 18 years of their life. One thing a lot of incoming freshman are scared about is starting over and making new friends.

I was definitely one of them. Four years ago I left high school with a huge group of friends (10 boys and 10 girls) and it seemed perfect but none of us were going to be in the same place after college. This left me lost and alone but eager for a fresh start. I took advantage of this opportunity knowing I was vulnerable and put myself out there in some of the few ways I recommended below.

For those of you who are incoming freshmen and transfer students, this is what I recommend:

  • Utilize the Facebook group chat to find students who have similar interests to yours (this is how I found my freshman year roommate)
  • When you move into your dorm, take the opportunity to get to know your neighbors and other people living in your dorm. I found that the first few floor meetings were an excellent opportunity for this!
  • Try to be as open as you can! There is nothing to be afraid of because everyone is in the same position weather they show it or not.
  • Go to the student involvement fair which takes place the first week of classes!
  • Get involved on campus – this is a great way to meet people all over the SUNY Oswego campus and find something other than academics that interests you.

Most importantly, remember that you are not alone in the process there are thousands of new students attending this fall that have the same nerves you have.