Greetings and welcome (back) to WSU! As the Interim Vice President for Student Affairs, I’m here—along with all our staff–to help you make the most of your WSU experience. Before the semester really kicks off, here are a few tips for starting off right, whether it’s your very first semester or your last.

Don’t let things slide! Go to every single class (yes, every single class). If that first quiz doesn’t go well, talk to your faculty member right away. The sooner you take some action, the sooner you’ll be back on track. If you wait until you’re really in the hole, with late assignments and sub-par grades, there will be fewer options. Four years seems like a long time, but I promise you, it’s going to fly by.

Similarly, if something is awry with your housing, student life, finances, personal life, or anything else that affects your ability to succeed here at WSU, get help! There are tons of resources available to you, and you’ve already paid for them. You should definitely use them. If you don’t know what your resources are, talk to your RA, your mentor, your academic advisor, a medical professional or counselor at Student Health, or come by and see us in the Dean of Students’ office. We’re in French Ad 134 and welcome visitors between 8 am and 5 pm, Monday through Friday. We can help you make sense of the most complicated situations, and we’ll do our best to make sure you’ve got the tools you need to succeed.

Many of the most interesting things you’ll do while here at WSU are part of Student Affairs. Volunteer through the Center for Civic Engagement, attend an ALLY training through the Gender Identity/Expression Sexual Orientation Resource Center (GIESORC), borrow a book from the Women’s Resource Center, read the award-winning Daily Evergreen every day. Definitely you should consider joining a club or attending a leadership training hosted by Student Involvement. Maybe you’re interested in joining a social Greek letter organization? Check with the Center for Fraternity and Sorority Life. You need to know the Standards of Conduct for Students, so download the Guidebook app from Student Conduct. Plan to attend a program hosted by Residence Life, like the Tunnel of Oppression, to become more financially savvy with resources from the Cougar Money Management Program, and to support Cougs with disabilities through the peer mentor program at the Access Center. Try a new fitness program at the Student Recreation Center, or join an intermural team or sports club—anything from inner-tube water polo to cricket. Whatever way you choose, connect with WSU and the fantastic faculty, staff, and your fellow students here.

The one thing that I wish I had done when I was in college was ask for help sooner than I did. I flunked out my first semester of college. . . and why? I was uninformed, embarrassed, and stuck. If you’re in a complicated mess and don’t know how to get untangled, come by and see us. We know what that’s like, and we know how to help. If you are struggling to find your place at WSU, talk to somebody in Student Affairs. We’re here to help you succeed.

Take care of each other and Go Cougs!