Staying Overnight Makes a Difference

From Andrea Lirio

Why you should definitely consider and overnight and what to expect.

The long wait is over! You’ve finally heard back from colleges and now you’ve got some decisions to make. Before buying college merch and posting your decision on social media, you should definitely consider having an overnight stay. An overnight is extremely important in figuring out if the college’s culture and offerings fit you. Going for an overnight visit or visiting the campus in general is an important tool to help you choose a school that’s perfect for you!

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Taking Time to Get Involved

From Andrea Lirio

It’s never too late to join schools clubs and organizations!

The first semester of college is a whirlwind — there are so many people to meet, new places to explore, things to try, and organizations to join. During my first semester, I was overwhelmed with all of the options. To ease my way into Bryn Mawr’s community, I decided to focus on classes, exploring campus and the areas around us, and spending time making friends. Now in my second semester, I feel more adjusted to college life and ready to join a few organizations.

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Participating in Class Discussions

From Andrea Lirio

Starting college with the fear of speaking up in class, and how I overcame it.

I’ve always had a fear of speaking up in class. When I was in high school, I had trouble speaking up in class because I hated getting answers wrong. You speak up in class, and your teacher tells you you’re wrong in front of all of your classmates. How embarrassing! It’s not easy to put yourself out there and throughout the years, I grew more uncomfortable participating in class discussions. In coming to Bryn Mawr, I hoped to break out of my shell and face my fear of speaking in class.

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That’s a Wrap!

From Andrea Lirio

At the End of Term Feast with friends!

That’s a wrap! I’ve completed the first semester of my college career! I genuinely can’t believe it. I’ve successfully completed the Emily Balch Seminar, the THRIVE Seminar, Intermediate Spanish, Intro to Sociology, and Intro to Urban Studies! This semester has gone by faster than I thought it would. I wish I could rewind and do it all over again! 

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Finding Your Why

From Andrea Lirio

 

As the end of fall semester nears, one of my first college courses is also ending. The THRIVE seminar, a course that all first-years take to aid in the transition to college, is just 10-weeks long but we’ve covered a lot. We’ve discussed time management, mental health, the power of confrontation, and any questions we’ve ever had through our transition into college. In our most recent class, they gave us a worksheet with “Kick-Ass Questions About Life” for us to consider as we prepare to start our second semester. Here are a few of the questions:

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Lantern Night 2018

Each fall, the Bryn Mawr community gathers in the Cloisters to welcome the first-years into our academic community during one of our most hallowed traditions, Lantern Night. Lit only by the light of student lanterns and surrounded by the crisp autumn air, this tradition has an ethereal quality that is hard to explain. Students don black robes and sing Greek hymns, swaying their lanterns back and forth. First-year students are entrusted with their own lanterns, symbols of wisdom and knowledge, from sophomores. The ceremony revolves around the idea of passing knowledge from generation to generation.

Even though there is a special emphasis on first-year students, everyone benefits from Lantern Night. We asked Andrea ’22 and Celine ’19 to share their thoughts about the tradition.

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On Homesickness

From Andrea Lirio

 

If I’m being honest, I haven’t been particularly homesick yet. While many of my peers are homesick – calling their parents and siblings daily and crying over missing home-cooked food – I have yet to feel that way. Personally, I feel prepared and excited. When my parents and siblings left me at Bryn Mawr on move-in day, I was beyond excited — I felt ready. I was thrilled to get to meet new people, explore campus, and learn about a new area. My mom and dad message me every day and call me – usually during the worst times of the day – to check in. Through September, I reassured my parents that I’d see them again during Fall Break in October.

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Why making friends shouldn’t be on your list of college concerns 

From Andrea Lirio

 

Before going to college, I worried about a lot of things – how to decorate my room, how to balance work and life, how to make new friends, etc. Believe it or not, you’re not alone in these worries. That’s the great thing about your first year of college: everyone is new; everyone is in the same boat as you.

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