Dear First Year Student,

Welcome to UVM! I’m SO excited for you to start your college journey! Being in a new place with new people can feel a little overwhelming, no matter who you are. But don’t worry, you’ve got this! I just want to share some college tips, especially academics, that I wish someone had told me when I started.

As you jump into your courses here at UVM, you’ll probably notice that the classes are big, and your professors might not go out of their way to get to know you. This is likely different from what you experienced in high school, but here's the thing: just because they’re not always able to connect with every student doesn’t mean they don’t want to! So, here’s a little pro tip: Make it a point to approach your professor and introduce yourself. Building a relationship with your professors can boost your confidence in the class, and they’ll appreciate you taking the initiative!

Another game-changer? Study groups! They can be super helpful when you’re tackling tough material. You can either create your own by meeting people in class or use the study buddy feature on Navigate to connect with other students in your classes who are looking to study together. It's a great way to make new friends and learn from each other! (Study groups saved me in chemistry, and I met my best friends through them!)

Now, here’s one of my favorite strategies: reviewing lecture material before and after class (yes, I’m serious!). I’m not saying you need to spend hours every day going over lecture slides—just a quick preview before class will help the material make way more sense when you hear it again. Then, a brief review before bed will reinforce what you learned and help your brain retain it. Trust me, it’s a total game-changer!

Finally, I want to emphasize something that’s super important: college is not just about academics, it’s about growing as a person, too! The first year was all about figuring out how to balance schoolwork, meeting new friends, exploring the campus, and—yes—relaxing! It can be tricky at first, but I learned that the most important thing is to make sure you’re happy. If you’re spending all your time studying and feeling burnt out, that’s a sign you need to find a better balance. So, take a deep breath, make time for fun, and don’t forget to take care of yourself.

You’ve got this! Welcome to UVM, and let’s make this year AWESOME!!! 

Sincerely,

Penny Haydar (Class of 2026)