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Louisiana campus leaders, students share advice for incoming college freshmen

From time management to showing up to class, university administrators and student leaders outline key tips for transitioning to higher education.

NORTHEAST LOUISIANA, La. (KNOE) - Transitioning to college is often seen as a milestone that brings significant lifestyle, academic, and scheduling changes for incoming freshmen. To help first-time students navigate this major milestone, Louisiana higher education leaders and student representatives are sharing their top strategies for academic and personal success.

According to Louisiana Tech President Jim Henderson, the absolute baseline for college survival is simple: show up.

“Go to class. I know that’s not rocket science, but going to class is 90% the battle,” Henderson said.

Henderson also emphasized that seeking assistance early is key to overcoming the inevitable challenges of higher education.

“When you run into a struggle, when you have a challenge that you can’t handle on your own, ask for help. The earlier you ask for help, the more support network we have on campus can come to your aid and ensure that these little don’t become big challenges and you continue on your way to your degree,” Henderson added.

Beyond academics, adjusting to a new social environment is another critical piece of the freshman experience. Kelly Lohman, a University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM) student and Student Government Association President, encourages incoming students to push past their comfort zones to build a reliable network.

“You do have to get a little bit comfortable being uncomfortable,” Lohman said. “My best advice to incoming freshmen is get involved because that’s how you find a community and find people to support you through the changes and through all the new things that you get to experience.”

In addition to academic and social adjustments, students must also learn to navigate a much less structured daily environment. ULM Campus Activities Board President Connor Skubic noted that managing time effectively is one of the most drastic adjustments a new student will make.

“It’s definitely a regimen change,” Skubic said. “You know, you go from in the morning to 8 in the morning to 3:30 every single day and to college where you pick your own schedule and you can have class at 5 o’clock in the afternoon, you can have class at 8 o’clock in the morning.”

According to Skubic, the key to surviving this shift is self-awareness and self-discipline.

“So it’s definitely just knowing you personally how well you operate on your schedule and then being able to stick to a schedule and having good time management,” Skubic said.

Louisiana universities offer various on-campus resources—including tutoring centers, mental health counseling, and student organizations—to support students through these transitions. Campus administrators urge freshmen to utilize these resources starting in their first week of classes.