1 . “Anybody has a bandage?” a voice echoed down the dorm hallway. It was our first week at college and we were all experiencing “forgot-it-itis.” I had forgotten to bring my favorite snacks. Some poor girl on the wing had obviously forgotten bandages. We all felt a little displaced.

Several months before, I sat at my high school graduation party admiring my gifts and battling waves of post-high school sadness. The usual and inspirational books were spread around my feet, silently offering the wealth of wisdom they wished to share. They would repeatedly show their givers’ thoughtfulness over and over during my college career.

But one gift struck me as strange. I frowned when I opened it. Medicine? A small packet of pills and creams lay within the wrappings. Who would give that as a gift? “You’ll need that once you’re at school,” Mom pointed out. “You won’t have to chase down the campus nurse for every cough.”

Not long after, in August, I packed my life into a borrowed truck and put the bag of medicine in with my toiletries (洗漱用品). I hardly thought about it once I reached campus, being busy unpacking, buying books, scheduling and meeting new friends.

When “anybody has a bandage?” rang out in the dormitory hall that day, I remembered my little medicinal package. “Actually,” I gave a little wave, “I have one.” “Great,” my new wing-mate replied. As I dug out the kit, we began to chat.

Soon, many of the other girls on the wing heard of my little kit and paid me a visit. One had bug bites and anti-itch cream popped out of my supply. The wing-mate with the headache nearly kissed my hands when I passed her simple painkillers. As cold season approached, many needed cough drops. Each girl stayed to chat for a few moments.

The little gift I had questioned led me toward new friendships. As it broke fevers, it also broke the ice, allowing me to meet and befriend many on the wing.

3 . I am always confused when reading statements like “Princeton University is the number one college in the United States.” Are those who attend Princeton inherently brighter than their peers?     1     Or is Princeton the best across all academic subjects overall?

I didn’t care about college rankings for years until I recently saw something different. This past October, Shanghai Ranking Consultancy unveiled the Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2023, which assesses universities worldwide across 55 subjects in five disciplines.     2     And this makes it easier for prospective students to choose the best college for their specific subject.

    3     When I delved deeper into the methodology behind these rankings, I discovered a complex web of criteria, including academic reputation, research output, and international collaboration.     4     However, they do not capture the entirety of the college experience. Factors like campus culture, extracurricular opportunities, and faculty-student interactions can profoundly shape your undergraduate years, yet they often remain unquantifiable in ranking systems.

    5     What may be the ideal environment for one student pursuing engineering might not suit another studying literature. It’s crucial to consider your personal preferences, career aspirations, and learning style when evaluating potential colleges. While prestigious universities may offer unparalleled resources and networking opportunities, a smaller, lesser-known college might provide a more nurturing and supportive environment for your individual growth and development. Ultimately, the best college for you is the one that aligns with your values, ambitions, and vision for the future.

8 . Beyond the classroom, the US provides various job opportunities that allow students to gain practical experience, earn income and enhance their skill sets. Here are some of the diverse employment avenues available for international students while attending university in the US.

Many US universities offer on-campus employment opportunities for international students, providing a convenient and accessible way to earn income while pursuing their studies. These positions may include roles in libraries, administrative offices, student centers, or even research assistantships within academic departments. On-campus employment is typically limited to 20 hours per week during the academic year, allowing students to balance work and study commitments.

Off-campus employment opportunities are also available, although with certain restrictions. The two primary categories of off-campus employment are optional practical training (OPT)and curricular practical training (CPT). OPT allows students to work in their field of study for up to 12 months (or 24 months for STEM fields)after graduation, providing valuable real-world experience. CPT, on the other hand, permits students to engage in practical training directly related to their academic program while still attending their university.

Many US universities have robust internship and cooperative education programs that connect students with industry partners. These programs offer international students the chance to apply classroom knowledge in professional settings, fostering skill development and industry connections. Internships, whether paid or unpaid, are valuable stepping stones that often lead to full-time employment opportunities after graduation.

For students pursuing advanced degrees, research assistantships provide a unique opportunity to work closely with faculty on cutting-edge research projects. These positions not only contribute to academic and professional growth but also offer financial backing. Research assistantships can be found in various disciplines, including science, engineering, social sciences and humanities.

9 . Dear Fresher, joining a university can be a pleasant but challenging experience: horrific and yet beautiful, scary but exciting.     1    

Do not panic if, like me, you do not make friends on the first day or week. Before I met Sanaa, I had tried to force myself to make friends with classmates in my other majors. Then I was starting to get convinced that there was something wrong with me.     2     Eventually, when I started making more friends, it made sense why the friendships I had forced did not work out. It was my first lesson in understanding my uniqueness, and reminding me that my “friends” are somewhere, out there.     3    

So, dear Fresher, as I say welcome to university life, I am also saying, give yourself time-to understand your school, your course, and your new rhythm of life. Do not fall into the trap of people-pleasing to fit in.

    4     Of course, you must leave room to grow and breathe- to discover amazing cultures, new accents, and new ways of matching your clothes-but do not do anything that needs you to abandon your genuine self in order to become.

Finally, it might not look like it, but the four, five, or six years you will be in university will pass by really quickly.     5    Perhaps that is DIYs, writing blog posts, participating in club activities in your department, or joining the dance troupe.

So, dear Fresher, go forward, and leave your mark! You will be surprised at how much experience that will contribute to your CV.