Adventures at Arcadia: My First Semester Recap
My very first semester at Arcadia was a lot better than I ever imagined it could be. Coming in, I was nervous about making friends, finding a work-study job, managing my time well, and overall, just enjoying campus life. Now, looking back, I have found more success and comfort here than most college first-years. I want this blog to serve as a comprehensive overview of how Arcadia has been for me and the different experiences I’ve had here thus far.
Over this past summer, I scoured Arcadia’s student employment website, Handshake. I knew that I wanted to work in the Landman Library, but I also knew that a library job would be one of the most sought-after. I messaged the hiring manager halfway through the summer to express my interest in the position and let her know that I was enthusiastic about applying as soon as the application came out. Fast forward a few months– I’ve been working at the Landman Library all semester! I have fun with my responsibilities, including reshelving and organizing books, helping students print or find a resource for their essays, and making sure the library is a comforting and helpful place for everyone. Many students applied, but my boss told me that reaching out in the summer made me stand out as a strong candidate. I am happy I took that initiative, and I love my library job as much as I thought I would! I also love my other job, which is to write blogs like the one you’re reading right now. I can’t wait to keep financing my tuition while getting to do things that I genuinely enjoy and am passionate about.
For me, one of the draws about Arcadia when choosing a school was the proximity to Philadelphia. I felt that Philly would not only give me practical opportunities like access to any internship I could ever want, but also fun experiences, like concerts and shopping trips with my friends. All this being said, it took my friends and me nine weeks to take our first trip into the city. We were overwhelmed, especially me, and didn’t know any of the travel logistics. But, when we finally built up the courage, we had an awesome trip with no troubles! We walked straight down to the train station in Glenside, tapped our cards for a ticket, rode the train for 25 minutes, and got off at Jefferson Station in Center City. We ate great food and walked around, mostly just appreciating the city around us. I am glad we didn’t let fears of the unknown stop us. Now I know that getting to Philly from Arcadia is truly no big deal, and I can’t wait to go again!
At the very beginning of the semester, I forced myself to attend every single campus event. I knew that this was essential in the process of making new friends, learning about campus life, and finding out what my favorite types of events were. Now, as we near the end of the semester, my group of friends and I are easily able to narrow down the activities we think we’ll enjoy. Our favorite events are Bingo, Movie Knights on the Green, crafting of any kind, and any event where free food or coffee is offered! I feel like I am really starting to understand the ins and outs of Arcadia, and I am maximizing the enjoyment of my time here by attending fun events and spending time with my friends.
Navigating time management in college has not been an issue for me. Obviously, this will vary based on the person, but I was extremely stretched thin in high school. Right now, I have two jobs, am a full-time student, am in all three choir groups, and STILL have so much extra time in my day. It has been so nice to be productive while being less busy and have more free time to focus on homework, self-care, and spending time with friends. My GPA hasn’t been this high for three years! It’s safe to say I am loving the dynamics of college life.
A lot of factors have affected my first semester on campus, but these were a few things that made the largest impression on me before leaving the school for winter break. I am headed to London for the spring semester on FYSAE, and I cannot wait to see what is to come in my future at Arcadia!
