Navigating Campus Resources: A Guide for New College Students

Research from 2020 shows that 43% of students enrolled in 4-year institutions. And 20% of high school students enrolled in 2-year institutions.

If you are a high schooler heading off to college, you need campus resources. These will help you to navigate the campus and get into the swing of things.

Student support is vital to having a good college experience. This also helps you to succeed as a new student and achieve your college goals.

Keep reading to find out what campus resources you have available.

College Library

Are you wondering what are campus resources? One of these resources is a campus library.

All college campuses are going to have a library for students to reference. This is the perfect place to get the books you need or find a quiet place to study.

The library is one of the first stops a new student should make when they get to college. As a college student, you will most likely need this information for your classes.

The library is also a great place to go if you need some peace and quiet. The atmosphere is perfect for studying or sitting back to enjoy a book after a long day.

A college library can also be a great place to meet people in a roundabout way. You may see your classmates here, or you may be able to join a study group.

Talk to the Professors

Campus resources that many college students forget about are their professors. Professors can provide student support if you feel like you need help.

In general, it is a good idea to introduce yourself to all of your professors. This will put your best foot forward and will allow you to understand who they are.

If you know your professors better, you will understand what they are wanting from you. This can help you later on with your projects and assignments.

They will also be one of your many academic resources. If you do not understand something, you could always schedule a meeting with one of your professors.

Or if you are falling behind, you could ask them for help balancing your workload. Professors are busy, but they are always happy to help a student who reaches out.

This is much better than skipping class or falling behind without telling anyone.

Get College Maps

One of the campus resources you have is college maps. You most likely received these maps when you got to your dorm.

Some campuses also have Maps located around the campus for new students. Part of navigating college includes the more functional aspects, such as getting around.

Campuses can be very large and intimidating for new students. You may not have a very good sense of direction, or your classes may be far apart from each other.

These are all things that can contribute to you having a hard time getting around. It is also hard as a new student since you don’t know anyone who could help you.

You should familiarize yourself with these maps to get a better understanding. You could even pick a day to walk around to find the best paths to the buildings you need to get to.

This will help to reduce some of your stress and give you more confidence. Keep in mind that asking for directions is nothing to be ashamed of.

This is a great way to introduce yourself to new people and put yourself out there.

Join Clubs

Navigating college can be particularly difficult for a new college student. It can be very intimidating since this is an entirely new environment.

The most important thing students should focus on is meeting people. If you are able to meet people and form relationships, you will have peer-to-peer help.

It is ideal if you are able to meet older students who have spent a few years at college. They will have the experience to help you with things that you may not understand.

They will also be able to give you the lowdown on how to get to where you need to go. College campuses have a wide variety of clubs available for students.

These clubs are focused on a variety of topics depending on your personal interests. Some clubs are for those who enjoy fitness or those who enjoy different hobbies.

Some clubs are also focused on different religions or charity outreach. These are all great options if you want to meet an assortment of like-minded people.

College clubs are especially beneficial for new students with no friend groups. They will help to jumpstart your social life and give you extracurricular activities.

Academic Advisors

Possibly the most important of all the campus resources is your academic advisor. Every college student is going to have an academic advisor assigned to them.

This advisor will help you with all of your academic decisions. This includes day incisions like choosing your major and classes and having a goal for the degree you want.

They will also be available throughout your college experience. If you need help, you can always schedule an appointment with them to discuss what is bugging you.

For example, if you are studying journalism, they can help you find a writing center. They will be able to direct you in the direction you need to go so that you don’t waste time.

Tutoring

College campuses offer campus resources including tutoring. There are tutoring services where students can help other students with their work.

If you are new, this is something you should take advantage of. The college workload can be quite significant, especially compared to your other education.

The majority of college students struggle to maintain their grades with this amount of work. There is a way to find balance, but it takes time to get there.

Having a tutor on your side can provide a support system. They will be there to help you work through any complicated work that you don’t understand.

They can also help you to prioritize work so that you are more efficient. This will not only improve your grades but help you to submit all of your work on time.

Health Center Resources

Something you may not have thought about using is the college campus health center. Every campus is going to have at least one health center students can access.

This center usually offers on-site medical care for physical and mental issues. This includes counseling services if you are under a lot of pressure.

Some college students neglect to take care of themselves and physically suffer because of it. You may be feeling unwell and need to get checked out at the center.

The majority of students also suffer from increased anxiety or stress. This can be from the weight of trying to stay social as well as academic.

These are all things that a campus health center can help address. The physicians and psychologists can also write notes for you if you need to be excused from some work.

The Career Center

Another valuable option for campus resources includes the career center. A career center is something that you should check out during your first week of college.

This center will help you to focus on your major and explore career options. You will receive advice about what direction you should take and what your expectations should be.

This center can also help you to discover your strengths and talents. As well as identify your weak points and what you need to work on improving.

Resources for on and off-campus jobs are also available here. This is perfect if you are on a budget and need to earn a side income.

The people at the career center will also be able to help you find internships. These are all things that will help you in the future when you start your career.

Dining Halls

an important area for students to get familiar with is the dining hall. This is where you will be eating most of your meals if you are relying on college resources.

These dining services are available three times a day and provide nutritional meals. You will want to map the best route to your local dining hall when you arrive at the campus.

Depending on the size of the campus, there may be multiple dining halls or restaurants available. You may also have access to a meal plan that offers discounted prices.

It is important that you prioritize your health and your nutritional needs. It is easy to become overwhelmed with everything you have to do, but this needs to be at the top of your list.

This is also a great place to meet new people and introduce yourself as a new student.

Campus Resources for New College Students

If you are a new college student, you may feel overwhelmed right now. The good news is that there are plenty of campus resources to make this transition easier.

Are you interested in accessing more college resources? Contact us today at Honor Society for college information and resources.