I just want to give you the warmest welcome on being accepted to Rutgers—Camden and joining our Scarlet Raptor family! Your future is going to be so bright here at Rutgers, so I hope you’re more excited than nervous! As crazy as it sounds, your next few years will fly by so fast and next thing you know you’ll be taking graduation pictures all over again. As I complete my final papers and exams, I can’t help but reflect on my time here at Rutgers—Camden and honestly, I would do it all over again. So I wanted to pass on my two best pieces of advice to you, so you can maximize your college experience here and love every moment.
Money doesn’t grow on trees.
Remember that going to college is an investment! Whether it be tuition, books, or supplies to ensure your success, having a source of income would be helpful. Getting my first big kid job here at Rutgers—Camden really set me up for success because I was able to pay for my tuition with minimal debt and I feel extra proud of my accomplishments because I know that I took on new responsibilities and challenges where I came out on top. The Career Center is a great place to get familiar with on/off campus jobs and internships!
Be open to new things.
A lot is going to change in the next few years for the better, so you might as well try new things while you’re at it! Joining the clubs and organizations like The Raptor Ambassadors or The Filipino League of Innovative Pinoy Students really helped me grow as a person by learning more about myself and making memories along the way. Check out the Engage page and the Rutgers—Camden app for club or campus events to get involved! There’s so many opportunities to have fun and make friends here that there should never be a dull moment.
Rutgers has given me the best college experience I could have ever asked for with unforgettable memories that I will cherish forever. I hope you love Rutgers—Camden as much as I do!
Welcome Scarlet Raptor, enjoy your time here and make the most of it!
Written by Arianna F., a Rutgers—Camden Undergraduate Student and Raptor Ambassador.