It’s no secret that the first-year is complicated; students get lost in the hallways, some struggle to make friends, and others find it hard to adapt to work-study life.
Three AUA seniors have been through it all. They share their experiences and give insightful advice that they wish they had known in their first year.
Arsen Avetisyan, a BAB senior, emphasizes the importance of networking and making new friends at AUA. “One of the most important things for me at AUA was networking,” says Arsen. “Get acquainted with new people and make new friends, as they will help you in those four years of your study.”
Another piece of advice that Arsen provides is to apply for internships if students have enough time. AUA helps students in their search for internships and keeps them informed about every opportunity. “Internships are the primary source of practical knowledge, which is gained outside the university,” asserts Arsen. “As time passes quickly, students will have less time for internships in their junior and senior years. Don’t miss your opportunities!”
Apart from internships, Arsen advises students to participate in all the fun and exciting events that AUA offers: exchange programs, job vacancies, lectures with founders of companies, panel discussions with ambassadors, and more. “These are the things that will be more difficult to accomplish after graduating,” continues Arsen.
Juggling work and classes can be quite a challenge. For instance, when work becomes a priority, students overwhelmingly face difficulties in submitting their assignments on time.
Elen Babayan, a CS senior, struggled to maintain a consistent work-study balance in her first year. “One thing I wish I had known before as a freshman is to appreciate the period when I wasn’t working and could dedicate all my free time to studying,” says Elen. “Once I got a job, my priorities changed completely, and now I don’t have the freedom to study as much as I wish, no matter how badly I want to.”
Elen believes that students should focus solely on their classes during their first and second years. “Enjoy the experience at AUA, then get a job,” she suggests.
Anna Andreasyan, an EC senior, believes that it’s important for students to benefit from every class as much as they can, explore, and learn something new every day. “Take this experience as an opportunity of exploring,” says Anna. “It is the most fascinating thing when you end up in classes where your views are challenged and you learn something unexpected.”
The first-year experience can vary among students. It doesn’t seem easy, from applying to jobs to balancing work and education and making friends.
If students struggle to keep up with everything, they can always reach out to the supportive community at AUA, including students, faculty, and staff members.
