As the semester begins, many of us feel a wave of emotions, filled with excitement and anticipation for what the next few months hold. Especially for freshmen, this new chapter in life can seem exhilarating while at the same time challenging.
Last spring, more than 1,100 students graduated from Azusa Pacific University, embarking on new adventures in the professional world and/or pursuing graduate school. As they reflect on their collegiate journeys, we asked them to share advice with incoming freshmen:
- “Never stop setting goals for yourself and sticking with a plan. Trust that things will work out, even when it feels like you are not where you want to be in life. Appreciate the small, seemingly insignificant moments and take in the fresh air from driving with the windows down during the many commutes to school ahead. Most importantly, take time to really appreciate the countless blessings and experiences in your life. You get to write and define your own story and your time at APU is only one chapter of an ongoing, continuously evolving journey that is unique to you.” - McCall Zeutzius '24, political science major and honors humanities minor
- “Be involved! Join clubs, organize study groups, talk to new people, and expand your circle. Creating a community of your own will help you balance your time and enrich your college experience. Don’t forget about your professors. They are not only great resources for your professional life, but many will grow to become great friends as well.”- Roxy Karimi '24, sociology and honors humanities major, English minor
- “My advice is a list of yeses: Say yes to being a part of a global engagement team. Say yes to joining a club. Say yes to the late night trip to the Donut Man. Say yes to the game of volleyball until the lights go out. Say yes to the study session in the library that may involve more conversation than studying. Say yes to going on a date with someone who might become your spouse. Say yes to the opportunities to impact others and to discover new aspects of yourself. College is such a formative season where you will truly begin to know who you are and the ways God created you specifically and intentionally. Let it unfold in a fun way and don’t let the worries of the future or what people think make you shy away from the fullness of joy the Lord wants you to have in these years at APU!”- Sarah Potts '24, Christian ministries major
- “One piece of advice I would give my younger self is don’t feel the need to overcompensate. I would say do your best to be involved in your community, and your school work, but don’t over do it. Everything requires balance, so make sure you excel in your classes, but also make time for the things that you enjoy.”- Emily Guerrero '24, journalism major
- “If I could go back and give myself some advice, it would go something like this: Congratulations! This is a moment you have been working towards for most of your life. Take a deep breath, because the next four years will fly by faster than you can imagine. You are about to forge friendships that will last a lifetime. Yes, there will always be a project, quiz, or major exam on the horizon, but make the most of your time here—you only get these four years once. Be kind and patient with yourself ; you are stepping into uncharted territory. Embrace the journey!”- Zuleika Franco ’24, biology major
- “If I had to give advice to my younger self about college, I would say to give myself grace. Whether it’s socially or academically, understand that college is a brand new experience that comes with its own set of ups and downs. Just because you don’t do as well as you’d hoped on an assignment, doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world. You are new to the college lifestyle, so understand that you might not have everything figured out at first. Adjusting comes with time but once you get it, I promise you will make some of the greatest memories and have some of the greatest experiences of your life.”- Tyler Jones '24, communication management major
- “If I could give my younger self advice on how to succeed in college I would say two things: On a practical note, google calendar is EVERYTHING. Knowing when I had free time and when I was booked was so important to staying on track and making sure I wasn’t overwhelmed or overbooked. If I could have implemented that sooner I totally would have. For a more personal suggestion, the more you can get involved on campus the better. Once I reached my senior year, I was connected in so many ways and I felt like that support system I had built for myself was so necessary to staying mentally healthy. I was able to make sure I didn’t get burned out by academic environments because I had connections in other areas.”- Grace Beck '24, commercial music major
- “My best advice for incoming students is to take advantage of all the opportunities APU has to build community and to get involved early on. The community is so special and contributed so strongly to my experience in college, and my growth as an individual. Some of my favorite APU memories are from participating in the Alpha Program, going to Campus Life events, and getting involved through the Office of Service and Discipleship. It’s rare to find a place like APU where professors, faculty, and peers care so much about you and your growth, so get involved and make the most of it while you’re here!”- Jesse Watson '24, journalism major
- “College is filled with many great memories along with challenging moments as we enter our adult lives. I would tell my freshman self to not be afraid to get involved on campus or try out for the solo part. Stay open-minded and embrace new experiences. Don’t hesitate to invite classmates and professors into your life. They want to walk alongside you in both challenging and fun times.”- Gysel Ponce '24, music and worship major
- “I feel like some people may feel a lot of pressure to ‘make the most’ of their college experience and then end up getting burnt out, so the biggest piece of advice I’d give anyone starting this journey is to find significant moments of joy. Whether that means joining a bunch of clubs, exploring LA, or getting the best grades, the thing I got the most out of college (also the thing I miss the most) was those moments of fun, community, or even studying that made me take a second and think ‘yeah, all of this is worth it,’ in whatever way that looked like in the moment. I felt a joy that nothing could take away. There will be highs and lows, as if life, but if you keep a grateful posture then joy will come in the good and the bad.”- Taina Estevez '24, acting for the stage and screen (BFA) and honors humanities major