Halfway through September, one begins to notice the subtle changes at the onset of a new season: the slight chill in the air, the disappearance of shorts and summer dresses, the green of the leaves slowly fading into hues of red, gold, and brown. Or maybe, like most students balancing work, school, and a million other things, the only thing you’ve noticed is that suddenly, there’s no time to stop and notice much of anything. For all of the wonderful things which fall brings along with it, so does it usher in the renewed stress of beginning yet another year of work and classes; however, the coming of a new year shouldn’t also mean the coming of a nervous breakdown. Focusing on a few key factors can help make your semester as smooth and productive as possible:
Stay connected – keeping in touch with your parents back home not only means that you’ll have an extra support system behind you, but it can also help you adjust to living in a new city.
Stay informed – building relationships with professors keeps you ahead of the curve on class discussions, exams, and future assignments.
Stay away from conflict – creating a safe, relaxing environment at home will help reduce stress and increase productivity.
Communicating with Parents: Ok, so you’ve left the nest, and now you’re living it up in the big city. But no matter how grown up you may feel stomping the pavement of Manhattan, in Mom’s eyes you’re always going to be that little kid on the first day of school, and Dad still wants to know that you’re tucked in safe every night before he goes to sleep. While the life your parents imagine for you may not match the one your living, keep in mind that although being independent means not calling Mom and Dad every time a problem arises, it doesn’t mean that you should stop calling them altogether. Check in to say hi, to talk about your classes or what you did this afternoon; it may not sound all that exciting to you, but your parents will be glad to hear from you and relieved to know your surviving the “mean” streets of New York. Plus, when you make that inevitable phone call asking for money, your parents will be happy to know that’s not the only thing you call them for.
Communicating with Professors: Don’t be afraid to talk to your professors! Meeting with professors shows them that you take your work seriously, not to mention the fact that building a professional relationship with your professor can help you to become more comfortable in class, and ultimately get more out of it. Try talking to your professor before or after class – just because class has ended doesn’t mean the conversation has to. Chat with your professor during office hours (that’s what they are there for!) or schedule a time to meet if the issue you want to discuss is more urgent. If your professor doesn’t have an office on campus, try meeting in a common space (i.e. Lang Café, an empty classroom, or even a local coffee shop).
Remember to be polite, professional, and punctual. Your professors are available to help you, and generally very happy to do so, but you must remember that they are taking time out of their schedules to meet with you. Always show them the same courtesy by arriving on-time to your appointments and coming prepared with specific questions, concerns, etc.
For more info, contact your school’s advising office – there, you can get all of your academic questions answered, as well as receive more information on how to contact faculty members. (Contact info for all schools available at www.NewSchool.edu).
Roommates: Alright, so you called your mom, met with your professors, and now you’re ready to go home and relax. But what happens when rowdy roommates turn your haven into what seems like a living hell? Roommate conflicts, while not uncommon, can be rather tricky to deal with. If roommate issues should arise, remember these tips in order to avoid further agitation and to achieve a quick resolution.
First, talk to your roommate. Before taking the problem to anyone else, confront your roommate directly – if you’ve never brought it to his/her attention, there’s a good chance your roommate has no idea that a problem even exists. Remember to be polite and to approach your roommate as if you are initiating a conversation, not instigating an argument. Explain what’s been bothering you (be as specific as possible), and try to work out a solution. If this approach doesn’t work, or if your roommate acquiesces only to slip back into old habits a week later, contact your RA for possible mediation; sometimes just having an outside, objective voice can help you and your roommate to see things more clearly and to arrive at a solution that satisfies both of you. Keep in mind that the most important thing to remember when dealing with roommates is compromise – if you are not willing to bend a little, it isn’t fair to expect your roommate to, either.
For additional information, you may contact the following offices:
Student Housing and Residence Life
79 Fifth Ave, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10003
212.229.5459
Student Rights and Responsibilities:
Gene Puno-De Leon, Director
79 Fifth Avenue, 5th floor
New York, NY 10003
212.229.5349 x3653
punog@newschool.edu
Ombuds
212.229.8996
DavenpoK@newschool.edu
Or check out last month’s post on roommate conflicts here at AtHome@TheNewSchool.
Written by: Spike Schwab
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