Firstly, it is important that you have some idea of who I am: I am an anarchist Mexican-American transgender woman. Your experiences here at FAU might vary from mine, but I at least want to pass down whatever advice I can after some years at this school. If some of what I say is reminiscent of the things they say at orientation, I apologize and must mention I never attended orientation.
Know your environment!
It’s weird coming to a new school and not knowing where anything is: when I first got to FAU, I wanted to drop out after a week because I felt so out of place and lonely and not knowing where to go and spend time, where to feel safe and where to get help was part of it. First and foremost, now that you’re a college student, take advantage of it! Need help covering your groceries? Go to the food pantry! Stress of school getting to you? Go to CAPS for free counseling and therapy! Feeling unwell? Go to Student Health Services! All these services are charged as part of your tuition, so you should get the most out of it. Additionally, many museums, public transit, theaters and other institutions offer student discounts so wave around that Owl Card as much as you need to save yourself as much money as you can.
Additionally, a little help in knowing the geography of campus can go a long way. If you’re looking for somewhere quiet to just take a breather, I like to go to the amphitheater next to the Arts and Letters building (East of the Student Union, Southeast of the food court), the rooftop garden at Engineering East (East of the Administration building, South of Innovation Village Apartments) or the community garden (East of IVA, North of FAU High School). If you’re trans or gender nonconforming and need to use the restroom in peace, I recommend the bathrooms in the upper floors of the library, but also I will mention that I have generally had an easy time using the women’s restrooms around campus. Also, sometimes there will be free hardcore/punk shows in the parking garages, so keep an eye out for those as well, if you wanna get into the scene.
Know your responsibilities!
Perhaps this specific piece of advice is belabored, but it bears repeating. Go to your classes, and keep track of your homework! Additionally, you’re likely going to be living with roommates, so do your chores! Putting it plainly, people will like you more if you can prove yourself as a responsible adult, and if you’re having trouble juggling your responsibilities, be honest with yourself and others. There have been many times where I had to reach out to a professor or my friends to seek some additional support for academic, social, or economic difficulties.
Know your local organizations!
The importance of student life is often harped upon by the administration, but it is one of the greatest opportunities you have as a college student. Try to find a student organization or local nonprofit to become a part of (fraternities and sororities also fit into this category, despite my position that they are archaic and chauvinistic organizations at their core). Getting involved in Solidarity at FAU (https://linktr.ee/solidarity.FAU) was one of the primary reasons I stayed at FAU, especially as a queer and trans person. Other organizations that I can recommend include BLISSS (BIPOC LGBTQIA+ Individuals Seeking Safe Spaces), Lavender Alliance, and OutFAU.
Know your people!
This piece of advice is an extension of the above, but it is worth expanding upon. Our modern world often feels lonely and alienating but universitiy can be a place which is an exception to this. By getting involved in student organizations or local organizations, you get the chance to meet people interested in the things you’re interested in as well! I also highly recommend getting to know your professors, especially in your departments. If your professors know you as a person and not just a student, they might be willing to cut you a little more slack, but also it opens up connections that you might not have before; go to your professors’ office hours and chat with them about their discipline, go to your department’s research symposiums, get to know the work of your undergraduate colleagues, graduate TAs, and professors.
Additionally, talk to the people tabling on the Breezeway and go to their events if you’re able, even if you’re not particularly interested in what they’re talking about (I have attended my fair share of conservative college group meetings). Humans are social creatures, and knowing people is how we fundamentally survive and thrive.
