Hi incoming UW students. Having just finished my first year, I would like to share some pieces of advice that really helped me get adjusted during my first semester.
- Do everything!! During the first couple of weeks there are a bunch of events that the school hosts in order to get new students involved and meet other students. These may seem boring and useless, but they give you a great opportunity to meet new students just like you. You never know, the person sitting next to you could be your best friend for the rest of your life. This is something I learned after my first semester. There were so many things I wish I could have done to expand my horizons and meet new people from all over.
- Get involved. Even the smallest thing can make the biggest difference for you. You will begin to learn things about yourself you never thought was possible. You can start small and join one club or organization and eventually you can expand your interests throughout each semester. The connections you make from each organization can help you greatly in the future. You can learn about all different clubs and organizations at the fair UW hosts in the Kohl center at the beginning of each semester.
- My last piece of advice is to simply just walk around wherever you’re living and talk to the people around you. Again, you never know who your closest friends are going to be, so it’s important to be friendly to everyone.
I hope these pieces of advice help in your transition to UW-Madison. It is truly the best place, and the time you spend here flies.
