Skip to main content
Southeast Missouri State University
Audience  Search  Menu 

You are here:

  1. Home
  2. Blog
  3. Need to Know Tips for Your Freshman Year of College | SEMO

Need to Know Tips for Your Freshman Year of College

Continue to main content
  • Conquering College,
  • Take It From Us
Published: June 22, 2021

Share Options

  • Share to Twitter
  • Share to Facebook
  • Share to Linkedin

So you’re coming to Southeast. Congratulations! Here are a few tips on how to really get the most out your college experience from the start.

Stay on campus the first weekend

via GIPHY
After move in, everyone will be trying to get settled and familiarize themselves with their surroundings. That includes getting to know neighbors, classmates, and other students! It’s the perfect time to make friends.

Leave your dorm room door open

via GIPHY
We know, it’s a little intimidating when you first arrive and unpack. Resist the urge to shut yourself off from everyone else, and keep your door open! You never know, your future best friend might stop by!

Sign up for things that interest you right away 

via GIPHY
If something looks fun and new, sign up for it! College experiences and organizations can introduce you to new people, new hobbies, and maybe even a new career path!

Do your homework ASAP

via GIPHY
We know, it’s hard to come straight from class and then jump right into homework. However, it’s even harder to do homework at 2 a.m. after you’ve watched six episodes of that new series.

Keep up with events on campus and go to them

via GIPHY
There’s always something going on around campus. Follow the university social media, read the Arrow, and check out the Southeast Calendar on Southeast’s website. You never know, you might be able to hold a puppy today.

Explore Categories

  • Why Southeast?
  • Becoming a Redhawk
  • Southeast Services
  • Conquering College
  • Your Best Years
  • Take It From Us
  • Online

Site Menu

Southeast Missouri State University

Secondary

  • Apply
  • Visit
  • Request Info
  • Give

Site

  • Academics
    • Program Finder
    • Undergraduate
    • Graduate
    • Online
    • Early College Programs
    • Study Abroad
    • Research
    • Honors Program
  • Admissions & Aid
    • Admission Requirements
    • How to Apply
    • Paying for College
    • Visiting SEMO
    • Admission Events
    • Meet the Team
  • Life at SEMO
    • Living on Campus
    • Dining
    • Student Life
    • Events
    • Traditions
    • Cape Girardeau
  • Student Support
    • Academic Support
    • Career Support
    • Health & Wellness
    • Financial Services
    • Dean of Students
    • Military & Veteran Services

Secondary

  • Apply
  • Visit
  • Request Info
  • Give

Quick Links

  • About
  • News
  • Blog
  • SEMO Online
  • Economic & Workforce Development
  • Colleges & Departments
  • Offices & Services
  • People Directory
  • Athletics
  • University Foundation
  • En Español
  • Institutional Data

Audience Links

Southeast Missouri State University

Resources for you.

  • Current Students
  • Parents & Families
  • Accepted Students
  • Counselors
  • Alumni
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Donors
  • Community Partners

Info For:

  • Current Students
  • Parents & Families
  • Accepted Students
  • Counselors
  • Alumni
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Donors
  • Community Partners

Current Students Resources for you

Featured Links

  • Canvas
  • mySEMO
  • Email
  • SupportNET
  • University Calendar
  • Campus Map
  • Office Directory
  • People Directory
  • People Search
  • University Closings

Academics

  • Program Finder
  • Academic Calendar
  • Academic Advising
  • Academics
  • Course Catalog
  • Register for Classes
  • Registrar
  • Help Desk
  • Kent Library

Paying for College

  • Pay My Bill
  • Financial Services
  • Student Employment
  • Financial Calendar

Student Life

  • Apply for Housing
  • Residence Hall Association
  • Student Transportation
  • Dining
  • Dean of Students

Career Services

  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Handshake Jobs
  • Resources
  • Events

Parents & Families Resources for you

Featured Links

  • Family/Parents
  • Family Weekend
  • About Southeast
  • Campus Map
  • Academic Calendar
  • Office Directory
  • People Directory

Your Student

  • Admissions
  • New Student Programs
  • Opening Week
  • Financial Services
  • Residence Life
  • Academic Support
  • Health and Wellness
  • Dean of Students
  • Department of Public Safety

Accepted Students Resources for you

Featured Links

  • Admissions
  • Camp Redhawk
  • Engage in 8
  • First Step
  • First Year Experience
  • New Student Programs
  • Textbook Rental
  • University Calendar

Academic Advising

  • Academic Calendar
  • Program Finder
  • Schedule an Appointment

Career Services

  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Handshake Jobs

Paying for College

  • Financial Aid
  • Scholarships
  • Payments

Student Life

  • Apply for Housing
  • Residence Life
  • Dining
  • Student Orgnizations

Counselors Resources for you

Featured Links

  • Office of Admissions
  • Find My Admissions Counselor
  • Counselor Resources
  • Early College Programs

Applying to SEMO

  • Admissions Requirements
  • How to Apply
  • Deadlines
  • Test Optional

Financial Aid

  • FAFSA
  • SEMO Scholarships
  • Cost and Affordability

Launching Careers

  • Academics
  • Outcomes
  • Career Services

Alumni Resources for you

Featured Links

  • Alumni Association
  • Update Your Information
  • Share Your Story
  • Employment
  • Office Directory
  • Southeast News
  • People Directory

Get Connected

  • Alumni Events
  • Campus Events
  • Show SEMO Spirit

Give Back

  • Giving to SEMO
  • Get Involved
  • Annual Fund

Faculty & Staff Resources for you

Featured Links

  • Profile Spotlight Form
  • Offices and Services
  • People Directory
  • People Search
  • mySEMO
  • Email
  • Academic Calendar
  • University Calendar
  • Campus Map
  • SupportNET
  • Kent Library
  • Human Resources
  • Training and Development
  • University Closings
  • SE Alerts
  • Web Change Request
  • Southeast News

Faculty Resources

  • Faculty Senate
  • Canvas
  • Center for Teaching and Learning

Staff Resources

  • Professional Staff Council
  • CTS Staff Council

Facilities

  • Work Order/Order Supplies Request
  • Central Receiving

Donors Resources for you

Featured Links

  • Giving to SEMO
  • University Foundation
  • Office Directory
  • People Directory

Making an Impact

  • Student Stories
  • Ways to Give
  • Student Emergency Fund
  • Get Involved

Connecting with SEMO

  • Alumni Association
  • Alumni Events
  • Academics
  • Redhawk Athletics

Community Partners Resources for you

Featured Links

  • Economic and Workforce Development
  • Skill Development
  • Factbook
  • About Southeast
  • Career Services
  • University Foundation
  • University Communications
  • People Directory
  • People Search

Workforce Development

  • Small Business and Technology Development Center
  • SEMO Online
  • Regional Professional Development Center
  • Alumni Association

Community Service

  • Southeast Serves
  • Office of Campus Life
  • Office of Greek Life
  • Redhawk Athletics

Media Inquiries

  • Southeast News
  • Redhawk Sports Information

One University Plaza Cape Girardeau, MO 63701

(573) 651-2000
Contact Us

Social

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube

Campuses

  • Cape Girardeau
  • River Campus
  • Kennett
  • Sikeston

Campus Links

  • News
  • Athletics
  • Events
  • Blog
  • Accreditations
  • Show Me Center

Social

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube

Footer

  • Employment
  • Accessibility
  • Nondiscrimination Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosures
  • Sunshine Law

© 2025 SEMO