Now that the first week of classes is underway and you’re starting to find your new classrooms and make friends, you might be wondering how to make the most of this semester (whether it’s your first or last!) Faculty, staff, and students have chimed in to offer some advice for the year ahead, like embracing discomfort to help you grow, improving your financial literacy, and importantly, carving out your own ways to have fun.
Get money smart
Andrea Cipolla, director of financial aid and scholarships, explains how to get money smart while pursuing a degree: “Being financially responsible is an important aspect of the college experience. Make sure you utilize all the resources available to you. File your FASFA, participate in FinancialSmarts Cash Course to improve your financial awareness and skills, and file the Scholarship Retriever application every year.”
Students and staff chat in the UMBC Career Center. (Brad Ziegler/UMBC)
Take breaths and take charge
Ann Sofie Clemmensen, associate professor in dance and the Linehan Artist Scholars Program director, highlights the importance of taking a breath, just as much as taking charge: “Do not hesitate to ask your professor, a teaching assistant, academic advisor, or a classmate for help, whether that is asking for clarification on an assignment or advice. In college, you cannot take a passive role, so I encourage every student to take charge of their academic trajectory.” She also wants to remind students that, “Inhalation is the source of inspiration, the exhale is the work that follows… so remember to take in deep breaths. Make sure you carve out time and space to breathe.”
Many students take charge of their time at UMBC by signing up for clubs at Involvement Fest. (Brad Ziegler/UMBC)
Clemmensen calls attention to a quote by the American filmmaker, David Lynch: “Ideas are like fish. If you want to catch little fish, you can stay in the shallow water. But if you want to catch the big fish, you’ve got to go deeper. Down deep, the fish are more powerful and more pure.” She explains that, “as a student, I encourage you to check in with yourself to see if you are primarily swimming in shallow water. If so, find the courage and motivation to explore further out.”
Use the resources available
Senior dance major, Madison Kayser, offers her resourceful advice as a transfer student to fellow Retrievers: “Really invest time into using resources and events provided to you by the school. I know it seems pointless, but trust me it makes or breaks your experience in college.”
Students outside the CEI Arena for UMBC’s 2025 Convocation (Kiirstn Pagan ’11/UMBC)
Find the people who motivate you
“Be open minded and explore” is the core of what Tamya Davis, senior psychology and social work double major, wants to remind her fellow students.
“There is a lot to do and experience so trying new things, whether it’s a class or a food, can be really fun. Campus also has a lot happening always so go to different events, different clubs, etc. Never be afraid of being uncomfortable; it just means you have an opportunity to grow.”
Students celebrate the start of the new school year at Convocation. (Kiirstn Pagan ’11/UMBC)
Tamya also highlights the importance of having fun; “The people you meet on campus will definitely make your experience better since you are building community and a support system. As cliché as it sounds, it really helps to have people around you to motivate you and share your passion.”
Kayla Logue ’27 is a 2025 UCM intern and Linehan Scholar who is majoring in dance.
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