By VANESSA LANGDON
News Editor
So you’re new to campus, don’t worry we’re here to help.
Saint Rose is a friendly campus with lots going on and some students have assembled to bring you what they’ve learned in their time here at the school you are now going to call home. So, sit back and prepare to feel a little more comfortable. With some older students on your side, and your resident assistant and advisor, you’ll be another person that says “hi” to at least five people walking to any given class.
While school is obviously important, there are other things besides school that have to be in order to be able to focus in class and get the workload done.
You have to make this place your home by getting involved.
“Do things you would never do back home. I’ve really destroyed my comfort zone since coming to college, and that’s a good thing,” said Mike Aurrichio, a junior at the College.
Aurrichio has battled homesickness in a way that many students find to be the one true remedy, staying busy. He is a tour guide on campus, blogger and has hosted events on campus.
“My favorite part about Saint Rose has to be the events. There’s so much to do around Saint Rose and people don’t even realize it,” said Aurrichio. “I’d highly recommended getting involved and going to events. I’ve met so many awesome people and I’ve gotten so many opportunities and prizes simply by attending events.”
His favorite was the Saint Rose Music Awards, which he hosted last year. The music awards feature student musical acts for a night of fun and an excuse to get dressed up for an evening.
“Every single musical act blew my mind and I actually hosted it this past year,” Aurrichio said.
Josie Difazio was a freshman just last year and used her first year in a new place to her advantage.
“College is nothing like high school, college is a clean slate. Start over and leave your high school self behind and be the person you truly want to be,” Difazio said. “Do not be scared to make mistakes, mistakes are truly the best lessons.”
The clean slate comes with a new room and a roommate that shares that room with you. Making that room feel more like a home can make the time you spend in there, doing work or just binge watching Netflix, much more enjoyable.
“Make your room as roomy as possible. Dorms are small, but do whatever you can to make it cozy, invest in a good mattress topper, and decorate your side of the room with things that you like,” advised Difazio.
The roommate situation can be tough, you can be best friends with your roommate and be attached at the hip, or you could be enemies, most likely though you’ll be somewhere in the middle. Be civil and cohabitation and it shouldn’t be the end of the world.
“You and your roommate do not have to be best friends, but a semester will seem like forever if you two are constantly arguing,” Difazio said.
Organization is important in a small space and can help the collegiate workload be a bit more manageable.
“Keep your stuff organized,” warned Gianna Cilluffo, a junior at the College. “It’s a small space that can easily be cluttered.”
She also spoke of the merits that can be found in the library, a place you should get very comfortable with.
“There are personal and group study rooms in the library and those are definitely one of the greatest assets to the campus!”
Professors’ office hours are also a useful tool in helping the transition and getting help with managing and understanding assignments.
The most important thing to know is that every one is in the same boat with not knowing people and figuring out how to mange workloads.
“Breathe. It’ll be okay”, said Mike Aurrichio. “You’re meant to be here and things are gonna work out! Just don’t forget to breathe.”
