As senior students stepped on campus for their last first day of school, many pondered about how time slipped through their fingers. Just three short years ago, virtual orientation was underway and friendships were sparked in Zoom chats. Senior creative writing and communication studies double major Kari Lien wishes someone would have told them how fast the time goes by.

In the early stages of Pantherhood, there are plenty of things we wish we knew as freshmen acclimating to the new environment. This week, The Panther sat down with four seniors to ask what pieces of advice they would offer to freshmen in the class of 2027 based on developing a social life, succeeding in the classroom, tackling homework, living with roommates, residing in Orange and maintaining good mental health.

Developing a New Social Life

For senior screenwriting major Noelle Gross, the answer to developing a new social life lies in a piece of simple advice: go to everything and anything.

“Even if it’s something that sounds lame or might not exactly be in your wheelhouse, go try it,” Gross said. “You never know who you’re gonna meet or what you’re gonna run into out there.”

Guidance on maximizing your network and opening yourself up to new experiences wasn’t lost on other seniors. Demitri Aguilar, a senior business administration major, also told The Panther about the importance of being open to one’s new college environment.

“I would just encourage people to really just step outside of their comfort zone and try as many things as they possibly can,” Aguilar said. “Ask questions, be curious and usually, that’s a recipe for success.” 

Succeeding in the Classroom

Senior screenwriting major Jackson Spiner told The Panther that the biggest adjustment in the classroom was the relationship between teachers and students. Spiner said college classroom settings are based more on the students’ maturity and accountability rather than the constant reminders issued by high school instructors. 

“I always really like having a good relationship with my professors,” Spiner said. “Don’t be afraid of the teacher, and don’t be afraid of the other students in the class.” 

Gross echoed Spiner’s testament and told The Panther that students should take the time to pick their instructor’s brains. 

“One of the greatest resources you ever have and one of the reasons you’re paying this much money to be here is not so much to sit in a classroom, but to be able to talk to the people who have done this before and get their advice and what they did,” Gross said. “It’s not a weird or inappropriate question to ask: ‘What did you do to get to where you are?’ Because that’s why they’re there; it’s because they want to share.” 

Tackling Homework and Stressful Assignments

The interviewed seniors advised the importance of working on stressful assignments with classmates because a collaborative process results in productivity. 

“Setting up study groups can really help,” Lien said. “Working around people that are being productive, I’m like, ‘Well, I’ll be productive too!’ That’s also a nice way to make friends within your classes.” 

Living with Roommates

Aguilar told The Panther about his perspective on the relationships between roommates and the importance of conveying to each other one’s needs, schedules and living policies.

“The biggest issues that I saw (with roommate relationships) was a lack of communication,” he said. “Just make sure that you have an open line of communication with your roommates and you set boundaries. You want to make time to talk about (individual needs), and if your needs change, that’s okay. You just have to make them known.” 

Residing in Orange

It’s no secret that Chapman University is nestled within the beauty and expansiveness of Orange County. Outside of activities one can experience on campus, the seniors mentioned some of their favorite activities, including going to movies and taking day trips to areas outside of Orange. 

“Make a list with either yourself, your roommate, your friends – whoever you want to do it with – and say: ‘These are things that I’ve heard are cool around here, and we’re only going to live here (for) so long, so why don’t we make a college bucket list of what we want to get done,’” Gross said.

Maintaining Good Mental Health

Echoing a piece of advice that many freshmen have already heard, Spiner shared a point of guidance regarding managing one’s anxieties. 

“Don’t be afraid to express those (anxious) feelings, whether it’s to your friends, to your roommates or to a faculty member,” Spiner said. “...I think it’s really important to remember that freshman year especially is such a transition time, and change can cause so much anxiety, but the change won’t last forever and neither will that anxiety.” 

The beginning of one’s first semester at Chapman may seem stressful, but given time, one’s routines and friendships will surely develop. Students who are overwhelmed or may need additional help navigating their new start can visit Chapman’s list of Mental Health Sources.