This fall, Josie Peinemann was surprised to see the biggest group of Aggie Explorers she ever met. About 60 students, nearly triple the number last year, were there to learn about different majors and careers.
The group was much more outgoing than in previous years. Most were already talking. They were excited to be there.
“You could kind of feel the buzz of energy in the room,” said Peinemann, a peer mentor for the seminar and a third-year double major in cognitive science and communication.
The room was very different nearly three years ago when Peinemann was a nervous first-year student attending that same seminar. That day, she was one of the first to arrive in a big, empty room. Everyone was quiet until she decided to be the one to start the conversation.
She remembers what it was like to take that first step to make connections and build community. All her efforts since then have been worthwhile.
“Even in my new classes right now, trying to meet new people, it's hard to just take that first step when it's really quiet in the room,” said Peinemann. “I try to push through it and take the first step. I think that's how I built my closest friendships.”
How to find your people in the first year at UC Davis
When Peinemann arrived on campus, she immediately found ways to get involved. She went to events hosted by her dorm’s residential assistant and attended meetings for clubs that interested her. She took workshops through the University Honors Program and at the Undergraduate Research Center. Events for first-year students were specifically structured to create connections.
“Because UC Davis is so big, you have people that are in all sorts of niches,” said Peinemann. “Because there are so many resources like clubs and so many interests that people are building off of, it is actually quite easy to find like a niche if you're looking for it.”
During her first year, these experiences gave her the chance to meet people. It also made her feel connected to campus despite its size.
Today, Peinemann is a L&S Ambassador as well as a peer mentor for the Aggie Explorers program. She tutors in statistics, linguistics and neuroscience in the Academic Assistance and Tutoring Centers and she has served as a leader in the UC Davis Regents Scholars Society.
“Especially when you're on campus for your first year, it's easy to pop into those sorts of events and meet people,” said Peinemann. “Sometimes it was scary going alone, but I feel like going alone to things was how I met new people with similar interests.”
Four pieces of advice to make the most of student life
Peinemann offered four pieces of advice for first-year students at UC Davis.
- Talk to people: Talking to people and trying something new is the best way to connect. It’s how you really learn about anything, from a major that might interest you, a future job or just adulting. It also helps to get to know people to build a support system.
- Do new things: Trying something new can be valuable even if it means going by yourself. You also don’t have to stick with everything if it’s not a fit. Attend a club meeting or two and decide if it’s really for you.
- Reach out when you need help: Really utilize campus resources, because they are there for you and they really do make a difference.
- You can do this: It’s okay to take your time to meet people and figure things out. You won’t fall behind if you do.
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