What campus resources can incoming students expect, and how can they find them?

College is an exciting journey filled with both challenges and opportunities. It allows us to grow in many ways, both personally and academically. As students, we balance our coursework, activities, and thoughts about life after graduation. Luckily, colleges offer a variety of resources to help us succeed! This post explores campus resources—including academic advising, tutoring, and career programs—that have helped us along the way.

Whether you're a first-year student finding your footing or a senior preparing to launch into the professional world, uncover the hidden gems that can enhance your academic journey and enrich your college life. Let's dive in and discover how to make the most of what your college has to offer!

Academic

Like many students, I have struggled in classes before. From the first comp class you must take to the 4000-level engineering course with its soul-crushing homework, your school has resources to support your studies. Using your college's tutoring center does not mean you are less smart than your peers. It helps you master class material and gain insights from experienced educators and students.

Many colleges offer online or in-person tutoring that is subject-specific. These centers may host events. They teach about the differences between documentation styles and their correct use. These skills are invaluable for your academic writing. Before your final paper, consult a writing tutor or your school's writing center. It will boost your chances of success. It's beneficial even if you are confident in your writing. Tutors can ensure your paper is free of grammar errors and unintentional plagiarism. 

If you feel tutoring isn’t necessary for you — even though everybody should be using this amazing resource provided at zero cost — there are also social benefits to going to your local tutoring center. There, you can meet other students to form study groups. Depending on the school, you can also rent study rooms for a few hours. These are quiet, focused places to study with friends and classmates. If you prefer to study alone, many colleges have quiet study rooms.

College doesn’t have to be an insurmountable task that you have to face all by yourself. Resources are available to help you stay on track and make the most of your time in college. And you’re already paying for them in your tuition and fees! So, before your next calculus test or final paper, remember the tutoring center. It has a community of people ready to help you. 

Mentorship

One of the greatest tips I’ve received from a professor in my freshman life sciences class is to look for mentors. As a freshman, you most likely won’t be doing groundbreaking research or winning a Nobel Prize. What can advance or delay your career is often the people you are working under and for. Networking isn’t only for finance majors or C-suite executives. It can help you find labs to join, enjoy your studies, and make lasting friendships (since this is the "time of our lives").

Going into college, you can connect with upperclassmen, graduate students, or other people who are ahead of you. They might be peer advisors, academic advisors, dorm resident assistants, pre-med advisors, or chaplains. They might meet with you monthly, weekly, semesterly for a year or two, or once. Every coffee chat, email, and meet-up has the potential to help you learn something about a field, a topic, or a class. It’s valuable to build lasting relationships with those who will get to know you and support you throughout your college journey. Student organizations, especially pre-professional ones, might pair you with upperclassmen or working professionals, too.

Besides academic mentors, your financial aid office or first-generation/low-income (FGLI) organizations can also help guide you. They may offer mentorship, job newsletters, dinners, and socials. These go beyond typical career resources. Likewise, chaplains, regardless of your religious background, can be a worthwhile resource!

College, as we have heard, has a diverse mix of people. They have different interests and backgrounds. If ever there’s a time to learn and listen, it's now!

Explore opportunities beyond the classroom

One of the hardest parts of college is leaving high school. It can mean leaving your home and loved ones for a dorm and a new community. What does that look like in a different country? Studying abroad can be the next step. It lets you travel, see new sights, and learn new cultures while earning academic credit. Many universities offer study-abroad programs of various lengths. They range from a week to a year and include anything in between. Many programs may be concentration-based. For example, there may be trips to Spain or France for students learning Spanish or French, respectively. Who knows, there might be a program that covers common requirements or lets you choose classes that fulfill your major, minor, and even electives! Be sure to talk to the study abroad office, your advisor, and students who have studied abroad in the past.

Career Education Resources

One resource that often goes underutilized in colleges is Career Services. Many universities have set up career offices. They aim to help students achieve their professional goals on their own terms. Some schools have specialized career centers. They target students seeking careers in medicine, business, and other fields. 

Many colleges offer valuable career services to students. So, if you don't know whether your school has a career center, check for it.

Students don't use their college career center for several reasons. For one, they might not know about the career services on campus. Some students might not feel "ready" to visit a career center. This is especially true for those just starting to explore career paths. It is never too early to introduce yourself to these offices and start building your resume.

I've found that students should use their career center at any stage. It doesn't matter if they don't know what to "do" yet, have several internships, or plan to go to grad school. Your career office likely has resources to support you at every step of your career journey.

Some typical resources at a career center include:

• resume writing assistance
• cover letter workshops
• mock interviews
• coffee chat opportunities with alumni
• networking events
• company site visits and spotlight sessions
• career fairs
• and much more

Using your school's career services is one of the best ways to make the most of your time in college. It can help you turn your degree into real-world professional opportunities. Get out there and equip yourself with the tools you need on your road to success!

Thank you to our Student Advisory Committee members

Toluwanimi Ajani
Berkeley Achievement Scholar in the Stern School of Business at New York University

Hannah Lee
Student at Harvard College

Micah Sandy
Student at Northwestern University

Angel Velez
Student at Valencia College.