Applying for and starting college is a stressful time. To help ease the stress, the Wolfpacket reached out to several CHS alumni. In this recurring column, CHS alumni Mercer Weis, a Freshman at Stanford; Ruby Raheja, a Sophomore at UC Davis; Rowan Orlijin Rhyne, a Sophomore at Swarthmore; and Tammi Ho, a Junior at San Diego State, will discuss their experiences in college.

Do you have any advice for incoming college Freshmen?

Mercer: My best advice for incoming college Freshman would be to look beyond the classroom. Most people think that college is just about what you learn within the bounds of your chemistry lecture or political science class. Applying your knowledge, whether that’s through research, clubs, or even just in conversations, will truly make your college experience more impactful. Also, get to know the community! Being around the people that you love on a daily basis has made College unforgettable.

Ruby: I would say that joining clubs and organizations and applying for jobs on campus really helped me make friends, especially my first year when I was feeling homesick. They allowed me to meet people with similar interests since it can be hard at a big university like UC Davis.

Rowan: Try not to be too stressed about work during your freshman year. Instead, take time to adjust to the rhythms of college life, and have fun!

Tammi: Absolutely. With whatever aspect of college, you will only get what you put in to it. I highly encourage everyone to push yourselves out of your comfort zones, but not enough to lose yourself in the process. Also, learn how to cook and take care of your body!