Advice for Navigating the First-Year Experience
Members of the campus community offer their insight to newer Skyhawks.
At the start of the 2024-2025 academic year, Stonehill College welcomed the Class of 2028, one of the largest classes in the institution’s 76-year history. To help them acclimate to campus life, all incoming students are required to take a one-credit “First-Year Experience (FYE)” course during their first semester. Volunteer faculty, staff and returning students facilitate this class.
As the Class of 2028 embraces all that Stonehill has to offer in support of their individual journeys, we recently asked this year’s FYE facilitators to offer their best advice to them on studying, figuring out the best career fit, and making friends in college.
Building Powerful Habits
“Study in the library or in a classroom. There’ll be fewer distractions than in your dorm room or common room. Just make sure you bring everything you need. At the library, talk to the librarians if you need help. Also, visit the third floor if you need help with a class. Tutoring Services is located there. There are many friendly and respectful students working there who took the classes you’re taking.” –Jennifer Bradford ’25
“Keep a calendar and put all your obligations in it. Schedule time for classwork each day and pick a place where you can focus on your work without too many distractions. When things are stressful and feel overwhelming, take a moment to step back and refocus. Concentrate on one piece at a time. And never hesitate to ask for help or seek supportive resources.” –Pauline Burke, Vice President for Student Affairs
“Reviewing your notes each day can help you succeed on a midterm or final by not spending hours cramming half a semester or semester-long worth of topics and concepts all into one night.” –Benjamin Moniz ’26
“Study during the day. As hard as it is to not be on your phone or take naps in between classes, getting all your work done early in the day and ahead of when it’s due means getting more sleep at night.” –Briana Reidy ’26
Finding Your Path
“Visit the Career Development team early and often! The staff and student ambassadors are so helpful with major exploration and preparation for life after Stonehill.” –Brittany Lorgeree, Campus Minister for Community Engagement
“Remember that many students come in undeclared or switch their majors by the end of sophomore year. Your advisors will work with you to ensure you graduate on time and with enough credits, even if it requires taking summer or winter session courses.” – Nicoletta Petroulas ’25
“Accept change, confusion and new experiences. It’s completely normal to not be quite sure what you want to do. My best recommendation is to say ‘yes’ to classes or experiences outside your major. They can be quite eye-opening.” –Michael Sheehan ’25
“Meet with your advisors but also with other professors. Every professor is different and can offer unique advice, so don’t be afraid to reach out to them.” – Anna Varholak ’26
Creating Community
“Hang out in common spaces. You will always run into someone there and can build a community around you. Make cookies in your common kitchen. The smell of baked goods usually gets people’s attention.” –Paige Bettencourt ’26
“Try anything and everything that you are interested in. You don’t have to stick with it if it doesn’t work for you, but you might be surprised at the people you meet and the community you build. Be yourself, and you will find others who love you for who you are in due time. Trust the process and put yourself out there.” –Katherine Kish ’26
“Be your most authentic self but also push yourself outside your comfort zone by joining clubs, finding work, taking new classes, and meeting new people. It’s critical not to let fear of failure or rejection steer you away from experiencing new things.” –Holly Putnam ’26
“Talk to everyone! Upper class students are not as scary as you think. People are very friendly here. Your first year is the best time to make friends!” –Kayla Salvatore ’26
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