Fresh-faced high school graduates, we entered college ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery. Counselors and parents assured us it would be the best four years of our lives. The things we'd learn! The people we'd meet! Brilliant new professors and ideas would cross our paths every day. Did it happen? Well, sort of.
With this semester drawing to a close, and some students entering their second semester while others go into their last, what have we learned? We all have a life lesson to share, from those of us who've been here less than a semester, to those of us who've already graduated. Most responses fall into the categories of time management, academics and extracurricular activities. The rest stand on their own, perhaps less educational, but undeniably honest.
Time Management
First-year Engineering student Selenge Turbat stared into the glowing screen of her laptop, stifling a yawn. Her desk was littered with apple juice, Coca Cola and cans of Red Bull.
"I've learned that ..." She stopped and reconsidered, glancing over the stacks of papers she had yet to read. "I've learned that I need to learn how to manage my time."
Selenge's problem is common. Some students cite Facebook and "Grey's Anatomy" as sources of their scheduling woes. For others, it's a defense mechanism: "If I procrastinate long enough, I can forget my homework ever existed."
Fourth-year College student Erin Wolff said it was especially difficult to overcome the temptations of television and music.
"I learned how to work more efficiently," Wolff said. "Find a place to work where there's nothing you can do but work."
For many undergraduates, college provides an opportunity to learn that an all-nighter may be more harmful to your grade than beneficial.
Arts & Sciences graduate student Jessica Silverman said the time management skills she developed during college are necessary for her success as a TA.
"At our meeting for TAs, they stressed the importance of sleep more than anything else," Silverman said.
Judging by the number of droopy eyes in Clemons Library at 3 a.m., many students have yet to learn this lesson.
Academics
College is a time for trying new things, making mistakes and learning from them. If only there wasn't that ever-present concern: the GPA.
"My experience of my college education was that I took classes and I learned what I wanted to learn -- I didn't judge it by my grades," said Assoc. College Dean Sandy Seidel, also a professor of biology. Do not "measure yourself by academic achievement. I didn't major in the courses I got A's in. I found what was interesting to me. Your major is not your job -- it's your skills and the broad knowledge you have."
Appealing as that may sound, it may be difficult to ignore grades in a community of overachievers.
"A really important thing is knowing your limit, because at a school where there's so many people who are taking a heavy course load and lots of extracurricular activities, a lot of people are competitive," second-year College student Peter Rios said. "It's easy to overwork yourself trying to be competitive with other people 'just because.' Find what works for you."
Second-year College student Christine Connors said she learned to think about schoolwork in a simple, straightforward manner.
"Don't stress about grades so much," Connors said.
Extracurricular
The Student Activities Center at Newcomb Hall lists over 550 organizations. There is a club for every interest, and plenty of opportunity to become proficient in new areas. The successful rugby and rowing teams welcome athletes without any prior experience. A student may find his niche immediately, or test his interests in a variety of clubs and teams of varying levels of competitiveness.
"The intramural sports program at U.Va. is a great way to meet new people and learn new skills," second-year College student Raeanne Tatem said. "My first year, I attempted both floor hockey and inner-tube water polo."
First-year College student Samantha Ayoub is learning to belly dance -- an activity that wasn't offered at her high school in Amsterdam.
"It is difficult, but it's fun," Ayoub said. "I've learned undulations and hip figure eights."
Though many students face the temptation to pad their résumé with impressive-sounding internships and volunteer work, they learn not to disregard their mental health. Being president of three clubs is nice, but an intramural soccer victory may feel better.
...And Everything In Between
Politics "Prof. Legro is great. He taught me that the powerful states do as they will and the weak states do as they must."
-- Second-year College student Ade Adeniji
"Be sure to investigate the housing situation. That is, do not live in Hereford."
-- First-year College student Kiara Gomez
"Drunk girls are not attractive. At all."
-- First-year Engineering student Robert Du
"If you put Mentos in a two-liter bottle of Coke, you get a nice little fountain."
-- Third-year College student Hieu Huynh
"I didn't know RAs could be such wonderful people."
-- First-year Engineering student Justin Cronin, as his RA looked on
"I've learned that noise complaint tickets from the police are not a joke."
-- First-year College student Douglas Barlow
"Today, I learned how to do a problem that's been on every homework assignment for the past three months."
-- First-year Engineering student Jen Christensen
"Keep to the blue. Stay out of the red."
-- First-year College student Derek Brameyer
Read More
The Market: The city’s best sandwich … in a gas station?
By Abby Snowdon | YesterdayThe Market offers a lot more than just gasoline and beef jerky — it is the type of place that turns an unsuspecting sandwich into a new lunchtime favorite
Queer Student Union showcases strength and spreads love
By Rosie Strickland | July 7, 2025This summer, QSU members say that the organization’s efforts to support the University’s Queer community extend far beyond the 30 days of June.
‘Don’t get too comfortable’: Words of wisdom for the incoming class
By Kate Johnson | July 4, 2025These fourth-year students offer their reflections on their first year at the University.
