From a soon-to-be Penn alum, here are 29 tips to help you in your time at Penn. Congratulations to the Class of 2029!
Photo Credit: Emma McClure
By Chloe Hunt
1. Find your space on-campus or off-campus. Once you get to college, you might find yourself constantly immersed in Penn’s bustling social scene. As someone who loved their downtime, I found myself struggling freshman year with finding a space besides my dorm room to just decompress and chill. Once you arrive at Penn, search for a spot (or a few spots) that you can call your own. Whether it’s a cozy corner of the library or a cafe off campus, find somewhere you can breathe.
2. Go to Penn-sponsored events. Go to Penn-sanctioned stuff. Whether it’s a class board event with free food or a student-run advising session on course planning, these events are worthwhile. Penn brings so many incredible individuals to campus–including actors, scholars, practitioners, etc. Many of these events are free, or close to it. Be sure to check out what Penn has going on and make the most of it. This includes going to a famous freshmen event that might sound silly, but that’s super fun – Econ Scream.
3. Pretend Penn is a state school. Ok, I’m sort of joking, but let me tell you what I mean. At state schools, school spirit runs high. Students go to sporting events and cheer on their classmates. Here, small segments of students go to the games and our stands aren’t full. My tip for your class is to not skimp on attending our sporting events! Your fellow students are super talented, on and off the field.
4. Figure out how to pass/fail a class. And don’t be ashamed of doing it. On the whole, academics at Penn are going to be hard. Don’t worry too much, you’ll get through it! But, someday you may have to make the decision of whether keeping a class is worth the risk or if changing it to pass/fail or a withdrawal is better. If you want to stay in the class, but are worried that your grade will affect your GPA, do not be afraid to take a knee and take the course Pass/Fail.
5. Download Penn apps. And Sidechat. As you prepare to spend the next four years here, you’ll want to be infused into Penn life with all the key apps. This means Penn Dining, Penn Recreation, Penn Mobile etc. These apps let you stay up-to-date with what workout classes are at the campus gym and what’s on the dining hall menu. Don’t forget to download Sidechat too. Sidechat is an anonymous app where students post about everything from their latest grievances on campus to comments about what’s happening in Philly. Thank me later.
6. Use Google (or Apple) Calendar. For the first time in your life, you won’t have a set schedule every day. For many Penn students, this was a tough adjustment. In high school, I knew where I would be from 8am-3pm, and I had set activities after school. The days of knowing when you’re going to be where are gone. Try to develop a consistent schedule that takes into account your classes, your social life, and everything else you have going on.
7. Don’t overuse Google Calendar. On the flip side, students definitely get into the habit of overscheduling. Don’t feel like you have to schedule each second of your day! Part of the beauty of being human and being in college is that hangouts with friends, study sessions, and walks into the city, etc. can be spontaneous.
8. Get to know your professors. We have the privilege of being taught by very esteemed and accomplished professionals. Be sure to get to know them. One way is through office hours. Penn also has a cool program (Penn Mentor Meals) where you can get lunch with your professors for free. This is a great opportunity to get close to your mentors and favorite professors.
9. Don’t give up your hobbies. My biggest regret at Penn is not involving myself in the arts! I grew up as a huge theatre nerd and loved performing in musical productions in school and within my community. However, once I got to Penn, I thought this would be too big of a time commitment. Don’t let the time commitment or worries about being good enough keep you away from your hobbies and interests outside the classroom.
10. Talk to upperclassmen in your major/who have similar interests. Another big regret, as a soon to be alum, is not talking with the upperclassmen in my major sooner. Now, getting ready to graduate, I often find myself hearing about opportunities at Penn that I had no idea existed. Penn is a big place, so if you can find someone who is similar to you to serve as a mentor or big sister/brother, this will be rewarding in a multitude of ways.
11. Call your family! I love being surrounded by something all the time. At Penn, you’ll find that there are constantly things to do. The downside? It’s easy to go an entire week without texting/calling your family when you’re being pulled in different directions. Whether it’s a quick call or even a text on the way to class, your parents want to know what you’re up to. Keep them in the loop and show your gratitude!
12. Get a good mattress protector and mattress topper. Whoever told you that the twin-sized mattresses in freshman dorms are comfy lied to you. Definitely get both a mattress protector and topper. And maybe even a cheap rug while you are at it. Linoleum does not give off comfy vibes.
13. Don’t get a Canada Goose jacket. In other words, don’t worry about looking a certain way to fit in. Yes, you’ll need a warm winter coat and a wind-resistant umbrella, but focus on function, not image. There’s a tendency at Penn to keep up with certain social crowds—but trust me, you don’t need to. Wear what feels like you, not what you think you should. And this isn’t just about clothes—it’s about staying true to yourself in every way.
14. Travel with Penn. Penn has so many neat opportunities where you can travel for free or close to free! Whether it’s spending your summer abroad interning through GRIP or traveling for a Penn Global Seminar, check out all the ways you can travel with your classmates.
