The First Year of College
Although each student handles the transition to college life differently, most students face certain common challenges, especially during the first year. The following timeline provides a general summary of freshman-year experiences.
September
- Saying goodbye to family, friends, and pets.
- Feeling excitement and/or fear of new experiences.
- Learning to live with someone new.
October
- Feeling homesickness; managing long-distance relationships.
- Figuring out class and time management.
- Settling into a schedule.
- Experiencing doubts about keeping up the pace.
November
- Coping with academic realities — midterms, papers.
- Developing friendships on campus.
- Selecting classes for next quarter.
- Going home for Thanksgiving — with different expectations of home.
December
- Enduring finals week, when all academic work is due, and there is no slack time.
- Dealing with questions about Christmas — making time for friends, family, gifts, traditions.
- Reuniting at home with family and friends; having time away from SPU friends.
- Enjoying time to sleep, and time to reflect on Autumn Quarter.
January
- Reuniting with SPU friends.
- Readjusting to SPU after Christmas Break.
- Participating in Homecoming Weekend (where families are welcome).
- Longing for sunshine. (“Will spring ever come?”)
February
- Celebrating Valentine’s Day.
- Registering for Spring Quarter.
- Coping with midwinter blues.
- Finding new ways to balance academics and social life.
March
- Pushing to get it all done.
- Taking finals and turning in papers on time.
- Planning for Spring Break.
April
- Starting a new quarter.
- Planning for next year. (“What major will I choose? Where will I live?”)
- “What will I do this summer?”
May
- Choosing classes for next year.
- Experiencing the beauty and wonder of springtime in Seattle.
June
- Preparing for the end-of-the-year transitions.
- Taking finals and turning in papers on time.
- Saying good-byes and returning home.
Transfer Students:
Welcome Home!
“What makes SPU what it is? The community. I attended another university for my first two quarters, but then transferred to SPU for Spring Quarter, and I felt so welcomed!
”
Jenny Kim
SPU Senior
Learn Some SPU Lingo
ASSP: Associated Students of Seattle Pacific (student government)
CIS: Computer and Information Systems: where to go with computer and network questions
Falcon: School mascot (The Falcon: student newspaper)
Gwinn:
Campus dining hall
Martin Square: Paved, open area in the center of campus
Tiffany Loop (“The Loop”): Circular driveway and grassy area with big, beautiful trees just outside the SUB