Letter from the Editor

Work Hard, Speak Up, Get Involved: The keys to a great college career.

Nigel Chiwaya
Chronicle Chief Editor

It’s with more than a little bit of excitement that I say hello to all the bear cubs, the newest members of the NYIT community. I imagine that by the time you picked up this newspaper, you’ve already been through your first week of classes, and you’re starting to get used to life on a college campus. I want to congratulate you all on arriving at this level of your life, and I wanted to drop off a few pieces of advice on how to make the most of the next four or five years of your life.

Work hard: Between now and the time you graduate, you’ll take dozens of classes. Some will be incredibly easy; some will be so difficult that you’ll wonder why they make undergraduates take it. But no matter what class you find yourself in, always take the time to hunker down with your books and get the work done. Do the readings, take the quizzes, do the homework, and go to class. No one will be on your back to force you to do all of these things anymore, so you will have to motivate yourself. Look at it this way: you just worked so hard for the last decade of your life, why screw it up now?

Speak Up: A Bear’s life isn’t always pretty. NYIT is lacking in many aspects when compared to other area colleges. During your first year, you’re going to come in contact with many of the areas where NYIT falters. However, instead of complaining to your friends, take a step out of the crowd and make your voice heard. Talk to an SGA senator, talk to your Dean, come talk to us here at the Chronicle. The administration will listen when enough students come together and demand to be heard. Don’t be afraid to join the chorus.

Get Involved: The biggest complaint I’ve heard from students is that there’s nothing to do on campus. I try not to laugh at that, because I hear it mostly from students who don’t attend events or join clubs. There’s so much to do here: from sports teams that any and every student can join, to dating auctions, to poetry slams. If you’re looking for things to do, the Chronicle has an events calendar located on page B4. The calendar will be there every issue, and it will always be packed full of events. And if you have an idea for an event, share it.

Joining a club isn’t a bad way to spend your time either. I’ve been fortunate enough to spend most of my time over the last two years with the Chronicle, and I’ve met some of my best friends through this club. So don’t sit on the sideline, jump in.

College is going to be what you, yes you, make of it. I wish each and every one of you the best of luck over the course of your stay here, and if you ever notice something that you think is unfair, give us here at the Chronicle a ring. We’ll always be here.