The first steps students take on campus at Kalamazoo College are filled with excitement and anticipation for what lies ahead. Yet being away from home for the first time can be challenging, too, especially when longtime friends, family members and other sympathetic voices seem far away.
Economics and business majors Sage Lewis and Michael Robertson, both Class of 2025, know what that’s like. As first-year students, Sage arrived at K from Arizona and Michael from Tennessee. As a result of their experiences—and because they care about their peers—the two are among 23 helpful First-Year Experience (FYE) mentors, one transfer student mentor and one visiting international student mentor this fall, who will get to know incoming students from their first day of orientation onward through the academic year.
As new students arrive for orientation, FYE mentors—consisting of sophomores, juniors and seniors—get to know them while building community and friendships, so everyone can feel safe and comfortable in their new environment. Sage, Michael and the other FYE mentors will be available at every stage of orientation with activities ranging from traditional icebreakers, meals, discussions about academic life, a game night and home athletics events to learning about music ensembles, theatre groups and sustainability-focused opportunities on campus.
One FYE mentor is also assigned to each First-Year Seminar course, providing an experienced peer, who can guide students through academic, social and personal issues as they arise day or night. First-Year Seminar courses are part of the K-Plan, K’s liberal arts and sciences curriculum. The courses are designed to help orient students to college-level learning practices, combining collaborative and group work, effective research strategies and discussions with mentors maintaining formal roles as contacts through Week Six of the fall term. As FYE mentors, Sage and Michael have a few tips to offer new students as they begin orientation:
- Meet new people.
“Coming to K was a bit of a culture shock for me,” Michael said. “I thought it was good to meet a lot of new people in my first year because it expanded my horizons. Had I not done that I might not be here today.”
“My dad had a flight back right away so he left me after I first arrived and orientation was scary,” Sage said. “I tell people it helps to get to know their mentors. I just love working with the students. I’ve gotten close with a few my mentees and I live with one from my sophomore year right now. It helps me expand my own horizons as well as theirs.”
- Find activities on campus and try new things.
“I didn’t do LandSea, so I got here when orientation started my first year,” Sage said. “It really helped me to get involved. I started working in the Office of Student Activities and it was super fun. That’s really where I found my place. The faculty and staff have always been nice and that made me want to work with them more.”
“I think K has great resources, and it’s important to pursue them no matter what you’re studying,” Michael said. “Just go outside whatever seminar you’re in and meet someone new or someone who has a different background than you. Maybe they have a different hobby or interest that allows you to try new things.”
- Discover the city.
“I think downtown Kalamazoo is really cute, and I love that it’s walkable from K,” Sage said. “It’s just a great city. It’s super cool being from Arizona and seeing all the greenery. It’s definitely different culturally, too, with people in the Midwest because they’re very nice.”
“Before I had a car, I walked everywhere,” Michael said. “Other people when they went to school asked, ‘Aren’t you worried about being late?’ And I said, ‘no, everything is just right down the street.’ That’s really a blessing. I’m super thankful for the size of the town, the school, downtown and all over. Everything is close by.”
- Mentors are assets.
Mentors are great people to get know because of their past experiences and how they hope to help guide new students. They can provide advice on navigating campus resources, managing time, and making connections. Make sure you seek them out when Orientation begins with move-in day on September 11.
“I know it’s difficult being away from your parents after a certain amount of time, so I just want to be there for other students, and not just the ones from out of state,” Michael said. “I want to help people and make that transition to college life easier.”
“I try to be open, welcoming and calm so first-year students know I’m approachable,” Sage said. “I think finding a way to be personable makes it more fun for everybody.”