Get involved: How to make GCSU home away from home

Walking into a new life, armed only with plastic containers of neatly packed possessions, new students face the challenge of turning GCSU into a home away from home. When freshmen flood the residence halls, they are given a bed, shelf, desk, dresser and chair. But, turning a new college into a home involves more than furniture or dorm decorations.

Students of every year face this challenge and students at GCSU differ in their opinions of how to adjust to life on campus. Some students believe living in residence halls as freshmen ultimately benefits them.

“Living in a residence hall is, in my opinion, incredibly important for freshmen,” sophomore Ellie Ebert said. “Sure, it sucks not having a kitchen, but I think that I wouldn’t have survived my first year in college without the help of my roommate and friends I made in Parkhurst (Hall) and Foundation (Hall).”

Many students find comfort in the social experience of group housing.

“(Residence halls) create so many social and academic connections that will last the rest of your time in campus,” sophomore Josh Davis said.

Though many opportunities to meet people happen in the residence halls, GCSU provides many clubs and organizations to join that will help new students start their new lives at GCSU.

“Get involved,” sophomore Ryan Nichols said. “I enjoyed meeting a lot of people and starting lifelong friendships.”
From going Greek to joining Venture Out, there are many opportunities for students to meet, greet and join a group of people that share their passions.

For those interested in community service, the G.I.V.E. Center helps students help others by providing valuable programs that benefit the Milledgeville community.

The Student Activities Center, located just under Magnolia Ballroom, offers information about clubs and activities that provide a positive way for students to adjust to life on campus. While looking up organizations, the center offers video games, board games, pool and massage chairs for students to enjoy.

Some students also highlighted the importance of staying active and healthy while at GCSU. The student gym on campus, called the Wellness Depot due to its location in an old train station, offers a wide variety of exercise equipment and personal trainers.

“A few of the guys on my hall would go with me to work out at the Depot three or four days a week,” Davis said. “We would also get together and play Ultimate Frisbee or football, or go swimming to stay active.”

Nichols also encourages other students to use the gym and be active by playing intramural sports like soccer, softball and Ultimate Frisbee. Intramural teams are generally organized by residence hall, sorority or fraternity and the sports offered change with the seasons.

Students interested in playing can ask their residential adviser or hall director to start or join a team.

“Get to know your R.A.,” Nichols said. “And be open to meeting new people.”

So whether going Greek, joining a club or just relaxing in a residence hall, there are opportunities for new students to make GCSU and Milledgeville a home away from home.

“Get out and find stuff to do and meet as many people as possible,” Davis said. “Many of the people you meet in the first week will become friends in the future.”

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Aug 7 2009. Filed under Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry