Tips for New Bluejays

As the New Jays gear up to arrive in Omaha, we asked the Creighton community what pieces of advice they have for incoming freshmen.

Below, see tips from current students and alumni for resident hall room essentials, dining hall hacks and how to make the most of your time at Creighton University.

Meet the Professor

After class is finished on the first day, go and shake your professor’s hand. And don’t be nervous. With an average student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1, professors are used to interacting with students.

“You’ll enjoy the class so much more and be less nervous about approaching them for help if you know them from the get-go,” one current student said.

The same goes for graduate and professional students. Says one professional student, “Trust in yourself and don’t be afraid of your professors. They believe in you and will help you believe in yourself.”

Good Eats

The Creighton community had plenty of food-related suggestions. Need a study break? Grab a coffee and snack with friends at McGloin Market or one of our Starbucks options. Learn more about campus food options here.

Friendly Faces

The best way to make the transition to college life? Get out of your resident hall room and participate in Welcome Week activities. “You will likely meet your best lifelong friend in those first few days,” one graduate said. Another said the friendships she made during Welcome Week have lasted 26 years and counting.

Another way to make friends while giving back is to go on a service trip with the Schlegel Center for Service and Justice, another Creighton graduate recommended.

And if you can’t make it home for a holiday break, such as Thanksgiving or Easter, go home with a friend. “It helps with homesickness, and you get a home cooked meal,” one recent graduate said.

Explore Omaha

For a break from studying or campus life, get out and explore Omaha. Just be sure not to turn left off Dodge Street, one recent graduate said.

Also, the Old Market, Downtown Omaha’s entertainment and arts district, is within walking distance from campus, with plenty of restaurants and ice cream shops at which to dine.

And a late-night pizza run can be a fun way to grow friendships, one graduate says.

Pool Noodle

Be sure to get a foam pool noodle to place under lofted beds in your resident hall room. Slice the pool noodle lengthwise, then fit it over the bottom edge and secure. It will prevent you from hitting your head. (Your noggin will thank you later.) You can also check out What to Bring to Campus for a printable checklist of other essentials.

Make the Most of this New Experience

If you find yourself struggling, don’t be afraid to ask for help, one Creighton graduate said. “There are so many people on campus to help with your transition to college.”

This is your time to shine and learn about yourself and the world. “Creighton is an amazing place to grow as an individual,” a recent graduate said. “Don’t be afraid of anything. The culture of support is a very refreshing safety net” (see student resources for a list of places to get support).

“Even if college seems scary and you feel homesick, try to enjoy and live in the moment. These incredible four years will go by so fast and you will love Creighton more each day!”