Seong SiWon, Kang KyuEun, Won JungAh

Winter EIE students who are going to be freshmen do not know much about campus life. They have many things to ask so we gathered questions from incoming students. Older students answered the questions and gave some useful tips about campus life. 

•  Q&A about school academic performance

Q1. Does having a part time job affect academic achievement and grades?

Some students say that part time jobs make them tired and exhausted and this makes it hard for them to concentrate or do their best in classes. Strong physical stamina will be needed to study effectively during the semester. However, some other students said although it is quite tough to work during the semester, it helps to improve their skills concerning their major. For example, students who major in art and language recalled that they could practice their art skills or language ability while they were teaching part-time.

Q2. How do we prepare for an exchange student program?

The first and most important thing about preparing for the exchange program is searching for the most suitable university. You have to find this part on your own. Make a list of universities that you are interested in. Keep in mind what you are going to major in, what language you want to improve in and what culture you want to experience. There is no need to be hasty in preparing this program.

The next thing to do is prepare for the application process. You’ll need to demonstrate your ability to live and study abroad. So, they want you to bring proof of your foreign language ability and GPA. You’ll need to go to the office of Global Affairs and study the application carefully.

Q3. How can we sign up for class well?

You have to find out when the course registration periods begin. This is the most important part of course registration. Keep the dates in mind and after that, read the syllabus you want to take and ask older students about the courses. Then make your wishlist. There is a time to make this wishlist before the course registration period. Do not miss this chance.

In addition, use the site “Timetable”. A lot of incoming students misunderstood the term “timetable.” But it is a site for Ewha students which gives student opinions about all classes at Ewha, Yeonsei and Seogang. Through this site you can get a lot of information about popular classes and comment on those classes. And also there is a function to make “your own” timetable.

Q4. Can we understand well when we take English lecture?

☞ It is hard but worthwhile.

Even students who have already taken an EIE course or are good at English have difficulty when taking classes in major subjects which are taught in English. All of the terms are presented in English and this makes the lecturer hard to understand. But “heaven helps those who help themselves”. If you want to be able to take lectures in English (like if you prepare for exchange student program), study the words used in the lecture and discover their meanings. Also there is another maxim: “no pain, no gain”. Even though the English medium courses are difficult, your English will improve if you work hard. Apart from the advantage, English medium classes also have higher quotas of A’s. So, do not worry about the score. If you are ready to be dedicated to that class, do not hesitate!

•  Older students’ advice about campus life

- When is the best time for blind dates?

There might be many incoming students who are looking forward to blind dates. Many older students recommend the freshmen year as a best time to experience blind dates. Some people say that blind dating is a waste of time, while others say freshmen should take the opportunity to have as many blind dates as they can. The chances of meeting someone special depends on how much you want to go out and participate. Whatever you want, it is your choice to make a lot of opportunities of blind dates or not.

- How do we make friends?

Some incoming freshmen worry about how to make new friends in university, but it is not different to your elementary school, middle school or high school. Just start a conversation about anything. It is the basic action, but in university life, the most important thing is that you have to participate in most activities in your major or department such as university opening parties or a class or membership training. Moreover, you can also make new friends in both your major classes and cultural subject classes. You will have many chances to meet other students during the semester.

- What can we do in our free time between classes?

Most older students recommend Ewha central library. If you want to read books or you want to study, go to the central library because there are many kinds of books there. In addition, you can also watch movies in the audiovisual room which is in the central library.

 Next, some older students say that when you have free time between classes, especially if you are sleepy, go to the ECC sleeping room and student culture center’s sleeping room.

- How can I get a university jacket?

   

Many incoming students ask about getting the university jacket. They wonder about their jacket’s color and how to purchase them. Some majors have the same color every year and some majors decide their color by voting.

Freshmen can buy their jackets through group purchase. The representatives from each college do a survey and order from a factory. A few months later, you can wear the college jacket and it can function as a school uniform that you used to wear when you are in middle and high schools.

University life is very scary for some incoming students as there are many unanswered questions. We hope you are now well informed and are looking forward to a happy university life.