Excited about starting college? A little nervous? Both feelings are normal, explain members of Syracuse University’s student leadership team.
Orientation Leaders Isa Panisse Cruz ’28, Giuliana Girgenti ’28, CeCe Stampas ’29 and Zeke Whitley ’29 got candid about first-year life at a recent New Student Programs event.
How was the reality of your first year at Syracuse different from your expectations of it?
“Syracuse has helped me define my path,” says Giuliana Girgenti (third from left), an international relations major.
Giuliana: It took me a while to strike a balance between my academic life and my social life. Syracuse has been a series of experiences designed to help me grow and define my path.
CeCe: I quickly realized that I couldn’t maintain a high school-style schedule at Syracuse. I discovered many services and resources, including those pertaining to time management, through the Center for Student Excellence.
How did you pivot when things didn’t go as planned?
New students congregate on the steps of Hendricks Chapel. “Some people find their best friend on the first day of college; others, much later,” says Isa Panisse Cruz, who majors in computer art and animation.
Guiliana: Enduring change can be as hard as embracing change. Nobody’s perfect, but you can achieve excellence through tiny tweaks.
CeCe: I used to call my mom every day, mainly to debrief and get a fresh perspective on things. I’ve since created a support system at Syracuse because everyone, including faculty and staff, is so accessible.
Zeke: The University offers many digital resources for student success, from Blackboard and Degree Works [supporting academics] to Handshake [professional development] to Headspace [health and wellness]. All of them have been invaluable to me.
What advice do you have about friendships and relationships?
Economics major CeCe Stampas (second from right) and Chancellor Michael Haynie at a New Student Orientation.
Isa: Be patient. Some people find their best friend on the first day of college; others, much later. Also, people sometimes drift apart. It’s nothing personal; every relationship is different. Don’t force anything, including friendships.
Giuliana: Communication is key—whether interacting with your roommate, your professors, or your friends and family members back home. A simple, straightforward conversation accomplishes a lot.
Cece: Establish boundaries with others. There are different kinds of boundaries, like emotional, physical, financial and time-related ones. They not only protect your well-being but also reduce resentment and co-dependency.
What was your biggest first-year “aha” moment?
Otto the Orange, the University’s beloved mascot, welcomes new students during orientation.
Zeke: Keeping busy is good, but you can’t do it all. I learned to make time for myself, to occasionally say “no” to extracurriculars and social commitments. Self-care is critical.
CeCe: I had two. The fact I was at Syracuse didn’t sink in until I was in an introductory law course. One day, I looked around at my classmates and thought to myself, “I did it. I’m finally here.” Afterward, Otto the Orange wished me a happy birthday.
Name a few hidden gems on campus.
The Einhorn Family Walk offers many spaces for students to meet and relax.
Giuliana: Pet therapy opportunities at the Barnes Center at The Arch.
Isa: The free campus shuttle service, including ’Cuse Trolleys.
Zeke: The Barner-McDuffie House, which is part of the Intercultural Collective.
What advice would you give to your first-year self?
“Keeping busy is good, but you can’t do it all, “ says computer science major Zeke Whitley (right) regarding first-year college life. “Self-care is critical.”
Giuliana: Take on only what you can handle, and if you want to improve yourself, do so a little at a time. Don’t try to be someone you’re not.
CeCe: Have a “yes” mindset. Regardless of who you are and where you’re from, know that you’ve got this. Everyone at Syracuse wants you to succeed.
