#paceu

Moving away from home is a big milestone for college freshmen--and it’s exciting! Your first semester presents limitless possibilities, but the transition can be difficult. For most of you, this is your first time living in a shared space with a roommate. Living with someone you don’t know might seem scary, but here are five tips to help you avoid drama and maintain a peaceful coexistence with your roommate. 

1. Clean up after yourself.

This may be an obvious tip but it’s always the first rule everyone breaks. It’s understandable--the last thing you want to do after a long day is clean. However, a little mess can snowball and create big problems. Devote a couple of minutes each night (or an hour a week) to tidy up any lingering filth. Nobody wants to share a room with a messy person.

2. Communication is key.

Discuss all housing issues as they occur to work towards a common solution. Avoid having important conversations via email and text. Talk face to face to establish a close rapport. But, whatever you do, don’t leave your roommate passive aggressive notes. You’re better than that.  

3. Socialize with your roommate.

Things might be a little awkward at first but you should make efforts to be friendly. Invite your roommate out to dinner, check out a campus event, or go see a movie. You may have more in common than you think. Don’t be afraid to break the ice. In the end they may surprise you!   

4. Respect each other’s boundaries.

After a while you and your roommate will develop a high level of comfort with each other. Admittedly, this doesn’t mean you won’t eventually get on each other’s nerves. Be courteous and get courtesy in return. Don’t eat their leftovers, keep noise to a minimum if they’re studying or trying to sleep...a.k.a. be nice. Most importantly make sure to give each other space when needed.

5. Your roommate may not become your best friend.

Class of 2022, put your paws up! As you head to campus, keep in mind these five ways to help make your Orientation experience as worthwhile as possible, which will help ensure that you’ll be ready and raring to go come move in day.

1.       Come with an Open Mind

The next four years will be filled with exciting challenges, opportunities, and wonderfully bizarre situations. Get those positive vibes going by being open to everything that may come at you—the best way to make the most of your college experience is to embrace the weird, the wild, and the wacky.

2.     Uncertainty is A-OK

Did you know that fewer than 10% of first-year students feel they know a lot about their chosen major, and that 3 out of 4 students don’t know what profession they want to pursue? If you walked on campus knowing all of these answers, you wouldn’t need us!

Soak in everything you can from your Orientation Leaders, future academic advisors, career services staff, and every other staff and faculty member that will prove to be crucial to your future success story.

3.       Look Up!

With so many new faces and settings abound, it could be tempting to pull the 2018 version of the ostrich, and dig your head into that phone. Keep that chin up! The only thing standing between you and your future new best friend might be some genuine eye contact.

That said, we of course encourage fellow Setters to share all of the fun and fanfare of Orientation, using the hashtag #PaceBound.

4.       Follow the Yellow (and Blue) Brick Road

The Pace Path is a customized four year plan that is specifically designed for you to shine bright (like a diamond). No matter what your major might end up being, the Pace Path’s combination of strong academics, real-world experiences, experiential learning, and meaningful mentorships will anchor you as you grow and achieve during your four years at Pace.

Link arms with Dorothy, and get started down the Pace Path at Orientation!  

5.       Don’t Sweat It

Above all, you’re coming to Pace to learn, make memories, have an unforgettable four years, and be put in a position to be ready to rock the real world come 2022. Orientation is designed to help you get acclimated to Setter Life, and ensure you can’t wait to step back on campus come the end of August.

We welcome you to the Setter family with open arms, and look forward to seeing you sporting our famous blue and gold!

Fave Feminist Friday: Maybe Burke