15. Attend traditional Penn events. Some events are simply quintessential to the Penn experience—ones you’ll look back on long after graduation. From Econ Scream and Freshman Gala at the Philly Museum to throwing toast, Spring Fling, Hey Day, U-Night, and Senior Final Toast, these are the moments that make Penn, Penn. Don’t miss out on them for something forgettable!
16. Talk to your friends/peers. If Penn ever feels isolating, know that you’re not alone. Penn has a ton of mental health resources, and even if the University’s resources might have mixed reviews, various student clubs have tons of mental health efforts aimed at keeping students happy and healthy. If you find yourself feeling alone, talk to someone. Talk to your friends, talk to your RA, talk to someone professionally, talk to your family. People are there for you, seriously!
17. Find free stuff on campus. As a college student, you’ll want to find out where to get free food, free printing, free coffee… all that jazz. In fact, there is even a free-food Groupme you can join upon enrolling. If you want the Penn Post to make a list of all these spots, we’ll help out! Otherwise, as you make friends with upperclassmen, be sure to ask them their go-to spots.
18. Immerse yourself in Philly. Philadelphia is an exciting city for food, sports, nightlife, etc. Don’t get too caught up in the Penn bubble– make sure you check out the city and the culture.
19. Don’t skip classes. I know it’s tempting, but often skipping a class dominos and you either fall behind or form a really bad habit. Once again, it’s the first time in your life when your schedule is on you! No one is going to hold you accountable for missing a lecture… or two, or three. So, do everything in your power to go. A big portion of the work in college is just showing up.
20. Get involved in things you like. This might be an obvious one, but join clubs related to your career goals and also your passions, interests, or maybe something you’re curious about. There is so much to do here that will allow you to develop skills and make friends. Not every club you join has to be academic or professional.
21. Be okay doing what’s right for you. The lifestyle at Penn can prime students towards certain internships, spending habits, fashion, and career choices. You don’t have to look like the average Penn student. In many ways, Penn will make you better, but being at a school with enormous amounts of capital, intellectual and otherwise, you might feel like you’re not doing enough. The quick answer? You’re doing enough, and you should do what’s right for you. You don’t have to eat out for every meal or take a luxurious spring break. You can do what gives you happiness and fulfillment, and if that doesn’t look like what others are doing, that’s alright.
22. Avoid “Imposter Syndrome”. Similar to number 16, Penn is filled with lots of incredible, accomplished students. Think about it–Penn brings together kids who are the best and brightest and who stand out in different ways. When you get here, you’ll see that your peers are motivated and ambitious and all driven in some form. This might make you feel inadequate. Don’t fall into this trap! You’re here for a reason and you deserve to be here. Congratulations again!
23. Bring your hometown friends and family to Philly. As you start meeting new friends at college, it can be easy to lose touch with your friends from high school or contact your family less. If it’s possible, invite them to Penn for a weekend!
24. Know when to call it a night. We’re the “Social Ivy,” and you’ll see that we live up to it. If you’re a social butterfly, you’ll find there’s always something to do. Be sure to know your limits. You don’t have to go to every social event. If you’re tired and feel like you’re not getting enough sleep, don’t go out. Listen to your body!
25. Have a clementine! I don’t care if this tip seems laughable. There’s a reason it made the list. You’re going to get sick. The “freshmen flu” is a real, horrible phenomenon that, unless you’ve been to a lot of summer camps, you’re probably going to get. So, be sure to take care of your health. This means eating well and loading up on Vitamin C. It can be tempting to skip meals and use all your dining dollars on Starbucks, but for your sake, try to be healthy and eat some balanced meals
26. Apply again and try again. Rejection is a key part of the Penn experience. Whether it’s rejection from a club or social rejection in some form, don’t be ashamed to try again. Penn can be a weird place where you aren’t guaranteed a spot in everything. Say you get rejected from an opportunity on campus you were super excited about, don’t get discouraged. Apply and try again.
27. Practice wellness and balance. This includes physical, mental, and emotional wellness. As you get stressed around midterm season, you’ll feel tempted to burrow yourself into the library and develop bad habits. Try your hardest to do things that make your body feel good and that keep you happy and healthy! Touch grass and get some fresh air even when you feel like you have an endless amount of work to get done.
28. Join and read The Pennsylvania Post. Student journalism is really cool. Why? At Penn, there’s always something going on. You’re never going to know half the things that are going on at the University or with your classmates. The newspaper lets you learn about the University in a unique, special way! You also can develop crucial writing, interviewing, and reporting skills that will make you stronger, no matter what your desired field is. We aren’t just looking for writers—if you’re interested in web design, marketing, data, tech, finance, editing, etc., there’s a place for you here at Penn Post.
29. Get ready for the best years of your life! Okay, they may not actually be the best years of your life. But make the most of every single second. For the first time in your life, you’ll be surrounded by people from all over the world who are driven and motivated. You’ll meet lifelong friends and get to spend the next four years in a world-class city at a world-class university. Get psyched!
Chloe Hunt is a senior in the College studying Creative Writing, Hispanic Studies, and Political Science from Roanoke, VA. Chloe is also the Opinion Editor for The Pennsylvania Post. Her email is chloemwh@sas.upenn.edu.
