Advice from your OL's

Sarah Bray Major: Finance Campus Involvements: President of Bentley University Relay for Life, Women’s Leadership Program, Alpha Phi Class of 202 What do you wish you knew as a first year?I wish I knew how important it was to keep my door open the first few days! Some of my best friends to this day are from my floor in Miller, and I met them because they had their doors open but had no clue where we lived so we kept our door open after that!!

What is a tip you have to succeed in GB112?

To succeed in GB112 it’s so important to build a relationship with your professor, and really make them a mentor for the start of your first year!

Do you have any recommendations on how to prepare for the first day of classes?

My recommendation to prepare for your first day of classes is to try and find out where your classes are and see them before your first day!

Was the first major you chose what you still have?

I switched my major at the start of spring semester during my sophomore year to Finance!

What should a first year do to get involved?

The best way to get involved is to go to the activity fair, walk around the whole thing, and sign up for things that you’re interested in! It’s a great opportunity to meet people and possibly gain leadership experience!

Amelia Blum Major: Marketing Campus Involvements: Phi Sigma Sigma , Bentley’s Entrepreneurship Society, and Undergraduate Admissions Tour Guide Class of 2023 What do you wish you knew as a first year?

As a first year I wish I knew that every one is looking to make friends as much as you are. You may feel like you’re alone because you don’t know anyone, but the beauty of it is that no one knows anyone.

What is a tip you have to succeed in GB112?

Always do ALL of the homework and web assigns even if they’re optional. This is a great way for you to see if you’re understanding the material or not.

Do you have any recommendations on how to prepare for the first day of classes?

For the first day of classes make sure you pick a seat that you like because it will most likely be your seat for the entire semester. If you’re someone that can’t focus in the back row, try finding a seat in the front.

Was the first major you chose what you still have?

I came into Bentley wanting to be a Marketing major, and after completing my first internship I am happy to say that I will be staying a Marketing major.

What should a first year do to get involved?

As a first year try to join a few clubs, weed through them throughout the semester and stick to at least two organizations that you’re really passionate about.

CJ Emery Major: Management Campus Involvements: Men’s rugby and Management student advisory council Class of 2021 What do you wish you knew as a first year?

Most professors are actually really easy to talk to and going to their office hours and making sure they know your name can actually really help you in the long run.

What is a tip you have to succeed in GB112?

Don’t be afraid of asking questions and going to office hours.

Do you have any recommendations on how to prepare for the first day of classes?

On the first day leave a little earlier than usual to make sure you get there early and don’t wear headphones so you can talk to other kids in class and meet people.

Was the first major you chose what you still have?

No I’ve changed my major 4 times.

What should a first year do to get involved?

Join any clubs and orgs you have interest in.

Once you find your people you can focus down you commitments to 1-3 things you really care about?

Avant Kothari Major: Finance Campus Involvements: Freshman Liasion for Bentley Sustainable Investment Group and Real Estate Group Hometown: Fort Lee, NJ Class of 2023 What do you wish you knew as a first year?

I wish I knew that office hours are an important rather than just attending classes.

What is a tip you have to succeed in GB112?

A tip for GB112 is to always participate in class and go to office hours whenever you have a question because professors offer the best guidance and help.

Do you have any recommendations on how to prepare for the first day of classes?

Leave your dorm room 10-15 minutes in advance Was the first major you chose what you still have?

Yes, my major is the same What should a first year do to get involved?

A first year should step out of their comfort zone and experience different things even if they think it’s not worth it.

Erin Looney Major: Economics-Finance Campus Involvements: Head of PR for RHA, work in Student Affairs, on CAB concerts, an honors program Class of 2021 What do you wish you knew as a first-year?

As a first year student I wish I utilized office hours more. Not only do office hours serve as a great resource for academic help, but they also help you connect with your professors on a personal level, which makes class more engaging and can help build your network!

What is a tip you have to succeed in GB 112?

As far as GB goes, ALWAYS do the homework! It may seem daunting at first, especially while you’re adjusting to the college lifestyle, but practice makes perfect! When it comes down to cramming for the exam, all your homework practice will be incredibly beneficial! Also doing work in groups can be a great strategy as your peers may have different insights on how to approach certain problems.

