Freshman year of college is full of uncharted territory. There is learning how to pilot a whole different school schedule, finding out how to live away from the familiarities of home and navigating cafeteria and communal shower etiquette. All these new experiences lead to many questions, but sometimes there are not many answers.

Knowing what to expect ahead of time can make life easier, which is why Rockhurst University senior Bailey Reynolds has answered need-to-know questions asked directly by freshmen. Reynolds’s advice comes from a breadth of experience at Rockhurst having been involved in the Student Activities Board (SAB), the women’s soccer team, campus ministry and intramurals. She did this all while maintaining a high academic standard, earning a spot on the Dean’s List every semester. 

All questions were submitted via an online survey the Sentinel emailed to Rockhurst freshmen:

Q: How scared were you? 

A: “I was scared! I had a random roommate so I didn’t know her. Navigating meeting and living with a new person was scary. Not knowing anyone was scary. Thankfully, I had the soccer community and my roommate was heavily involved, so I was able to get connected with other people.”

Q: How does one balance school and social life?

A: Balance takes some time. It’s just having a good work ethic. Stay on top of homework and email your professors if you’re struggling. With social life, it’s important to get involved. Find clubs and get into a schedule of going to meetings. Take a day out of the week to do something new if you aren’t from Kansas City. Go to a coffee shop with a friend and do homework. 

Q: What’s your advice for having a good relationship with professors?

A: Always go to class. Have good communication with professors. Asking questions in person makes it easier to put a face to your name. Then, if you have any interests or topics regarding the lecture, talk to them about it. They get a kick out of that.

Q: What organizations should I join? 

A: Simple answer. All of them. Join what interests you.

Q: How do you make new friends?

A: It’s difficult the first couple of months, but honestly just strike up a conversation with someone. You don’t know if you have the same major or online class together. Always make group chats for your class. I think that is a great way to meet new people.

Q: What’s your favorite place on campus? 

A: I have two. One is the perch. Love it. It’s right in front of the soccer field and it’s shaded so you can see your computer screen. The third floor of the library is good when you actually have to get stuff done. It’s silent up there.

Q: If you could’ve done something differently what would you do? 

A: Try to take a class that is a random interest to you. For example, there’s this marathon class I’m in just for fun.

Q: What was the hardest adjustment you had to make after starting college?

A: Being independent. No one else is here to tell you to put in the work for academics, athletics or anything that is important to you in life. You have to motivate yourself.

Q: Has Rockhurst helped you make professional and meaningful connections? 

A: I would say so as an exercise science major. It’s a tight-knit community. There are lots of physical therapy clinics with Rockhurst grads and RU Sciences sends out job postings and lecture opportunities you can network at. I think it’s pretty similar to the business world.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about Rockhurst?

A: I really love the core values that Rockhurst has like finding God in all things, Cura Personalis, and Magis. They really motivate me as a student-athlete, towards my career and in growing as a person who helps others. Second is the tight-knit community.

Q: What are your best studying tips? 

A: Different things work for different people. For me, Quizlets are a big thing. Also, I really like study groups and having a person or two to go through different problems with. SIs (Student Instructors) are a great way to study too.

Q: What’s your favorite place to eat here in Kansas City? 

A: My favorite place to eat is Longboards. It’s a Hawaiian wrap place over on Johnson Drive.

Q: What are affordable things to do in KC?

A: Well, the Nelson-Atkins is free. There are a lot of trails nearby like the Trolley Trail. There’s coffee shops, hammocking, the River Market and all sorts of farmers markets – that’s a big one.

Reynolds finished by providing advice on what she wishes she knew about freshman year.

“I wish I knew everything that I know now but that’s not how life works. You have to grow. This one is random, but I wish I knew about the Boost app earlier. No one told me about it. I didn’t have it until halfway through freshman year,” said Reynolds.

(For any freshmen who do not know, Boost is a digital app that allows pre-orders for on-campus dining options such as Einstein Bros. Bagels, Starbucks and the Melt Lab in Massman Hall.