Jessica
It is essential to engage and participate in activities as soon as you arrive on campus. Students are much more active in clubs and activities then I had imagined and it seemed difficult to engage myself in activities midway through the semester. Your college experience is greatly enhanced if you become an active member and it becomes significantly easier to form friendships with people who have similar interests.
Reagan
I just transferred to Chapman this semester. I attended community college before this and I wish I would have known that it is very common for people to take this route and I wish I had not been so upset with myself for taking a while to figure out what I wanted to do as a career path. Everyone is finding themselves and figuring out their lives and it is okay to be afraid, but it is imperative that you keep moving forward or else you won't ever find what you're truly supposd to do!
Elisabeth
I wish I'd decided sooner to persue my graphic design minor
Jenny
At a small private college, the people you live with in your dorm are the people you will continuously see the next 4 years. So forming bonds is very important.
kiana
I wish I had known that most students at Chapman would live on campus or in the neighboring streets. instead I, got an apartment about twenty minutes away in a bordering beach town. Chapman students are very nit and all stay close to campus. If i had know this before, i would have moved to the city of orange with fellow students. It seemed as all students lived with fellow chapman students, and I lived woth roommates that attended school in neighboring cities.
Alicia
I wish I had known before my freshman year is to get involved with activities, groups, clubs, events right off the bat. In the beginning, every freshmen is in the same boat, trying to find their place, feeling overwhelmed with meeting so many new people, and figuring out their classes. Freshmen year it is important to find any club or group or activity that interests you and join it. This way you have something that connects you with others with similar interests, be it an environmental, social, or educational organization.
Jimena
I wish I had known there is more to school finance than just tuition. I find myself out of money and needing to ask my parents for help.
Hannah
To have fun and make a lot of friends. You will know these people forever and you NEED to get out there and meet as many people as you can. But along with that, it is easy to gain a reputation your freshman year. Once again, you will know these people forever and you do not want to be known as the "party freshman" or the "weird kid who doesn't talk to anyone." Be yourself, have fun, make friends, and actually go to class.
Michelle
It really is okay not to know what major you are doing, or change it. At Chapman it is really easy to change majors or minors, something very important to know. Also before signing up for classes check ratemyprofessor.com