Purdue Essentials for Incoming Freshmen: What You Need to Know

By -
The start of college can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time, especially if you are leaping into a new environment like Purdue! Whether you are coming to Purdue from across the country or if you are only 2 hours away like me, there is a lot to take in. In this Blog, I will cover the essentials every incoming freshman needs to know before they come to West Lafayette!

Academic Resources

MyPurdue

The MyPurdue page helps incoming students navigate to register for classes, access financial aid information, check grades, and more! It is the site that you would go to for generally any question outside of coursework. You should try and familiarize yourself with the site before the semester starts.

Boiler Connect

If you have any questions about your classes or schedule, you can use Boiler Connect to meet with advisors. All you must do is go on the site and make an appointment with your advisor. It is an easy way to keep in contact with your advisor and stay on top of your academic goals. Also to note, you might have multiple advisors throughout your time at Purdue. You have an advisor for FYE and then another advisor for your specific major. Boiler Connect helps ensure you connect with the right person to get your questions answered.

Tutoring Resources

There are also many tutoring resources at Purdue. The women in engineering program offers tutoring sessions almost every day for students to come in and ask a question on a subject. Besides the WiE tutoring, there is the writing lab or the math help room. Taking advantage of these resources will help you succeed right away and get a head start at Purdue!

Purdue Apps

Before you come to Purdue, you will have a specific Purdue email where the school can communicate with you. I think you should check your Purdue email regularly because it is a primary way you will receive important university updates, announcements, and class information. There are also so many apps you can download. There is the Purdue Recreation and Wellness app which is connected to the rec center. You can see what programs they have and what classes are available for the day. I have gone to cycling classes throughout the semester and I use the Purdue app to sign up for free! There is also the Purdue menus app where you can see what each dining hall is serving for the day. Another popular app is the corq app where you can see all the Purdue events that are going on during the week. These are just a few apps, but they have helped make my experience at Purdue so much easier and a smoother transition.

Dorm

When packing for college, I wasn't sure what to bring. I started looking online for ideas and found things I didn't think I would need. Also, your dorm at Purdue will become your home away from home so make it cozy. While Purdue provides a bed, desk, and drawer, there are a lot of other items needed to make sure you are set for the semester. Here is a list of a few ideas to help you get started:


  • Under bed storage/ Ottoman: An ottoman can act as seating or storage.
  • Lots of common strips: You will need command strips to hang photos, hooks, and other items without damaging the walls.
  • Laundry basket: A laundry basket is essential but consider one that’s foldable so it’s easier to store when not in use.
  • Reusable water bottle: Staying hydrated is key and you will use it every day.
  • Shower caddy: Having a shower caddy will make carrying toiletries easy.
  • Shower shoes: Protect your feet in the communal bathroom with a pair of flip flops.
  • Fairy lights: Create a space that is cozy and fits your personality with fairy lights or LED strips.
  • Mirror: A full-length mirror in a dorm is a must have for getting ready in the morning.
  • Extension cords: Your dorm may not have enough outlets, so bring extension cords or a surge protector.
  • Bedside caddy: Keep your phone, books, glasses, and other essentials close by with a bedside caddy.
  • Long charging cord: If you loft your bed you may not be able to reach the charging cord so having a long enough one can make it easier if you are laying in bed.
  • Backrest pillow: If you are in bed and doing homework, a bedrest pillow can make it so much more comfortable.
  • Umbrella: West Lafayette weather can be unpredictable, so be prepared with a small umbrella.
  • Cart for snacks, cups, cleaning products, etc: Consider a small rolling cart to hold snacks, cleaning supplies, or even your coffee maker.
  • Curtain for closet area: Some dorms have open closets, so a curtain can give you some privacy and keep things neat.
  • Small fan: Some dorms don't have air conditioning and during the first few months, it can be hot so stay cool with a fan!
  • Good walking shoes: If you participate in BGR you are going to be walking a lot so bring a pair of gym shoes. Also, some classes from dorms are far away so having good shoes can help prevent injuries

Bonus tips:

Don't overpack: Dorm rooms are often small, and you don't want to bring too many things or clothing. Stick to essentials for when you move in and buy what you really need as the semester goes on.
Check with roommates: It's a good idea to communicate with your roommate on who will bring what, like a microwave, fridge, or rug.
Stay practical: Think about items you will use every day and pack those first.

Starting college at Purdue is exciting and with the right amount of preparation, you can enjoy your time at Purdue. By familiarizing yourself with academic resources, technology tools, and dorm essentials, you’ll be well on your way to a successful and smooth transition to college life. Purdue has so much to offer, and now that you know the basics, it’s time to make the most of your experience!

Grace Fuller, FYE '28 

Recruitment Project Committee

 

Stay Connected With Purdue WiE Program! 

Facebook: Purdue Women in Engineering 

Instagram: @purdue.wie 

Blog: purduewiep.blogspot.com 

Email: welink@purdue.edu 

YouTube: Purdue Women in Engineering Program - YouTube 

 

 

Use the hashtag #PurdueWiE on Facebook and Instagram! 



Purdue Women in Engineering

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Understanding Purdue Housing

By -
Image
One of the many concerns incoming freshmen have is what to do regarding their housing options. In addition to the roommate selection process, you may be interested in seeing your on-campus options in terms of amenities and the communities available within the building. For example, when I accepted my admission to Purdue as a freshman, I knew I was interested in a standard double that I had experienced at a summer college program. To ensure my University Residences housing, I applied to Vertically Integrated Projects so that I would be able to pursue a research project as a freshman while also guaranteeing my housing within Earhart Hall through the connected learning community. For more information on learning communities, read our previous blog! Many freshmen will live in a residence hall, even if they are not in a specific learning community. Now, as a Resident Assistant or RA in Earhart Hall, I have been trained on the term “residence hall”; our halls go beyond a traditional “dormito...
Read more

Top 10 Extracurriculars Purdue Students Want You to Join Outside of Engineering

By -
Image
1. Purdue University Dance Marathon (PUDM):  The biggest student-run organization on campus! You can join as a dancer, where you get to fundraise leading up to the 18-hour long event or be even more involved and join a committee! Some of the committees include Riley Relations, where you fundraise to sponsor events for the Riley families throughout the year & are paired with a Riley family for the night of the event, Special Events Committee, where you organize 5K’s and other events around campus throughout the year, and so much more! 2. Boiler Gold Rush (BGR):  Whether it be as a new student, a team leader (TL), or even a Supervisor, there are so many ways to get involved with BGR! This week-long event is held the week before classes start in August. As a new student, it is your first chance to meet your new colleagues and participate in many games, fountain runs, and other fun activities throughout the week. It is also a great way to familiarize yourself with the ...
Read more

A very (sub)objective review of dining options at Purdue

By -
Image
Jenn and her friends after the Thankgiving dinner Food is an integral part of our day. For some people, the very first thing they do in the morning is eat breakfast. I personally prefer my cup of coffee to a stack of waffles. Nonetheless, food has the power to pick up a bad mood, enhance a good mood, and even ease the stress you are feeling about exams and homework. The awareness I have of how food impacts my mood is recently found since I started college in August. at home I usually came home to my mom or dad making something delicious in the crockpot. Suddenly I arrive at college and there are so many options that it can get overwhelming at times to figure out what to eat. Navigating the dining options at college did not seem like something I should have been worried about, yet it was something that took a month of experimenting to perfect.  The key is knowing where to go and what is consistent. I decided to help you out and give you some insight into how I view each dining optio...
Read more