Starting college is one of the most exciting times in young adults' lives, but the transition can feel overwhelming.
But, with this list of tips and tricks, you don’t have to feel lost at Seton Hall.
Best Places to Study
Walsh Library offers some of the best study spots on campus, with each floor having its own designated noise level.
When working in a group, the second floor is the best spot. There are large tables and whiteboards everywhere, making it ideal for collaborative work.
However, if you’re looking for a quieter location, floors three and four have little noise.
Students can also book study rooms in the library to work in a quiet, private environment.
The library isn’t the only good place to study, though.
If you don’t mind noise, the University Center (UC) is another great option. Located in the middle of campus, the UC makes it easy to get to class after studying.
The UC also has easy access to the dining hall, Starbucks and Jersey Mike’s.
Best Places to Eat
The dining hall is packed with a variety of food stations, most of which rotate throughout the week. Options range from specialty stations, like sushi, to student favorites such as chicken nuggets. It is open every day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The true hotspots on campus, though, are the coffee spots. Dunkin’ and Starbucks are popular places for students to grab a quick coffee or snack between classes.
Starbucks is open 24/7, while Dunkin' is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the week and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends.
Jersey Mike’s is another student favorite, open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Best of all, all of these locations accept Pirate Bucks, which are included in some meal plans.
Succeeding in the Classroom
Finding academic success is extremely important during your freshman year. Developing good habits early on will set you up for success for the rest of your time in college and beyond.
Part of succeeding in the classroom is knowing how to engage with professors.
It is best to avoid emailing professors informally, even if they communicate that way themselves. Always start and end emails with a pleasantry to maintain a professional tone.
Procrastination is a habit that may be hard to beat, but studies have found that procrastinating can contribute to mental health issues and unhealthy behaviors. Stay on top of your work so assignments don't build up.
Another important skill to figure out early on is how you study most effectively for tests. This may look different for everyone. Some students prefer using flashcards, while others find practice tests more helpful. The most important thing is finding what works best for you.
One way to study or to seek help is by attending a professor’s office hours. Office hours are typically listed on the syllabus and can be used as a resource if you have questions or want to talk about a topic in further detail.
A difficult adjustment for many students is time management. No one is going to tell you when to complete your work and opportunities to finish assignments during class are not guaranteed.
The Pomodoro technique, which involves 25 minutes of focused work followed by a five-minute break, can help. Another strategy, “eat the frog,” encourages students to complete their hardest or most complex assignments first.
When feeling stuck studying, there are several resources available to help.
The Academic Resource Center (ARC), located on the second floor of the Arts and Sciences building, allows students to schedule 30-minute tutoring sessions with tutors who have taken the classes you need help with.
Similarly, Tutors in Residence, located in freshman dorm buildings, offer scheduled times when students can drop by and receive help. Even if you’re a commuter or don’t live in the residence hall, you can still utilize this resource.
If you need help with a writing assignment, the Writing Center, located on the third floor of the library, is the place to go. Using Compass to set up an appointment, you can discuss your assignment with a tutor who can review your assignment, offer advice and answer questions.
Campus Resources
The Career Center helps students find internships, polish their resumes and develop networking skills.
One resource connected to the Career Center is 12twenty, a website that provides students with events to attend based on their intended career path, as well as internship opportunities.
For students who need professional attire, The Pirates Closet in Bayley Hall offers business-professional clothing at no cost.
For students experiencing technology issues, the Technology Service Desk is available 24/7 through ticket submissions, live chat, email and phone.
If you have password trouble, your computer isn’t working or you are experiencing problems connecting to the university Wi-Fi, the Technology Service Desk is the place to go.
Another technological resource on campus is the Innovation Hub, a new addition to the SHU campus this year.
Located on the first floor of the library, the Hub is designed to catalyze student creativity. It includes the Maker Studio, Exploration Studio and Content Creation Studios, which students can book, as well as the Solutions Studio, which offers walk-up support. Like other study locations in the library, there is also a lounge where students can collaborate on projects.
One of the hub’s unique features is the Iris Photobooth, where students can take professional headshots.
Across the street from the main campus gate is Health Services. They offer a variety of resources, from general primary care to health education and referral services.
For mental health support, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is available to students. CAPS provides individual and group therapy sessions, as well as online therapy through Uwill.
Public Safety provides services including the SHU Ride and the university shuttle service, as well as maintaining a safe campus community.
Emergency buttons are located around campus. If students are in distress or need immediate assistance, they can press one of these buttons, and a member of Public Safety will be there to assist.
For transportation around campus and South Orange Village, SHU offers both a shuttle service and SHU Ride. The shuttle takes students throughout the Village on weekdays and extends to additional locations on weekends.
SHU Ride allows students to request a van to pick them up and drop them off at a location of their choosing within the designated service area. It is available daily from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Both the shuttle and SHU Ride can be accessed through the TripShot app.
Living on Campus
Living on your own for the first time comes with new responsibilities.
For one, laundry. All residence halls have laundry machines, with some located on each floor and others in the basement.
Since there are not a lot of machines, set an alarm to pick up your laundry as soon as it’s finished to ensure it does not end up dropped on top of the machine by someone else.
Living with roommates can also be a challenging adjustment.
At the beginning of the year, every dorm and suite must complete a roommate agreement to establish a set of rules everyone agrees to follow. The agreement covers topics such as guests, chores and quiet hours.
While this agreement helps establish expectations, people’s needs may change throughout the semester, so it is helpful for roommates to communicate openly and frequently.
However, if things turn sour with your roommate, don’t hesitate to talk to your resident assistant (RA), as they are equipped to help you in difficult situations.
Living in a residence hall also means sharing a space with hundreds of other students, so it is important to be mindful of those around you.
Since so many students live in the residence halls, safety is increasingly important. Each on-campus residence hall has security or an RA stationed at the front desk, but being proactive can also help keep you and your belongings safe.
One of the easiest ways to protect yourself is to always lock your door before leaving so no one can enter without a key.
To avoid setting off the fire alarm, keep an eye on your popcorn and hair tools, as the alarm can be very sensitive.
Keep your key and ID nearby at all times so they are easy to grab in case of an emergency.
Finding your place
One of the most challenging parts of freshman year for some students is figuring out where they belong.
Joining clubs that interest you can help you meet people with similar goals while providing an easy way to break the ice.
Talking to classmates is a great way to start making friends. It can be intimidating to put yourself out there, but that first step is the hardest part.
Guide to the village
One of the best perks of attending SHU is having the South Orange Village right outside the campus gates.
SHU students can receive exclusive discounts at select businesses by showing their SHU ID.
There are many great places to get a bite.
Medusa is a Greek restaurant with outdoor seating, about a 10-minute walk from campus. It has an extensive menu featuring a variety of Greek food, from gyros to moussaka.
Toro Loco is a Mexican restaurant located near the South Orange train station. It offers a range of dishes, including burritos, tacos and fajitas.
For more recommendations, check out this article from The Setonian on other students’ favorites.
There is more to do than just eat in the village. The South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC), next to the train station, hosts a variety of shows throughout the years.
If you are looking to venture a bit further from campus, one of the best parts of SHU’s location is its proximity to New York City.
The South Orange Station is part of the New Jersey Transit line, making it easy for students to travel into the city. Downloading the app can help you track train schedules and plan your trip.
If you’re looking for sights to see in NYC, check out this Setonian article.
There is a lot to learn and see at SHU, which can make it hard to manage. Fortunately, these resources make the transition a bit easier.
Kaelyn Blizard is the head editor of The Setonian’s Features section. She can be reached at kaelyn.blizard@student.shu.edu.
