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
GET MORE EXCELLENT WISDOM VIA AZUSA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY ALUMNI