Advice from Student Advisers

“Good habits are hard to form. They’re totally worth it though. Do your homework in the same place at the same time every day. Don’t fall off the wagon!”
 
“Different people study in different ways. Figure out what’s best for you, and don’t be afraid to study in a bathrobe while dancing to the Backstreet Boys if that’s what works.”
— Yonah Biers-Ariel

“Don’t have too many expectations going into your first year at Whitman. Know that you’re going to learn more about yourself than you could ever imagine. I would never have been able to predict how my year would go – so just have fun and learn as you go, you don’t have to figure everything out right away!”
— Gabie Brosas

“Discovering the way you can think and contribute uniquely is one of the trickiest adjustments to college, but also one of the most exciting. Both in class and out, invest yourself in what you do and find a way to make it your own.”
— Mary Christensen

The Dalai Lama said, “Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck. Spend some time alone every day. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.”
— Lindsey Holdren

Grace Murray Hopper said, “A ship in port is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.” Whitman is a safe space to push your limits and explore. Venture out of your comfort zone, and you will surprise yourself. It is not so much about success or failure as it is about discovering and pursuing what inspires you – and learning to appreciate what does not.
— Ruth Hwang

“College is all about balancing work and play. Work too hard, and you’ll burn yourself out. Play too hard, and you’ll fall behind. Take study breaks to do the things you love: go for a run, play an instrument, hang out with friends, or catch up on a TV show. When you think of having fun as a study break, it doesn’t have to take away from your academics; it actually enhances them"
— Emily Krause

“Listen to the wise words of Shel Silverstein: ’Listen to the mustn’ts, child. Listen to the don’ts. Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me… Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.”
— Brian Lewis

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us"
— Gandalf, Lord of the Rings J.R.R. Tolkien

“Follow the example of Gandalf and stay on top of your studies by deciding how to use your time appropriately. Plan out when to study and when not to. And remember balance is essential.”
— Zane MacPhee

“Attitude is the key that unlocks your potential. No matter how difficult or cumbersome a problem may seem, approaching the problem with a positive attitude will work wonders.”
— Dylan Martin

“Don’t take on too much your first semester; at first, pick a few activities that really interest you, but remember that there is always time to add more as you get settled into college life. Get ready to nerd out! Be willing to jump into your classes and this environment of learning because you are surrounded by passionate, smart people, and you will get the most out of your education if you are enthusiastic about what you’re learning and how you’re learning it.”
— Halley McCormick

“Don’t worry too much about your grades. Seriously! It’s more important to take risks and try new things. You’ll learn a lot from the experiences you have in college, and what really matters is that you find out who you are and what you want out of life. And when you realize that, success will follow naturally, because you are putting so much passion and effort into your work. Be true to yourself.”
— Miriam Moran

“Your first year of college is the start of a new chapter, so take the opportunity to do some soul-searching: spend some time considering what makes you happy, how you can challenge yourself, where you want to go in life, and what steps you can take to get you there.”
— Madison Munn

Manage your time wisely - you don’t want to have to pull an all-nighter in order to finish an essay. Take it from cartoonist Lynn Johnston: "Not being able to sleep is terrible. You have the misery of having partied all night… without the satisfaction.”
— Matthias Needham

“Make sure you get enough sleep! A full night’s rest can make a world of difference when there is a stressful essay or exam in your near future. I found it helpful to sleep with earplugs, considering my floor was fairly noisy. Also, if presented with an opportunity to finish work early, TAKE IT! It’s a great feeling to be done with your work before dinner, allowing you to dedicate your life to Netflix and other non-academic hobbies that relax you.”
— Grant Rommel

“Maintaining a regular sleep schedule is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. Avoid late night cramming and don’t put essays off until the last moment.”
— Abby Sloan

“Always do your reading. Always. One of the best things you can do for yourself academically is to show up to class prepared. When you walk into the classroom, by being familiar with the material up for discussion you will make the most of your academic experience. At Whitman you have access to a unique classroom environment with incredible professors which you can take advantage of simply by showing up to class prepared. When you are engaging in the classroom daily, exams and papers will be so much easier and you will build rapport with your professors.”
— David Wilson