New Kid on the Block

Upperclassman at Liberty University give their advice to the newest freshman class. (Originally published by The Liberty Champion)

Sarah Stephen, a current junior at Liberty University, flew from her home in Dubai to Liberty’s campus in 2016, nervous about tough classes and strict professors.

Along with academics, Stephen was worried about making friends, having a new start and living independently for the first time.

Freshmen may feel a little lost at the beginning of college, but Sarah Eckels, a Resident Assistant, knows it’s possible to thrive in college by managing time, taking advantage of available resources and not stressing about the details.

“Time management is one of the most important things you can learn at college,” Eckels said. “It is a discipline and it truly does help.”

With all the events and opportunities on Liberty University’s campus, Stephen and Eckels agree that prioritizing is important.

“At first, everything seems attractive,” Stephen said. “Eventually you learn what you should say ‘no’ to.”

For Stephen, it was a matter of realizing that she had to be in charge of her time that gave her the confidence to say ‘no’ to activities that weren’t a priority. Eckels claimed she spread herself too thin by committing to too many things.

“You have to let go of the fear of missing out and just take care of yourself,” Eckels said. “I got sick probably 10 times last year because I didn’t take care of myself.”

According to Eckels, when time management skills are practiced, freshmen have more time to fully experience the many resources available on campus.

Stephen encouraged freshmen to explore the amazing opportunities provided by departments such as the Office of Spiritual Development and LU Serve.

According to Eckels, resources like Snowflex, exercise classes at the Recreation Center and Camp Hydaway aren’t used enough by freshman. She added that freshman year is when schedules are easiest, so it’s important to take advantage of the opportunity.

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According to Eckels, leaving your comfort zone and branching out can be difficult, but Liberty is the best place to do it.

“Liberty is the least embarrassing place because people just help you out,” Eckels said.

When she fell in the Reber-Thomas Dining Hall freshman year, dropping all her plates, she just laughed it off. Stephen claims that clumsy moments happen to everybody, but they will soon be forgotten.

“People actually don’t care—they are busy, they have lives,” Stephen said.

Eckels understands that loneliness is real at the beginning of the year, but real friendships must happen naturally and they take time to form. But Eckels pointed out that freshmen shouldn’t feel the need to socialize all the time.

“It’s okay to spend some time by yourself,” Eckels said.

Stephen also found it was harder to make friends than expected.

“I thought I would have a lot of friends, but it didn’t start out that way, which is fine,” Stephen said.

Looking back, Stephen wishes she took more advantage of hall events and campus activities, because that’s where friends are made. Eckels also agrees that being active on campus helps with building friendships.

Eckels also claimed that every interest or passion is represented by a club on campus, and getting involved in these clubs is a great way for freshmen to get connected and make friends.

“The great thing about Liberty is they have everything you’re looking for,” Eckels said.

When Stephen first stepped on Liberty’s campus, she discovered that her expectations of college were all wrong, and she learned that pressing in to God was the best way to survive the storms of college life.

“Because you’re on your own, you finally understand how much you can take, how much you can do yourself,” Stephen said.

Through the adventures of college life, Stephen said she is still figuring out how to balance everything. But trusting God and not stressing about little things has helped her along the way.

“Eventually you graduate—it’s going to be fine,” Stephen said.

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