15 Tips for surviving WOW Week At marshall University | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

15 Tips for surviving WOW Week At marshall University

Yes, you're going to walk all the way downtown in the middle of the road. No, that is not the parade they're talking about.

363
15 Tips for surviving WOW Week At marshall University

Whenever I started my freshman year at Marshall, I was blown away by all of the events that happened during both orientation and week of welcome (otherwise known as WOW week). I met my roommate, moved in, started UNI, went through days and days of session, crammed around the John Marshall statue, and walked halfway downtown in the middle of the road even though that wasn't even the parade.Just understand this - it is intense. Even through all the lack of air conditioning, I am still able to pass along some insight.

1. Take orientation as seriously as you possibly can.

Pay attention during orientation!

www.thebluediamondgallery.com

Even with prior college experience, your college orientation is mandatory for a lot of good reasons. Make sure to listen and get your I.D. Also, take some time to meet your fellow classmates.

2. UNI is your best friend.

Happily helping a student learn and introducing them to school

upload.wikimedia.org

Being a Marshall student, I was required to take a basic yet essential one credit hour course known as Freshman First Class. It lasts for half the semester, but it will prepare you for collegiate independence. Most importantly, I learned that the 8 a.m. is an artform.

3. Test your social skills to the maximum.

Socializing with a lot of new people is key

upload.wikimedia.org

During week of welcome, you will be surrounded by literally tons of people. As an introverted person, that was probably the biggest shock for me. However, the main thing that I learned during WOW week was that people really aren't all that bad overall, especially when they are in the same situation as yourself.

4. Make friends, but do not set expectations too high.

Making lots of casual friends

upload.wikimedia.org

Evidently you will meet a lot of people during WOW week, and hopefully you will start plenty of conversations and exchange a few phone numbers. As great and important as it is to socialize and meet new people, I do not recommend setting high hopes for every single one of them becoming your best friend. Everybody is different and we all have diverse backgrounds and personalities, so if you do happen to exchange phone numbers with somebody new (or several new people), take time to get to know them, and do not be discouraged if one of them starts to shun you.

5. Having the events schedule helps a lot.

All of the events are scheduled for a reason - to coordinate and familiarize you with college.

c1.staticflickr.com

When you move in during the designated early move in day during WOW week, you will likely receive a schedule with a bunch of events that occur every day throughout the rest of the week. Don't lose that thing or you will be so lost.

6. Having a roommate is definitely a bonus

Roommates usually make for a happier experience

upload.wikimedia.org

Even if you are not a people person like myself, having a roommate is definitely a unique and overall nice experience, especially when moving into the dorm and meeting them for the first time. Roommates are built in friends that will go through the awkwardness with you.

7. Take advantage of as many campus activities as possible.

Friendly people are to be found all over the place at campus events

upload.wikimedia.org

During my WOW week, I attended a Cru event. Since then, I still regularly attend. I found my niche by looking for a place to be. Use campus activities as a way to get involved without the pressures of grades.

8. Interact with people in your dorm.

Guys having fun just like they should

upload.wikimedia.org

As somebody who had been to college prior to deciding to officially attend it full time, I already knew people who lived on campus thanks to the wonderful autism support program that Marshall University is well known for. The program was definitely my best bet for meeting new people who I had a lot in common with, and it helped that we all lived in the same dorm building during the summer. Those events your RA arranges really do matter.

9. Get to know your RA really well.

The RA is meant to be there for you, even when they are not physically there

i.pinimg.com

Your Resident Advisor is your best bet for gaining all of the necessary knowledge for your new home. Normally, I do not rely too much on mine, but during WOW week, I was asking all kinds of questions. Your RA is willing and excited to help you.

10. Understand that it is an insane week, but it is well worth it.

In the end, it's all worth it

videoapp-assets-ak.buzzfeed.com

At first college may come across as a big shock, but I learned that it actually was not all that bad. WOW week is designed to keep you from getting homesick while making sure you can navigate your new independence. Embrace it.

11. Remind yourself that the semester is much smoother.

The semester provides a lot more time and freedom

cdn-images-1.medium.com

WOW week might come across as crazy and it might lead you to think "Wow, is college really this busy?!" Well, college will keep you busy, but in vastly different ways. Stay calm - this is just an introduction to a new chapter.

12. Even if you would rather nap or get away from the change, just attend the scheduled events.

Stay awake during WOW week...you never know what you'll miss!

berkeleysciencereview.com

Yes, they might seem lame and unnecessary, but you never know what lessons might be thrown into one of them or if they might have a little treat to improve your mood. Also, you have the whole semester ahead of you to nap, so use up the extra energy that you have before the semester.

13. Every other freshman feels the same way that you do.

We all grow together!

www.occupy.com

A lot of incoming college freshmen have never lived on campus or taken a college course prior to WOW week, so you can imagine how they must feel. WOW is meant to make you feel comfortable, so embrace the change together.

14. Set a consistent schedule for yourself.

Time management is important no matter what week it is!

cdn.lifehack.org

Of course, it is good to have a consistent schedule set for yourself throughout the whole semester, but with the help of the event schedule. Designate times to do things for yourself or times to meet with friends.

15. Use WOW as a chance to branch out.

College life is the best!

i2.wp.com

Last but not least, think of WOW week as a week for you to prepare for classes and branch out of your comfort zone. College is a great time - although the primary purpose is for you to take classes and get a degree for a job, there are endless possibilities and endless people to interact with.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

428
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

264
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

199193
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

20263
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments