As I am now entering my fourth and final year at Stevens, I am filled with so many different emotions. Through my panicking for my final year, excitement to see friends again, and eagerness to learn new things, I wanted to take a step back and really be able to record my final year and share with others all of my tips and tricks I’ve found along the way for being successful as a student at Stevens.
If you’re a first time reader, hi! I’m Zoe. I am a 4/4 Pure and Applied Mathematics major with minors in Computer Science and Economics. Outside of The Stute, I am involved in Stevens Choir, am a Peer Leader, a member of Greek Life, and too much more. I started writing this column in Fall 2021 as a way to share my tips and tricks about college living and academics (All tips and tricks have been found by first going through multiple rounds of failure). I hope you’ll have a fun time reading and laughing along with me about my trials and tribulations and all of the things I’ve since learned throughout my journey at Stevens.
The beginning of the Fall semester is always full of equal amounts of fear and excitement (or at least it is for me). There are always many opportunities to meet new people and make connections both in classes or by trying out a new club or activity. Especially if it seems scary for you, I implore you to try to put yourself out there this year and expand your network. One of the pieces of advice that my Peer Leader told me which I pass on at any opportunity that I have is to put your name down on email lists for any of the clubs at Stevens that you even have the slightest bit of interest in. This is the easiest way to get to know like-minded people and as the semester goes on, you can narrow down what you are truly passionate about.
While making connections and having fun is a large part of your experience of Stevens, it is also important to prepare yourself for a year of rigorous academics as well. Some easy ways to do this is to make connections with other students in your class so you can form a study group and support each other throughout the semester (plus you make some more friends—bonus!). Getting to go over the material with others will benefit both yours and their understanding of the content. And if you need extra support, make sure to take advantage of campus resources such as office hours and tutoring! When you focus on your goals, you can promote academic success for the semester.
