Check out all the fun events at Hunt Union and in your residence hall. Download the Corq app. Sign up for clubs and intramural sports - you'll meet so many people that way. Volunteer or get a job on campus. And participate in special campus traditions, like Red Day, Pass Through the Pillars and Founders' Day.
Step outside of your comfort zone. Part of the beauty of going away to college is being able to build a life away from your family and the friends you grew up with. Embrace the opportunity to recreate yourself. The friendships you make in college can last the rest of your life!
Introduce yourself to your professors - it shows you care. Go to their office hours and build relationships with them. They're here to help you, and they want to see you succeed.
Get organized! With a more flexible schedule than you had in high school, it's important to learn how to budget your time. Save all of your class syllabi and write out what's due and when on a calendar so you can plan ahead. Don't leave assignments until the last minute - you'll only stress yourself out.
A cup of ramen or slice of cold cheese pizza every so often hits the spot, but be sure to use that dining plan of yours and remember to eat a vegetable or two. With that being said, don't use up your declining balance in the first semester! Save some of that for finals week - you'll need all the late-night fuel and coffee you can get!
You've probably heard this before, but it's very true: leave your door open during the day, and say 'hi' to others as you walk down the hallway. Everyone else is looking to make friends and meet new people, too!
If you're going to the dining hall, don't go by yourself - ask your neighbors if they're hungry and want to join you. Some of the best friendships are forged over food!
Don't forget about your family. This is an adjustment for them, too. A phone call or text message every once in a while will go a long way.
Check out the places that make the city of Oneonta special. Take the bus downtown, where you can walk around, shop and eat! There's a lot to do and explore.
One of the best things about college is that you can take chances and make mistakes. Sign up for a dance class, learn to cook in MyKitchen, or go for a hike at College Camp.
Go to your classes. Get there on time. Put your phone away. Take notes. Read your textbooks. Skip out on movie night every once in while in favor of a night at the library - it will be worth it in the long run.
Think about what you enjoy doing and see if there are any related classes you can take. It may just turn into your major and, someday, your career! Remember, if you do something you love, you'll never work a day in your life.
Don’t wait until you only have one pair of socks left to finally do your laundry. Learn to make at least one meal. Take breaks between classes for a nap or to decompress - you'll come back feeling refreshed and ready to go.
Find friends in your classes and in your major. You'll be able to work together, support each other, and remind each other when something big is due!
Oneonta is famous for its funky weather. One minute it's sunny and the next it's snowing. Invest in a good pair of rain boots, a warm coat and an umbrella so that you're prepared no matter what!
Get to know the library, visit the Student Learning Center, pick your adviser's brain and make an appointment with Academic Advisement, the Career Development Center, and the Health & Wellness Center. New Student Services is another wonderful resource. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
If there's one thing alumni agree upon, it's that these four years will go by extremely fast. College is an experience unlike any other, so cherish every moment and make the most of it.
Alumni who work at SUNY Oneonta had a few tips, as well...
© 2026 SUNY Oneonta
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