Ask questions. Be open to new perspectives. Build connections with others. Believe in yourself. Work hard and have fun.
These words of advice from BOLD (Burgians of the Last Decade) alumni to the Class of 2028 resound through the experiences shaped by Gettysburg’s people, place, and the Gettysburg Approach. Like generations of Gettysburgians before them, BOLD alumni recall their first days on campus, taking in new sights, meeting new people, and preparing to immerse themselves in A Consequential Education.
The following BOLD alumni share their insights with incoming students on making the most of their first year at Gettysburg College.
Anto Baggi ’24: ‘Try to get out of your comfort zone’
“The most important thing about Orientation is to try to get out of your comfort zone. There will be a lot going on in, and you might feel overwhelmed. Be open to meet people who come from another state or even international students. Maybe you find something in common, and these people will become some of the closest friends on campus or just people that you know you can trust for academics or as a connection for a future job.
“Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Orientation leaders, staff, and faculty are here to help. Ask a lot of questions about how to sign up for classes. It may seem confusing at first, but it will be worth it to be prepared. Engaging in different activities is important as well—maybe you’ll find a new hobby or passion. Offer to help if someone is struggling, and it seems like they are embarrassed or shy to ask for help. For example, if you see a new student walking and they seem lost because they can’t find a building, maybe you can help. If you don’t know, maybe you know someone who does.
“Lastly, don’t give up after the first day or after the first few days. Believe in yourself. If you feel homesick or there are other things going in your life, don’t be afraid to talk to a Resident Assistant or a counselor.”
Anna Baldasarre ’14: ‘Try new things’
“Welcome to Gettysburg, Class of 2028! As you begin your first year of college, I encourage you to find balance. Try new things, but don’t try to do it all. Ask questions and be a good listener. Trust your instincts and be open to new perspectives. Ask for help when you need it but have confidence in yourself.
“Work hard and have fun. Meet as many people as you can, but don’t be afraid to do something on your own, whether that’s signing up for a new class, attending an event, or going to Servo. Gettysburg is a special place, and there are countless opportunities available to you to make it your own. This is just the beginning of your lifetime as a Gettysburgian. I’m so excited for you to begin this new adventure.”
Anna Baldasarre ’14 is the chair of the BOLD Council Executive Committee.
Ellie DeWitt ’19: ‘Appreciate the history that surrounds the College’
“To the Class of 2028:
- Put yourself out there.
- When in doubt, try it.
- Go broad in your involvement.
- Take advantage of Gettysburg faculty and staff. Get to know them and learn as much as you can from them. You never know what opportunities they may bring to you.
- A lot more learning takes place outside the classroom than you might think.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
- Appreciate the history that surrounds the College. Gettysburg is a special place.
- Don’t take your time at Gettysburg for granted. It will be over before you know it.
- Enjoy Servo. You will miss it when you graduate!”
Ellie DeWitt ’19 is the vice chair of the BOLD Council Executive Committee.
Brooke Gutschick ’17: Believe in yourself
“Moving to college is full of emotions: excitement, nervousness, anticipation, homesickness, and much more. It’s normal to feel these things all at once. Living away from home, sharing a room with a roommate, and living on a floor with new people is one of the most important learning experiences you will have outside of the classroom in your first year at Gettysburg. Why? You will learn a lot about yourself: your preferences, how to express those preferences, how to compromise, how to share space with another person, and much more.
“Throughout this growth process, you will undoubtedly encounter challenges, and that is also normal, but there are many people at Gettysburg who want to see you succeed. I felt that way as a first-year, especially because of my Resident Assistant (RA), my faculty advisor, and my Student Senate advisor. That feeling of being supported here has never gone away.
“My best advice is to ask for help from resources on campus because no one can do college alone! Maybe you’re tired often because you’re staying up late working on homework. Meeting with someone in the Center for Student Success can be a great way to learn how to manage your time more effectively. Maybe you have to write your first research paper and don’t know where to even begin. Visiting the Research Help Desk at Musselman Library can help you get started.
“The other piece of advice I have about dealing with challenges is to approach it with this mindset: ‘I can do this. I know that I can overcome this obstacle.’ Maybe it’s working up the courage to confront your roommate about the fact that they listen to videos at full volume without headphones when both of you are in your room. Talking to your RA is good option too.
“Maybe you’re looking around and thinking, ‘Everyone has friends except me.’ First, plenty of other people are in the process of meeting new people and making friends, so you’re not alone in that process. Second, you can start building connections with other people. It’s normal and common to ask someone in your classes to study or eat a meal together. If you take charge of your situation and approach the challenges you face with a solution-oriented mindset, you will be more equipped to overcome them.
“Gettysburg College is a great place to live, learn, and grow. The Gettysburg community can’t wait to welcome you home!”
Brooke Gutschick ’17 is the assistant director of Residential Education at Gettysburg College.
Mike McHenry ’21: ‘Talk to as many people as you can’
“Talk to as many people as you can. For most students, their first year at college is an introduction to a brand-new environment, which can be simultaneously exciting and intimidating. It’s perfectly normal to feel apprehensive about being in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people—it’s how I felt for much of my first semester. It was when I started to make a conscious effort to involve myself more in the Gettysburg community by joining clubs, playing intramural sports, and generally meeting new people that I grew far more comfortable in my first year at college.
“Striking up a conversation with a first-year student in your residence hall, a peer in your class, a professor, or a member of the Servo team can result in a friendly and recognizable face for the next four years—or, in some cases, a lifelong friendship. That’s not to mention how much you can learn and the opportunities that can arise from knowing so many people with such diverse backgrounds and fields of expertise. Get to know members from all areas of the Gettysburg community. It’ll help you to settle into college life, enjoy your time at school, and build relationships that will extend far beyond your years on campus.”
Nosimat Salami ’24: ‘Be in the moment’
“Perhaps the most important advice I can share came from my previous English teacher and mentor in high school. As any high school senior, I had no idea what a college experience had in store for me. At Gettysburg, you are going to be exposed to so many new things, like the First-Year Walk or G’burg traditions like Burgburst. Your coursework and professors may be even different than what you are used to. Expect to feel some stress and even homesickness, but do not let these issues wear you down.
“Make sure to be in the moment and take advantage of the great opportunities and resources that are available on campus, like the Center for Public Service, if you are interested in volunteering; the Wellness Center, if you need some support and counseling; or the Garthwait Leadership Center, if you want to explore your leadership skills. Gettysburg will be your home for the next four years, as it was mine when I was a student. Whatever you do, be sure to be yourself and try to enjoy your college experience as much as you can.
“Lastly, congratulations and good luck!”
Brent Slotoroff ’16: ‘Deepen your self-awareness’
“I recently heard a quote that really resonated with me: ‘You can’t become yourself by yourself.’ I wish I had heard this before my first year at Gettysburg, as it offers such valuable advice.
“Your first year at Gettysburg is a prime opportunity to deepen your self-awareness and truly become yourself. The College offers a wealth of resources and activities to get involved in. From the Garthwait Leadership Center and the Eisenhower Institute to sessions at the Center for Career Engagement and more, there are countless opportunities to enhance your Gettysburg experience and meet new people with diverse ideas.
“Most importantly, have fun. It’s easy to do at Gettysburg! Step out of your comfort zone, connect with your classmates and professors, and start building lifelong relationships.”
Learn more about Gettysburg College’s Orientation activities for the Class of 2028.
Compiled by Michael Vyskocil
Photos provided by sources unless otherwise noted
Posted: 08/14/24