Advice & Encouragement for New Bees from Our Editors

Written by Edith Manfred, Graphic by Anna Porter

Whether you’re a freshman, transfer student or graduate student, starting college is a rollercoaster of emotions and experiences. It’s exciting, inspiring and hopeful, but it can be equal measures of scary, intimidating and lonely. Luckily, every single one of our District staff has gone through the journey of starting at SCAD and we lived to tell the tale. Today, we’re bringing you our editors’ best advice and encouragement so New Bees – this one’s for you. 

Change is both inevitable and beautiful, and here at SCAD, you are guaranteed to change from now until you graduate. To our staff, what is the #1 piece of advice your current self would give your freshman self?

• “Put yourself out there! Everyone is out of their comfort zone being in a new place with new people. Don’t be afraid to push outside of your comfort zone by getting involved and meeting what could become your new best friends!”
• “Join something! Anything! Become a regular somewhere, whether that be a club, an organization, or even your favorite coffee shop. It’s nice to be known somewhere, especially when everything feels so unknown.”
• “SCAD is what you make of it- so get involved as soon as possible. Don’t be afraid to get involved as a freshman; the sooner, the better! Plus, getting involved early can lead to leadership positions later down the line.”
• “Be more experimental! I wish I had pushed the limits a little more in my creative projects during Foundations classes. High school was a lot about grades and checking boxes, but SCAD really is about trying new things and finding what makes you feel alive. Follow the people and projects that interest you.” 
• “While it’s such a great idea to say yes to everything and join as many activities as you can. There’s also great power in honing in on specific interests and passions to really develop a sense of self. I remember thinking something was wrong if I didn’t like a popular club when really some of my best friends ended up being the other people who chose not to participate. In order to push your comfort zone, you have to know where it even is.”

If you’re a freshman, chances are that you’re living at the Hive or in a similar housing style. What is one thing all freshmen should know about living in the Hive?

• “It’s campy, and you should lean into that. This is the one time you’ll have four people sharing one shower and four square feet of kitchen space. Don’t try to glamorize it, and wish the time away. Find the cute little quirks and enjoy it.”
• “Don’t miss out on the opportunity to meet people while you’re living in close proximity.”
• “Visit your friends’ dorms because it can help you to see what works for you and what doesn’t. Literally vibe check different dorms to see what makes you feel comfortable that you could add yourself, and what isn’t necessary in your new home. I tried to recognize what elements like furniture configuration and even decorative lights made me the happiest when I was in other people’s dorms.”
• “Get to know the meal swipe time periods! I would plan out my mornings so that I got breakfast with my meal swipe and then coffee as soon as the new meal swipe period began.”
• “Clean before it’s too late!”

Your first year is all about simply figuring out how to live life on your terms while working hard and coexisting with lots of other humans. What is one thing you wish you had done differently freshman year?

• “I wish I’d leaned into more of my own hobbies rather than forcing myself into other people. One of my best friends and I became super close when we found out we both like knitting and we took a solo field trip to Michael’s. But the crazy part is that we’d been in the same friend group for weeks and never discovered we had this in common. We spent so much time assimilating into other people’s interests that we missed out on the obvious choice in front of us!”
• “Nothing is as big of a deal as I made it seem in my head. Freshman year is all about figuring out where you fit, so don’t be discouraged if the first few months you feel out of place.”
• “I wish I’d utilized the SCAD resources earlier, such as Bee Well and even tutoring. There are lots of resources and services to help you succeed, but often you need to be proactive by finding out what those resources are.”
• “Made friends with a wider amount of people rather than sticking to the same friend group. I’ve met so many cool people during my last few years of college that I wish I’d known sooner!”
• “Spend more time outside of my dorm.”

For most SCAD students Savannah is far away from home. Whether that be a few hundred or a few thousand miles away, homesickness can be tough. How did you overcome homesickness, if you struggled with it?

• “I talked to my family on the phone a lot, and they were able to visit a few times. But I think the best way to overcome it was finding a home in Savannah through my new friends and routine.”
• “Become a regular somewhere! You obviously can’t recreate your home, but you can start to find some places that may start to feel like home. I recommend frequenting coffee shops, bookstores, or even your new favorite spot in the park.”
• “Learn what your healthy balance of alone time versus time with other people is. I definitely isolated myself when I should’ve been involved and forced myself into social situations when I just needed a few hours alone. Knowing how to be comfortable with yourself can help you create your own home in a new place.”
• “Making a plan to go home once a quarter so I had something to look forward to.”
• “While I didn’t personally experience homesickness, I remember feeling really left out by friends who stayed home, still having a great friend group when I moved across the country. But all I could do was remind myself that I was on a different journey than them. I’ve always loved how independent I am, so why would I wish that away on a reality that wasn’t right for me?”

Finally, any words of encouragement or wisdom for incoming New Bees?

• “You’ll find your people. I swear, but it takes time. Also, you’re here for a reason. People here at SCAD are talented, like really, really talented, which is equally as inspiring as it can be discouraging sometimes. I’ve grown so much in my art, sure, but the most important things I’ve learned at SCAD were the things I learned about myself.Trust yourself, know you deserve a spot at any table, and believe that what you have to say matters.”
• “Chances are, everyone is just as scared as you are! Sharing what you’re struggling with can help others to feel seen or more comfortable being nervous in a new place with new people. You’re in this together, really.”
• “Some things will be hard, but it’s all part of the experience and will be worth it in the end!”
• “College is about finding the balance between fun and work, so work hard to play hard.”
• “New things are hard, and college is scary. So many people will tell you to conquer your fears and get over them. While yes personal growth is so important, it’s just as important to learn to do things despite the fear. You don’t have to stop being afraid; just remember that you can do it, afraid.”

We’re so happy you’re here, and we know you’ll fit right in. We believe in you! Good luck, and welcome to Savannah.