Starting college comes with a lot of firsts: your first college class, your first campus event and maybe even your first time living away from home.
During your initial month at St. Ambrose University, those firsts will quickly become routine. You'll learn your way around campus, meet professors and classmates, and begin finding what makes St. Ambrose feel like home. Here's a look at what your first month as an Ambrosian might look like.
Week one: Find your rhythm
The first week of classes is when college starts to feel real. You'll find your classrooms and meet your professors as you work through your first classes. You'll also start figuring out your daily routine, from how long it takes to walk across campus to where you like to spend time between classes.
If you're a first-year student, New Student Seminar (NSS) will be part of that transition. The course is designed to help you adjust to the academic and social aspects of college while introducing you to resources that can support you throughout your time at St. Ambrose.
Your first week is also a good time to introduce yourself to the people sitting next to you in class and explore campus. You don't need to have your routine figured out right away. You'll learn what works for you as you go.
Week two: Get comfortable with college life
By the second week, you'll probably spend less time thinking about where you're going and more time figuring out how to balance your schedule. This is a good time to find the study habits and spaces that work best for you, whether that's a quiet spot in the library or somewhere you can work with friends.
When you need support, you don't have to figure things out on your own. St. Ambrose offers tutoring and other academic resources through the Academic Coaching and Enrichment Center to help you build skills for college success.
Week two also brings Club Fest, where you can explore the more than 70 student organizations at St. Ambrose. Walk around, talk with current members, and see what catches your interest. Club Fest is a chance to learn what's available and find a few opportunities you'd like to explore.
You'll also start settling into life outside the classroom. Maybe you'll develop a routine of meeting friends for lunch at The Grove or stopping by the Beehive for a quick coffee or Stinger, our signature energy drink.
Week three: Find your hive
By week three, you've had some time to see what's available on campus. Now you can start finding the activities and communities that feel right for you. Maybe you found a club at Club Fest that you want to check out, or you've heard about a campus event that sounds interesting. Getting involved can help you meet students outside your classes and make campus feel smaller.
The Campus Activities Board (CAB) provides many fun events throughout the school year, like movie nights, trivia, trips, and more. These opportunities can be a great way to meet others and settle further into campus.
Week four: Make campus your own
By the end of your first month, campus will likely feel much different than it did on your first day. You'll know your way around without checking where you're going and have favorite places to spend your free time. If you're living on campus, your residence hall may also start feeling more like home as you get to know the people around you.
This is also a good time to start exploring beyond campus. St. Ambrose is located in the Quad Cities, giving you plenty to discover on both sides of the Mississippi River. Head into Davenport with new friends or find a local favorite as you get to know the community beyond campus.
As your routines and relationships grow, you'll start discovering what you want your St. Ambrose experience to look like.
Give yourself time to adjust
At the end of your first month, you probably won't have everything figured out, and you don't need to. You may have found a close group of friends, or you may still be meeting new people. You might feel settled in your major or still be exploring your options. Your first semester gives you time to learn what works for you.
Keep saying yes to opportunities to connect. Ask questions when you need help. And take advantage of the people and resources around you. Little by little, St. Ambrose will stop feeling like the campus you chose and start feeling like your Hive.
Ready to picture yourself as a Fighting Bee? Schedule a campus visit to explore St. Ambrose and see what life in the Hive could look like for you.