Do you have any recommendations on how to prepare for the first day of classes?

Usually the first day of class is more relaxed than the rest of the semester so don’t stress if you don’t have all your textbooks or forgot a certain folder. One thing that will make your life easier though is branching out! Try to get at least one person’s contact info that way you can communicate about assignments and have a familiar face around campus!

Was the first major your chose what you still have?

Yes! I entered my first year with an intent to be an economics-finance major and I’ve stuck with it until the end! It’s definitely a great major for people who like the theorybased component of economics and the quantitative part of finance. Also the economics department has some awesome professors who really strive to connect with their students:) What should a first year do to get involved?

Well obviously I’m biased but applying to be an OL is a great way to connect with people of all grades, majors, and backgrounds. I would also sign up for as many clubs as possible- even if you don’t stick with it, attending meetings is a great way to connect with people!

A special fun fact about me is that I am graduating in three years instead of four! If you took APs or similar credit-based courses in highschool, see if they will transfer to Bentley! You may be able to use those credits towards courses, reducing your course load or even allowing you to graduate a semester or a year early. Not only does this save you money, but it can allow you to take time off for an internship or job!

Alex Rosenberg Major: Management with an LSM in Global Perspectives Campus Involvements: Bentley Rugby Hometown: Aquinnah, MA Class of 2021

What do you wish you knew as a first year?

I wish I knew first year to apply to as many clubs as possible

What is a tip you have to succeed in GB112?

A tip to succeed in GB112 is to make a study group not out of friends, but out of people you know will apply themselves Do you have any recommendations on how to prepare for the first day of classes?

To prepare for first day of classes just relax and grab yourself a coffee from Einstein’s Was the first major you chose what you still have?

No, I switched from finance to management What should a first year do to get involved?

Talk to as many people as possible regardless of their grade and then stay in touch

Rachel Donnellan Major: Potentially Management Campus involvements: production (concert planning) co-chair on Bentley’s CAB (Campus Activities Board), office assistant in Bentley’s economics department, and Bentley Service Learning

Hometown: Newton, Massachusetts Class of 2023

What do you wish you knew as a first year?

I wish I knew that some of the first people you make acquaintances or friends with may not necessarily be who you stay friends with throughout the rest of freshman year or your time at Bentley and that’s totally okay! When you first start college you are constantly meeting new people and it may sound cheesy but you are trying to find your people and sometimes as time goes on you learn that you may not mesh well with certain people and that is totally normal. Everyone deserves to find a group of friends who they connect with, love spending time with, and feel at home with!

What is a tip you have to succeed in GB112?

I recommend doing every single GB112 homework assignment before each class even if your professor’s policies do not include collecting or grading all of them. All of the textbook accounting/finance problems are very similar to the types of questions you will get on the exam and there is no better way to prepare than doing lots of problems. When you are studying for all of your exams, use a study guide to make sure that you are prepared for all the learning objectives and talk through the answers out loud with a friend or classmate because a good rule of thumb is if you can confidently explain a concept to someone else, then you know it pretty well!

Do you have any recommendations on how to prepare for the first day of classes?

Read through all of the syllabi on Blackboard and be prepared to ask any questions you have about them. Bring a notebook and pen with you to take notes on anything the professor talks about on the first day and introduce yourself to the people around you because it’s a great way to make friends and also have someone to do homework or study with in the future! If you are on campus and in a classroom, sit as close to the front of the room as possible too!

Was the first major you chose what you still have?

I have not declared or am confident I know for sure what my major will be yet, and I also know that I am not the only incoming sophomore in that position. When it comes to choosing a major you need to do what is best for you and everyone has a different path along the way and that may mean switching what you’re majoring in!

What should a first year do to get involved?

I recommend going to the activities fair that Bentley hosts to have an introduction to all of the organizations, teams, Greek life, etc. and then attend a group’s first general body meeting to learn more (If you don’t like it there’s no strings attached usually and you don’t need to go again if you don’t want to! At least you tried it out and can narrow down your interests!). I also recommend going to any sports games, or events and programming that Bentley or clubs have throughout the year whether it is a guest speaker, performance, arts and crafts, etc. and ask someone you know (or don’t know well yet!) to go with you to make new friends.