Whether you’re starting as a freshman or transferring to Cedarville University like I had, your time here marks a new chapter in your life. This phase is filled with its own set of challenges and opportunities. For incoming freshmen, the transition from high school to college can be both exhilarating and daunting. To help you in navigating this transition to Cedarville, I’ve gathered insights from handful of friends and peers, offering valuable strategies and life hacks that will help you make the most out of your time at Cedarville University.
Embracing Campus Life
Engage with a Discipleship group or a student organization on campus. Cedarville provides numerous student orgs that appeal to a multitude of hobbies and interests. Ranging from learning more about your major outside of class, fun activities like the nerf gun community, or music-related orgs such as the Inversions acapella group, there is a LOT that students orgs have to offer. Involvement in any campus groups or activities makes it easier to meet people and make long-lasting friendships. The Cedarville “bubble” encourages you to reach out to others and make meaningful connections, whether it’s in your classes or while in the line for ice cream at Chucks.
Don’t feel pressured about finding your friend group as soon as you get here. Friendships take time to develop, so take your time in exploring different social circles on campus to figure out what fits you best! The people you hang around with are the people that will influence your character. If you search for friends that pursue Christ and encourage a healthy lifestyle, you will find your habits gravitating towards growing in Christ.
Be sure to engage with and build relationships with Cedarville’s faculty and staff. The professors here have a LOT to offer, and have vast life wisdom to share outside of the classroom. They are willing and eager to pour into your life; make the most of it.
Prioritizing Time Management
One of the most important skills you’ll be learning in college is how to manage your time here. Be mindful of not only your course load but also any extracurricular activities, personal projects, or working a job. While Cedarville is abundant in social activities, remember to keep your academics as a priority. You cannot do all of them without sacrificing your academics.
One strategy I’ve used throughout my time at Cedarville has been visualizing my time schedule is blocking out time slots in a calendar to figure out when I have free time, and how I can use it best for studies, exercising, and other personal projects. Find a balance between engaging in the campus life, and keeping focus on educational goals.
Prioritizing Personal Health
Your physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being is necessary for succeeding well, not only academically but in all other aspects of living. Prioritize sleep, nutrition, exercise, and time in God’s Word in your schedule. Spend time discerning what a healthy balance between your personal life and academics looks like on a semester-by-semester basis.
Make time to be physically active. Whether you’re a gym enthusiast or not, setting time for activity, whether it’s a workout at the gym or walking around the lake, any physical activity is better than nothing at all. It does wonders for improving your mental health, especially when exams roll around.
Make sure you’re getting the rest you need. Studying late into the evening for an exam the following day isn’t worth it. You are far better off to get a good night’s rest and not know some things on an exam rather than being sleep deprived and forgetting what you do know.
Asking for Help when Necessary
Don’t hesitate to ask for help, both academically or spiritually. Take advantage of Cedarville’s resources like Tutoring, Counselling, and Disability support. Professors, advisors, and a plethora of support services are often available. Accepting support demonstrates strength, not weakness. Be willing to put yourself out there.
Placing Christ First
As Christians, our faith should be integrated into all things, including the college experience. Get plugged into a local church for fostering your spiritual growth through your friendships and mentorships. Like mentioned earlier, consider joining a discipleship group on campus to further your growth on campus. Make Christ the center of your life, and always look for opportunities to deepen your personal relationship with Him. It won’t be too hard to look here.
Additional Tips and Insights
- Explore the Cedarville area beyond the campus. Despite us being in the middle of the cornfields in Ohio, there’s still a plethora of scenic spots and other hotspots such as Mom & Dad’s or Young’s to appreciate.
- Instead of confining studying to one location or your dorm room, try different places throughout campus. Some of my favorite places to study are the lower SSC, the library, and Beans & Cream down the road.
- Make the most of your flex dollars. Budget them so you can use them throughout the semester, whether you’re using them for coffee at Rinnova, or if you want to treat yourself to a Chick-fil-A milkshake.
- Learn to cook on the grill at Chucks. Don’t be afraid to experiment a bit on it. It’s a game changer for eating in there.
- Attend your classes consistently. You and/or your parents have made a large investment towards your education. Even if you don’t think it’s important, consistency in attendance will help your academic performance more than you realize.
- Adjust your expectations from high school. With college comes a substantial difference in challenges. Understand that just because you had a 4.0 or higher in high school does NOT mean you’ll get one in college, and there is nothing wrong with that. Thankfully, we don’t need a high GPA to get to heaven. Don’t idolize it.
Conclusion
With these tips and insights in mind, I hope you can feel better prepared for navigating your academic journey at Cedarville University. Make the most of every day here. Find application points in chapel and church to draw from. Rejoice in the Lord in blessings and hardships alike. Make every day at college one step closer to Christ.
Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
Colossians 3:17