'Berg alumni offer pearls of wisdom for new students

Whether they graduated four decades or four years ago, Heidelberg alumni have been there, done that. They are a great resource for new and returning students. Recently, we asked alumni to share their advice for success with our 300+ incoming students.

Almost to a T, they encourage students to find opportunities to get involved.

Beginning today and continuing through Friday, Aug. 23, we’ll share their pearls of wisdom for the newest members of our community to find their way at the Berg. Check back often and feel free to add your own advice here.

August 16, 2024

Ask a lot of questions. Give yourself time to learn and explore. Get involved on campus. Go to the activities. Go say hi to your neighbors. Get help at the tutoring center if you need help with classes. Your professors are there to help you. Ask for guidance if you aren’t understanding something. Never be afraid to ask for help. There are resources all over. Take extra time for yourself while doing homework. Don't forget self-care while in college. Good luck 👍 💓 ✨️
–    Rhonda Lafferty '06

Try new things! You will never regret auditioning for that show or joining that club, but you might regret missing out.
–    Scooter Austin '24

Don't be afraid to let your personality shine, there will be people that you'll connect with.
–    Gavin Robison '23

Try everything once and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone! This is the perfect time to reinvent yourself and figure out what you enjoy doing. There are so many possibilities on campus and in Tiffin, so give it a shot!
–    Jeanna Fullom '23

August 19, 2024

Go out. Pull the all-nighter. See your family. Leaving college is H A R D. Having your memories & your people to keep you at peace is everything. Don’t miss out on things that make you happy to get a certain grade.
—    Lindsay Helmholtz ’23

Whatever you do, make sure you can look back with no regrets. Seize every opportunity presented to you! Take the risks.
—    Ashley Stewart ’17

Don’t be afraid to try something new! The best thing about college is being able to break out of your own expectations and surprise everyone … even yourself!
—    Mallory Perry ’23

College can feel as though you are driving in a car that has no brakes. It’s important to understand that this is not a time for perfection, but rather a time to learn. This is a “you versus you” race, so do not compare your journey with another’s; you have your own race to win!
—    Katie Emling ’24

Push your comfort level a little more each year and learn how to manage your time (ask for help if you need to).
—    Liliane Frye ’20

August 20, 2024

Embrace challenges and stay adaptable. Every setback is a learning opportunity and a chance to grow. Persistence pays off in the long run.
—    Ainsley Tucker ‘23

Make the most of your involvement! You never know who you’ll meet, and what doors those will open. And most importantly, have fun with everything!
—    Caleb Frye ‘20

Try new things, get involved, and use this time to go out of your comfort zone! Take advantage of the support Heidelberg offers to truly make your experience on campus the best possible.
—    Alyssa Kontak ’18 & ‘22

Try the thing. No matter what your major or ability be curious and try. Try out for the play, try to be a DJ for the radio station, try sports, take the class you're curious about. Heidelberg is a place where people are on your side and will help you to succeed.
—    Gary Steinmetz ‘81

Be involved in anything you can be! Meet all the new people, go out of your comfort zone, and live your best life at the Berg! It’s the best place there is🤍
—    Taylor Wietrzykowski ‘24

Get involved! Heidelberg has a surplus of opportunities for everyone! You have the ability to shape your Heidelberg experience to fit exactly what it is that you’re looking for — take advantage!
—    Isaiah Young ‘24

August 21, 2024

Just be on time show up prepared to learn and ask questions. Challenge yourself to get out of your comfort zones. Finally be honest about yourself, be whom you are not who you think people want you to be. 
—    Keith Kerrigan '97

Make the most of the liberal arts experience & get involved in all aspects of campus life. Take a chance & step out of your comfort zone. You may find you love something you never considered. 
—     Paul Roediger '89

You are the author, protagonist, and editor of your life’s journey. Embrace the journey that you’ll take, including the challenges and joys, lean upon the people that you’ll meet along the way that will help you on that journey, and don’t let anyone or anything hold you back from continuing on your journey. You determine how your story is written - every single part of it!
—    Deidre McVay-Shulmeister '14

Just don’t stay in your comfort zone. Talk with as many people as possible during class, events, etc. You won’t regret it. Also, give it a try to different clubs, especially CRU :).
—    Andre Navas '23

Go to as MANY events on campus as possible. These four years will fly by and you will be wishing that you would have been more involved or wished you went to more things. Enjoy every minute of it!
—    Kaitlynn Esquibel '20

That first year, try to stay at the Berg for the weekends. It will be tempting to go home, but friendships will form and grow on weekends and amazing memories will be made.
—    Shannon Lichty '06

August 22, 2024

Talk with your professors outside of class whether you have a question about the course material or not. You never know what common interests you have with them until you talk with them. Chatting with them builds a relationship that will help you do well in class, help you navigate towards graduation, and launch you into your life after the Berg.
—    Matt Bloom '23

Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Treasure every moment with those around you. Go to bed at a decent time.
—    Natalie Joritz '24

Stay on campus as much as possible.
—    Ben Neiberlein '24

Be yourself and don't be afraid to ask for help in whatever life throws at you! You've got this! Have a great year!
—    Mark Delanis '85

Have fun, it’s the best time of your lives! Get involved on campus, the friends you meet in college will last a lifetime!! 
—    Bailee (Falukner) Deaver '21

Say yes!! Go to the campus events, join the clubs, go to the games, join Greek life. The best thing about Heidelberg is how many opportunities there are to get involved.
—    Taylor Wojo '16

August 23, 2024

Take advantage of every and any opportunity offered to you on campus! When professors talk about resources, use them, such as the writing center in Beeghly Library, the Owen Center, or CNIT. You may think that you don’t actually need these resources but trust me, you do. Get involved! I saw people come and go from campus but the ones who have the most fun and stick around the longest are the most involved students on campus. Even if it’s just one social group or special interest group, your time at Heidelberg will be exponentially better. Don’t get discouraged! University is hard and expensive but don’t give up! Even if that means taking extra time or changing your plans completely, the search for knowledge is always worth the battle. Lastly, take a moment, breathe and say to yourself every now and then “if this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.” You’ll never be at this moment of your life again, enjoy the ride.
—   Robert Atha ’00

If you have the opportunity to walk across fire (hot coals, really), do it. Take a walk outside of your comfort zone.
—   Rebecca Hoover ’20

Go to the HeidelBean. I named it and got to take a photo with the president. It was cool. Don't be afraid to be yourself and do what makes you happy. I submitted a funny name for the new coffee shop on campus and it ended up winning. Sometimes, being yourself is good enough. 
—   James Jacobs ’20

Be active on campus! Join as many groups as you can, attend as many events (sports, BEC, etc) as you can! Push yourself to be uncomfortable and you will grow and make the best memories! 
—   Kelsie Vaske ’16 & ‘21

Don’t be afraid to get involved on campus! Heidelberg offers a wide variety of clubs, Greek life, and honoraries. There is something for everyone!
—   Ashley Mermolia ’20