Isabelle Arnold, a senior at CUAA, shares her 5 tips for incoming college freshmen.


As a senior in college, I definitely understand all of the change that goes into becoming a college freshman. Going away to college can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be! College comes with a lot of new experiences, friends, opportunities, and more! Below are five tips to make sure you have the best college experience!

Find your favorite place to study

There are so many fun places on campus that are great if you want to do homework or study. Some of my favorite places are the Nest, the library, or the Kreft student lounge. The Nest is a great place to study if you want a nice view or to grab some food. The library is always a classic place to study, and the basement was recently remodeled. The Kreft student lounge has great seating options and a nice view of central campus.

Register for classes early

Classes fill up quick, so it is important to register for classes as soon as you can. Be sure to meet with your academic advisor to make sure your classes are taken when they need to be. This helps to avoid problems down the road and ensures you will graduate on time. Summer classes are also a great option!

Go to class

Trust me, I know it’s hard to get up for your 8 a.m., but it will be so worth it in the long run. Missing class means you miss out on a lot of valuable information. Going to class allows you to get to know your fellow classmates and talk with professors. CUAA professors are very well-loved among students, and you don’t want to miss out on getting to know them. When you have to miss class, be sure to email your professors to let them know.

Do your laundry on weekdays

Finding time to do laundry can be difficult, and spots fill up quicker than you think. I have found that doing your laundry during the week gives you a better chance of open washers and dryers. Some dorms have laundry rooms inside them, such as Barnabas, Rebekah, John Mark, and Esther to name a few.

Take advantage of every opportunity

CUAA offers so many opportunities for anything you can think of. We have study-abroad trips, on-campus jobs, clubs, organizations, ministry opportunities, intramural sports, and many more! There are weekly student events on campus that are free and super fun! Some of my past favorite events have been Easter Egg Painting, Karaoke, and Springpalooza.


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This story is written by Isabelle Arnold, Social Media Assistant for Concordia University Ann Arbor. Isabelle Arnold is a senior and will graduate from CUAA in December 2024 with a degree in Digital Media Design. You can reach her at isabelle.arnold@student.cuaa.edu.