Admissions

Get involved! There are SO many activities, you'll find one you like no matter what! Clubs regarding your major, a foreign language that interests you, performing arts, book clubs, volunteer organizations, athletics, fraternities/sororities, and the list goes on. This is the best way to meet people because you find others with common interests. If there isn't a group for you, you can create one! I'd suggest GVSU Alternative Breaks-- you will meet the most amazing people while volunteering nationwide! Entering as a freshman, it is a good idea to live on campus to meet friends. If you are very outgoing, go with traditional style. Everyone's doors are always open and they all know each other. A little more reserved could go with suite style or apartment. You still meet people because your building will do several actives throughout the year together (and GO to these! It's always fun!). For classes, there are many to chose from, it's hard to decide; sometimes you just want to take them all. The size of the classes are small enough so the professor knows everyone by name. Lectures are big, but there are discussion classes about 1/4 of the size and go more in-depth. Professors are always willing to help, so go to their office hours!

Get involved! Between clubs, sports (including intramurals!), events (even dances like the President's Ball!), and a really nice rec-center, there is absolutely no excuse not to get involved. Use the free transportation! GV is really green and offers bus transportation to almost anywhere you could possibly need. Take advantage of campus dining! It's not scary dorm food, it actually is delicious... which is more reason to take advantage of the rec-center to battle the freshman 15. Finally, I felt extremely safe and comfortable on this campus, and that doesn't happen easily. I could not have imagined a better freshman experience and highly recommend this school!

Grand Valley is a great atmosphere to live and learn in. People will smile at you as you walk by and hold doors for you or help you up if you slip in the snow. There are tons of activities for students to do, from clubs and intramurals to watching the exceptional sports teams play, going to concerts and comedians, and watching theater.

Study hard and use the tutoring opportunities as soon as you see you have difficulty in a class. Better late then never. Try to stay active in many on campus activities but, if you get a chance go down town and check it out, they have something going on every night. Also when in doubt talk to a counselor, RA, or some type of faculty when you feel stressed out or need help. That is what they are there for. College is about higher learning not stressing out and crying everyday because its hard. Get the help you need and keep it moving! :)
Make sure you consider who you are going to live with before you agree to live wherever you are going to live. It can be extremely stressful to live with people you have a problem living with and not be able to move out it you have waited too long to make changes.

When looking at colleges, make sure you meet with a few teachers, and ask some students what their opinions on the classes are. It may seem awkward to do, but it can really help to get a real opinion of a current student. Also, it may seem super scary at first, but living on campus is just the best thing to do. You truly feel the entire experience of a college when you stay on It's turf.

Remember the reason you are here: To study hard, learn lots, and get good grades. You need to put school and class first. You are paying for it, right? Put your best effort into it so you will have no regrets later. Be smart while you are at college! Drinking and other illegal activities may seem fun, but really is not worth it. You HAVE TO have a social life. In order to relieve stress and not go completely insane, make sure you are spending a good amount of time with your friends! Make memories, push your limits, make new friends, go outside your comfort zone. College is a life-changing experience, make it a great one.

It is a larger school so by joining clubs and organizations, you will be able to meet more people especially if you live off campus.

Understand that college is not like high school. You probably won't know many of the kids in your classes and that's ok. Find where you fit in and be yourself. The teachers may not assign homework that is due necessarily, but reading the textbooks, doing problem sets they post online, and whatever other material they provide is well worth doing. It may seem like a waste of time, even if you think you already know how to do something, but in the end it is well worth the time spent doing it when you get an A on an especially hard test.

Don't be nervous for college because it's a great and memorable experience! Get to know your classmates and professors because it will help you out. A couple days before classes make sure to look around campus and get familiar with it because it will help with the first day and allow you to be more calm about that semester.

Try to meet people that you have something in common with in your first few weeks here.