SEMO Survival Guide

Finding Balance!

You’ve probably heard it a hundred times by now: “This isn’t high school anymore.” Annoying as it may be, there’s truth to the cliché.

Transitioning from the structured routine of high school to the freedom of college life is tougher than it seems. In high school, your day is mapped out for you. In college, it’s up to you to create a schedule that works.

With all the newfound independence of college, it's easy to fall into a procrastination loop by getting caught up in extracurricular activities or forgetting something. Whether it is a physical planner or the app that comes with your phone, using a calendar will help keep your social and academic schedules organized. Senior Health Science major Lily Nunes uses her iPhone calendar app to keep herself organized between her academic and sorority obligations.

“Use a calendar. Don’t rely on remembering everything,” Nunes said.

While a calendar can help keep your obligations in check, balance is essential. Just because your classes are over for the day doesn’t mean your responsibilities end. There’s always homework, studying and other tasks to stay on top of if you want to succeed. Take your first semester to find a routine that fits your life.

Getting Rest!

Sleep might seem like a luxury in college, but it’s more important than you think. With no curfew or parents reminding you to go to bed, it’s easy to fall into bad sleep habits. But don’t underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep - it’s crucial for managing the demands of college life. Everyone needs a different amount of sleep to function well, so figure out what works for you and stick to it.

Senior respiratory therapy major Abby Calhoun finds that with her busy schedule she prefers to take her classes in the morning, so she has the rest of her day to study, work, or do something fun. However, she has also found that classes too early in the morning are hard for her to wake up for.

“Don’t sign up for classes you won’t wake up for,” Calhoun said.

If this is your first semester on campus, use it to find a sleep routine that works for you and your schedule. Try to find a good balance between the amount of sleep you get each night and your schedule.

Making Friends!

Moving to a new school, maybe a new town, and finding a new community can be intimidating. Like finding a balance, every new student should try to find a community they fit into. Finding new friends can be intimidating, but everyone is in the same boat. This is a new experience, and everyone is looking for their people. Put yourself out there and lean into the new experiences.

There are so many events and activities in the first few weeks of school specifically for welcoming new students and creating a community for them, including the Welcome Back Picnic and Convocation. As long as you are leaving your dorm, you will likely find friends, whether in classes, Greek life, or even those who live on the same floor.

Greek Life

Joining Greek life is one way to find a community. Sorority and Fraternity rush is about finding the perfect fit for every student in one of the many chapters at SEMO.

Fraternities hold events that potential new members can choose to go to for each chapter. Students have the opportunity to get to know the active brothers and find where they fit. Sororities take a more formal approach, using a system that allows potential new members to meet active sisters in every chapter over four nights.

Senior entrepreneurship major and Sigma Phi Epsilon brother Ethan Huegerich is excited to meet the new members of his own chapter, as well as those in other chapters.

“I am excited to meet our new members and the other guys we’re gonna see around,” Huegerich said.

Rush week for fraternities starts Aug 19, and sorority recruitment will start Aug.22. Students can register on the Interfraternity Council or Panhellenic Council websites.