You’ve just arrived on campus for your first year at Widener University. Everything is new and exciting, but also a little nerve-racking. Take a deep breath – you’ve got this! As an incoming freshman, you’ll want to make the most of your time and opportunities here. Get ready for some changes and adjustments at first, but know that soon Widener will start to feel like home. With a friendly community and lots of support, your first year can be full of growth, fun and new experiences if you stay open-minded. We’ve put together some insider tips to set you up for success as you start this new chapter. Let’s talk about how to get involved, manage your workload and make lifelong friends in this tight-knit campus. Stick with us to learn the ropes and make your first year at Widener one to remember.
An Overview of Widener University
Founded in 1821, Widener University is a private university located in Chester, Pennsylvania near Philadelphia. With an enrollment of more than 6,500 students across its campuses, Widener offers over 80 undergraduate majors and 60+ graduate programs.
As a first-year student at Widener, here are some key things to know:
Widener has three campuses—the Main Campus in Chester plus campuses in Exton and Harrisburg. Main Campus is home to the College of Arts and Sciences and most undergraduate programs.
There is a helpful New Student Orientation program before classes start to get you acquainted with campus. They’ll cover things like registering for classes, campus activities, and more.
General education requirements, often called “gen eds,” are courses outside your major that all students need to take. Make sure to work with your academic advisor to plan those out.
Widener has over 100 student organizations from academic groups to community service clubs to fit interests. It’s a great way to get involved on campus.
Support services like the Writing Center, Math Lab, and Career Center are free resources to help students succeed. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it!
Getting familiar with campus, making connections, and learning how to balance academic and social life are important first steps. Reach out to your RA, professors, or the Dean of Students office if any issues come up. With some planning and effort, you’ll do great at Widener!
Packing Tips for Your Dorm Room at Widener
Packing for your freshman year of college can be overwhelming. What should you bring? What will fit in your dorm room? We’ve got some handy tips to make packing for Widener University a little easier.
Stick with the basics. Focus on clothes, bedding, toiletries, school supplies, electronics, and small decor items. Furniture like futons and chairs are often provided. If bringing a TV, mini-fridges are a smart choice for tight spaces.
Utilize storage containers. Plastic bins, stacking drawers, and storage cubes can instantly add storage under your bed or on top of your wardrobe. Use them to organize clothes, supplies, and snacks.
Multitask your items. Look for furniture and organizers with extra storage built in, like a bed riser with shelves or a caddy that hangs inside your closet. A shower caddy keeps bathroom clutter contained.
Evaluate what’s allowed and essential. Check Widener’s housing site for specifics on permitted items. Must-haves are shower shoes, cleaning supplies, laundry essentials, desk lamps, power strips, and surge protectors.
Coordinate with your roommate. Discuss who’s bringing what to share, like a microwave, TV, rug, or fridge. Also talk about space expectations.
Pack light at first. Once settled in, you’ll have a better sense of available space and can arrange to have other items sent.
With a little savvy planning and creative use of vertical storage space, you can make your compact Widener dorm feel cozy and comfortable. Focus on the key items to start, and the rest will fall into place once classes begin. You’ve got this!
Getting Involved on Campus: Clubs and Activities at Widener
Getting involved outside of academics is one of the best decisions you can make during college. Widener has over 100 clubs and organizations across diverse interests like culture, recreation, academics, social issues and more. Joining a club is a fantastic way to pursue an interest or hobby, build your skills, expand your social circle and enhance your resume.
As a first year student, here are some tips for getting plugged into campus life at Widener:
Attend the Involvement Fair during Welcome Week to browse different RSOs (registered student organizations), meet members and sign up for email lists. This will help you discover opportunities and figure out what you may want to join.
Check ENGAGE and the campus calendar regularly for club events, meetings, outings and activities happening on campus. Sign up for email updates from RSOs you’re interested in.
Don’t spread yourself too thin by joining too many clubs at once. Pick 1-3 that align with your interests or major to start. You can always add or switch groups later on.
Look into WIDener Radio, The Widener Journal, cultural groups, community service clubs, club sports and academic honor societies. These are great resume boosters.
If you don’t find a club that fits what you’re looking for, talk to Student Affairs about starting a new organization on campus. This demonstrates leadership.
Getting involved on campus leads to new friendships, adventures, personal growth and fond memories that will stay with you long after graduation. Step outside your comfort zone and make the most of everything Widener has to offer!
Academic Resources to Help You Succeed
Navigating your first year of college can be challenging. Widener wants to see you thrive, so take advantage of these academic resources:
Academic Advising
Your advisor is here to guide your journey. Meet with them regularly to discuss course selections, monitor your progress, and ensure you’re on track to graduate. Advisors can also connect you with tutoring or other campus support if needed.
Learning Center
Struggling in a subject? The Learning Center offers free peer tutoring in many courses. Schedule a weekly appointment or drop in for help grasping key concepts, reviewing materials, proofreading papers, and more.
Writing Center
Need writing assistance? The Writing Center provides one-on-one consultations at any stage of the writing process. Brainstorm ideas, strengthen arguments, polish drafts, learn citation styles, and boost academic writing skills. Appointments fill up fast near paper deadlines!
Library Services
The library has so much more than books! Reference librarians can assist with research, accessing databases, evaluating sources, and proper citations. Use library computers, printers, and work spaces 24/7 with your student ID. You can even borrow laptops, tablets, cameras, and other tech.
Office Hours
When struggling in a course, meet with the professor or teaching assistant during posted office hours. Discuss lectures, assignments, test preparation, or any concept you don’t fully grasp. Ask how to improve your performance and class participation too.
With all Widener has to offer, you have the resources to help you adjust to college academics. Stay organized, advocate for yourself, and don’t hesitate to request assistance early and often from advisors, tutors, professors and library staff. We all want you to learn, grow and succeed!
Tips for Making Friends and Getting Along With Your Roommate
Making new friends and getting along with roommates can make your freshman year of college a lot more fun. Here are some tips to help you thrive socially:
Join clubs and activities. Attend those first club meetings and mingle. Shared interests make fast friends.
Make an effort with your roommate. Set expectations early about cleaning, guests, etc. to avoid conflict.
Leave your door open when you’re around. Be the one to say hello first to people on your floor.
Sit with someone new at meals or events. Ask questions and find common ground.
Exchange numbers with new people. Follow up to study together or hang out.
Don’t wait for people to approach you—put yourself out there. Being open and friendly paves the way for relationships.
If you’re introverted, that’s ok! Find ways to quietly connect, like bonding while studying in the library.
If roommate issues emerge, communicate openly and compromise. If needed, resident advisors can help mediate.
The beginning of college is the perfect time to practice social skills and learn to live with all different types of people. Making friends and getting along with your roommate will make your college experience more positive. Put effort into forming connections—they can last far beyond your years at Widener!
Conclusion
And there you have it – some tips to help you navigate your first year at Widener. College is what you make of it, so be sure to put yourself out there, get involved, take advantage of campus resources, and manage your time wisely. With a little planning and some self care, you’ll be equipped to handle this important transition in life. Stay positive and remember – you’ve got this! By next year, you’ll be a seasoned pro at the college game. For now, focus on finding your groove and enjoy all the new experiences ahead. Best of luck to you in your first year at Widener!
Widener University: Tips for Surviving Your First Year
