How to Succeed in Your First Year at Embry-Riddle

Welcome back, Eagles! The school year is underway, and thousands of new Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University students have arrived at our Arizona, Florida and Worldwide campuses. So much opportunity is ahead, and we’re excited to have you here.

Adjusting to college life, whether you’re moving into a dorm or enrolling in online classes, can be overwhelming. As you’re navigating the first semester, remember that the best advice comes from people who have been in your shoes.

From getting comfortable on campus to getting out of your comfort zone, enjoy these 15 tips from Embry-Riddle students and alumni on how to set yourself up for success as a first-year student.

1. You don’t have to have everything figured out right away.

“You’ll make mistakes and change directions — that’s part of the process. Follow what excites you and take full advantage of opportunities at Embry-Riddle. Getting involved and stepping outside your comfort zone will directly translate into real-world success.” —  Shay Bhardwaj (’21, ’25)

2. Choose at least one club or organization to get involved in.

“My involvement in the pep band led me to apply for the Orientation Team and eventually to get hired as a peer mentor. These positions have helped shape me as both a person and a leader.” — Jocelynn Hubbert (’26)

3. Get involved early.

“Join organizations, attend events, talk to professors and build relationships with your peers. Those connections and experiences can open doors you never expected and often teach lessons that can't be learned from a textbook.” — Anthony Rizza (’27)

4. Don't wait for opportunities to find you, go out and grab them.

“Be proactive, ask as many questions as you can and don’t hesitate to reach out to people.” — Manvi Sharma (’26) 

5. Say yes to opportunities early, even if they feel intimidating.

“Apply for research roles, leadership programs, internships and projects before you feel completely ready. Some of the most valuable experiences come from stepping outside your comfort zone.” — Josie Parker (’24, ’25, ’26)

6. If you can’t find a club or project that you’re passionate about, make it yourself.

“Join as many clubs and research opportunities on your campus as possible or create an opportunity for yourself. If you really want to do something, you won’t stop until you make it happen. Knock on the doors of things that you want to be a part of. Believe in what you want to do.” — Angel Hinojosa (’27) 

7. Be a sponge for information.

“Some of the best growth comes from simply showing up and being curious! Talking with classmates, connecting with professors and learning from their experiences can completely change how you see your path and help you as well.” — Maya Haworth (’27)

8. Ask all kinds of questions.

“There is never a bad question, and being wrong is the best way to learn. Ask your professors about their experiences and bounce ideas off them. The worst thing you can do is never ask for something, because then you will never receive it.” — Lauren Stonefeld (’26)

9. Learn time management, balance and discipline.

“Your time in college is more limited than it seems. Learn how to schedule when to study instead of cramming the night before an exam. Take time for yourself. Find resilience in hard work.” — Amelia Köth (’28)

10. Prioritize your sleep.

“My performance and overall well-being improved significantly once I started consistently getting around eight hours of sleep each night.” — Carson Ballou (’25, ’27)

11. Listen to different perspectives.

“Some of the most valuable lessons I've learned at Embry-Riddle have come from conversations with classmates who challenged my perspective. Everyone comes from a different background and has unique experiences that shape how they think. Growth comes from being willing to listen, challenge your own assumptions and appreciate perspectives that are different from your own.” — Kayleigh Bisset (’27)

12. Intentionally explore your career interests before entering the workforce.

“If you know which industry or domain excites you, make the most of your time and dive as deep into your studies to learn as much as possible within that area. Conversely, if you have no idea what excites you or what direction you want to go after school, study different areas until you do find the area of work that excites you. Even if that doesn’t provide a specific direction, you will have learned about a variety of topics and areas to apply in the workforce.” — Moxie Garcia (’25)

13. Put into your education what you want to get out of it.

“Learning how to learn is a skill that must be developed. If you really want to become the top of your field, to be competitive, you have to take advantage of and take ownership of the opportunities presented to you. When I feel challenged, I remind myself that there are no shortcuts that will give me the same benefits as working my way through a challenging piece of material.” — Sarah Reynolds (’22,’23,’27)

14. Network, network, network!

“The peers and professors that I had the privilege of working with were amazing to learn from and connect with. I learned so much from them.” — Julie Houtman (’26)

15. Make time for fun, too!

“College can be a home away from home where you can develop who you really want to be, surround yourself with good friends and have fun. Don’t let yourself drown in schoolwork; everyone needs a break to play on the court, take a drive, hike a mountain or play games. You only live once. Make the most of it.” — Kyle Wheaton (’26, ’27)

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