Words from the wise: advice from upperclass students

As a new student at Eastern University, I began to be exposed to new and challenging ideas regarding my faith. My first experience with this was with Dr.Ray Van Leeuwen in my New Testament class. I remember leaving that classroom challenged and excited about new theological ideas. Allow new ideas to cause you to sit by the pond, so you can be in solitude to work them out in prayer and contemplation. If you allow them to be, these four years can be monumental in helping you put real faith into what you believe.-Mark Russum

Hey guys, welcome to Eastern! Let me tell you a few things that I wish someone had told me as a first-year. For one, it is so easy to get involved with so many clubs, teams, organizations, jobs and volunteer jobs, that our schedules become overloaded very quickly into the semester. Be careful how many things you get involved with. I would advise to join a few organizations and participate in them with good focus and a lot of energy. When one is involved in too many things, it is hard to evenly disperse your time and give each the attention it deserves. Limit yourself.Don’t live for the expectations of others. Don’t sell yourself out and don’t cut yourself short of the things you want out of life. Find out what you want to do and what you want to live for, and then do just that. Don’t hesitate to take advice from others, and definitely don’t be afraid to seek advice from Christ. He will give it to you if you ask. Lastly, always remember to take it easy once in a while. Good luck with your firstyear; I hope it’s a blast.-Ryan Cobb

Need help studying? Have a special need? Want someone to listen? NO PROBLEM! The Cushing Center for Academic Support (CCAS) is located in the third floor of Walton Hall. All students are welcome, not only students below the academic average. Someone should have told me that.I have always been an average student. In my sophomore year, I was suffering from test anxiety caused by stress. I assumed that the CCAS office was for students performing below average. I swallowed my pride anyway and slowly climbed the staircases to the CCAS office. I needed help.I had two meetings with Dr. Lisa Hemlick, the director of CCAS. She recommended that I take tests in the CCAS office in a room by myself, eliminating distractions.Finally, a solution!Dr. Hemlick never judged me; she allowed me to escape from my dorm room and release my burdens. Multiple times in the past year, I have recommended the CCAS office to my friends.So lay down your pride. Use your resources. Do not dismiss them because you feel you are too good for them. Whether you are suffering from test anxiety, family problems, drama with friends or even writing troubles, the CCAS office has an open door for you.-Chelsea Zimmerman

In the midst of multiple trips to Bed, Bath & Beyond for college supplies, the long list of questions I fired at Eastern’s administration and the first nervous conversation with my future roommate, my dad gave me these three recommendations for college. 1.Find like-minded friends to offer support and to mold you. 2.Find people with whom you disagree yet still try to understand why they think that way. 3.Finally, find a professor who can be your mentor. Surround yourself with wise people to discuss questions with you and to counsel you. My like-minded friends have sharpened me by spurring me on to love God, His truth and His creation. I’ve discovered that people with whom I disagree don’t often fit my stereotypes, and their positions are often closer to mine than I first thought.Lastly, finding insightful professors has helped me to learn from older generations instead of getting stuck in the limitations of my own youthful ignorance. Thanks, Dad!-Allison Duncan