Life Outside the Classroom

College is an opportunity for you to explore new experiences, meet new people and discover yourself. Although your academics are the reason you are at college and your first priority, you should take advantage of opportunities outside of the classroom to gain new experiences. Syracuse University has over 300 student organizations in which you can join, there are social events every evening, athletic team/clubs and outings, and community engagement opportunities are endless. You may not know exactly how you want to spend your "free" time right away, and that is okay, experiment and try various activities until you find your niche.

Balancing School and Work

You may find yourself in need of a little extra money, whether it is for tuition, entertainment or your car payment, and this may mean you will have to juggle school, work and extracurricular activities. Whether you have a Federal Work Study or non-Federal Work Study job it can be beneficial; not only will the job help you graduate with little or no debt if you learn how to spend and save your money wisely, it will help you gain real-life skills and build friendships. However, if you do not manage your time well and commit to too many hours you will set yourself up for exhaustion and poor grades. When you are searching for a job you should search for an employer who is flexible and willing to work around your class and break schedule. You should also try to work weekends so that you do not interfere with study and homework time. Also remember that you need to also schedule time for fun, stress-reducing activities will help you keep your life in perspective and in balance.

Social Life

All work and no play isn't what college life is all about, there needs to be balance and priorities. In college there is no one to help you structure your day, follow rules or provide you with academic motivation, this is all in your hands and it can be overwhelming. Syracuse University sponsors several evening and weekend events including lectures, student organization meetings, residence hall events, dances, concerts, parties and much, much more. Taking part in social activities will help you become involved in college life and to meet other students, however, you can not become so involved outside of the classroom that you neglect your academics. With so much to do on campus you may feel tempted to do it all, however, you must limit activities and focus on your goals. If you need to study is okay to say no to friends who want you to go out; it is much more important to pass your classes than temporarily disappoint your friends.

Getting Involved

As you get involved in campus life and the classroom, you become engaged in your learning experience and take advantage of all college has to offer. When you get involved in campus activities you build strong relationships with other students who have similar interests and goals, friends that with shape your college experience.

Syracuse University offers an array of choices when it comes to becoming an active participant in campus life. With performance groups, fraternities and sororities, student government, and more than 300 other recognized student organizations, you can supplement your academic pursuits while making valuable connections on campus.

Finding Your Place

At first you may feel like you are all alone, however, before long you will find other students who are in your major, share your interests and love the same music. You will find activities that interest you and you will find places on campus that make you feel at home. During Syracuse Welcome you will have the opportunity to meet many different students in different settings and you will also get to know those who live in your residence hall. If you are looking for certain activities, but can't find them, make sure to ask your resident advisor because most likely it exists somewhere on campus.