Illustration by Nisala Saheed
50 Things, Updated for the Class of 2021
Your first year of college can be a challenging time with all the changes you’ll experience, whether this is your first time away from home or not.
May 7, 2017
Dear Class of 2021,
Welcome to the club; you are now one of the approximately 1,500 individuals who have taken on the challenge of being an NYU Abu Dhabi student. Throughout the next four years, be prepared to have a college experience unlike any of your peers. But don’t worry, there will be a cohort of people on campus going through this unique college experience with you. Whether this is your first time living away from home or not, your first year of college can be a challenging time with all the changes you’ll experience. On that note, here are some tips from upperclassmen on a thing or two about college at NYUAD:
- Remember your excitement in the first few days of Marhaba. You’ll need this moment archived in your memory for the next few years.
- Your friendships will keep changing over time. It’s natural for some people to fall apart, especially over distance.
- Despite this, spend time with the people that matter most to you.
- You don’t have to be friends with your roommates, but learn how to live amicably with them. Communication is key.
- The people you love will either be a few buildings or thousands of miles away from you; there is no in-between.
- The Room of Requirement Facebook page is NYUAD’s encyclopedia. But use it sparingly; type your question in the search bar before you post.
- NYUAD Forum and Room of Requirement can sometimes be filled with hundred-comment arguments and debates. If you decide to participate in these, just remember that the internet never forgets.
- Some days, it’s perfectly acceptable to miss your 9:00 a.m. class to sleep in, but try not to do it too often.
- Freshman grades don’t count, but don’t use this as an excuse to be lazy. Challenge yourself; take classes that take you out of your comfort zone, classes that interest you. You’ll be surprised what you’ll learn and realize.
- You don’t have to know your major right away. But if you have an intended major, don’t be frustrated about it just because Foundations of Science or Foundations of Modern Social Thought are hard. You have the support of all your peers, especially upperclassmen, who got through those classes too.
- The transition from a non-international education system to the NYUAD curriculum can be difficult. Be honest with your professors and reach out to resources like the Writing Center for help.
- Going to college means a new level of independence — your first steps to adulting. But never feel like you have to compromise your own beliefs and values.
- However, don’t be afraid of change. Don’t feel guilty about adapting to new perspectives; let your values evolve.
- It’s okay to place into Math 101. Your major might not need Multivariable Calculus anyway.
- Don’t let all the information overwhelm you. The Student Portal and the NYUAD Student Life group has all the information you need.
- Don’t be afraid to speak your mind. Engage in respectful discourse; it’s okay to disagree with other people, just remember not to attack them personally.
- Most professors care about you more than you know. Sit down with them for coffee and talk about your class, grades, next week’s final paper and life.
- Try a new sport. Enroll in beginner’s piano. Do a Student Led Project. Audition for the Student Theater Production. Take your first film class. There are enough opportunities on this campus to try things you’ve never done before, and there are people who will help you get started.
- Be proud of who you are and where you come from; be proud to talk about your culture, but also listen to other people’s stories from their homes.
- Being in a relationship in this university can be tricky, but don’t be afraid to fall in love. Long distance relationships are not for everyone; it takes commitment and effort. Discern when you want to keep going, and when you have to let go.
- Don’t be afraid to open up and be vulnerable. You’ll be surprised to find that most of us don’t have it together.
- Don’t lose touch with your family and friends from home. Make an effort to set up Skype dates; they miss you more than you know.
- End of the year goodbyes are the hardest — especially the first time. It never gets easy, but it gets better.
- You don’t have to be a global leader.
- Psychology and social science experiments are a good one-time way to earn cash. Student assistantship jobs on campus pay good money too.
- Sometimes staying up all night to finish that paper isn’t the best option, but embrace the process of learning how to manage your time.
- The laundry room is a war zone. Set a timer on your phone and take out your laundry on time.
- Enjoy the mundane moments and record them; take photos, save your Snapchat stories, make videos about your travels. You’ll want to remember these down the road.
- Don’t be surprised if yallah, khalas, inshallah, alhamdulillah, marhaba and habibi seep their way into your daily slang. Embrace your new exposure to Arab culture.
- Try to make Emirati friends.
- Be prepared to defend the Middle East and the UAE and engage in conversations about Orientalism for the next four years of your life.
- Join a Student Interest Group that aligns with your interests. Or start a new one.
- Visit the gym and eat as healthy as you can; the campus has plenty of options for both.
- The campus also has a variety of resources for mental health. If you feel uncomfortable discussing your issues with your friends, there are people at REACH and counselors at the Health and Wellness Center to support you. It’s okay not to be okay.
- Show up when you say you will, or let people know in advance if you can’t make it. Don’t be a flake and don’t overcommit.
- Be empathetic towards your peers; everyone is going through something.
- Don’t be intimidated by upperclassmen. They were all freshmen once and probably have a sage tip or two to help out with what you’re going through.
- Don’t make any assumptions about other students’ religion, gender or financial situation.
- Respect differences and learn how to live surrounded by diverse people.
- Don’t feel pressured to do an internship just because your friends are.
- Invest in a durable suitcase and backpack. You’ll travel more than you think — but don’t feel like you have to travel every break.
- Abu Dhabi can be as boring or as exciting as you make it. Leave the Saadiyat bubble once in awhile and explore new pockets of the city; hop on the shuttle and get lost downtown.
- Saadiyat Public Beach is only a taxi ride away; it’s a nice escape and a good place to unwind and do your readings.
- Tread lightly with smoking tobacco, shisha and dokha. Be informed about their health effects before trying them out.
- Be extra careful on your first Thursday night. Surround yourself with people who will take care of you, but also know to look after yourself. However, don’t feel like you need to be partying every Thursday night. A quiet movie night or an early night in is okay too.
- Your NYU ID is precious. It contains your meal swipes, dining dirhams and is your access into buildings; don’t lose it.
- The room selection process can be a war; you’ll eventually get the chance to have a single within your four years.
- The comforts of this campus outweigh its little inconveniences; take time everyday to be grateful.
- We are a young university. Embrace its imperfections and help fix it where it needs fixing.
- Time and distance become arbitrary after a while. Make your freshman year whatever you want it to be; take risks and make it an adventure.
*Editor's note: this article is an updated version of 50 Things Every NYUAD Freshman Should Know. You can find the original here.
Bernice Delos Reyes is Deputy Social Media Editor. Daria Zahaleanu is Deputy Opinion Editor. Email them at feedback@thegazelle.org.
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