Hello! My name is Nathan Timmerman and I am working on a double major in marketing and professional sales and a minor in entrepreneurship. I graduate in December of 2018, and as I prepare for my final semester at Manchester, I can’t help but think about all the good times I have had here and the future of my university. I can’t wait to see all the new, smiling faces that arrive on campus in the fall and to see them experience their first year of college at the very place that I have called home for the past three years. That being said, I would like to offer a few pieces of advice to the incoming class of 2022. I have found that the following has helped me thrive throughout my college experience.

1.) Stay Involved!

One factor that contributes to student success is the amount of connections, friendships and professional relationships that are made throughout their time spent at Manchester. MU has a very tight-knit community, so be sure to immerse yourself in it! There are an endless amount of opportunities available for students to grow, learn and have fun. My favorite way to spend my free time is by participating in clubs and playing intramurals! I am able to grow in my profession and gain valuable experience through my favorite club, the College of Business Club. Not only does being involved in the CBC help me prepare for my career, but it also allows me to become closer to professors and my peers. When I’m not in a suit, being on the court for intramural basketball is my favorite way to have fun and be involved! Making a team with your SOL group is a great way to make lifelong friends with new people.

2.) Be Curious!

College is a place to learn, gain experiences and better yourself- and all of that starts by asking questions! It’s important to ask questions and come out of your shell. The professors all have office hours during the week, so there’s always a time frame available for you to connect with your professors and ask questions. Manchester’s professors are known for being extremely involved with students and always welcome questions, so make sure to challenge yourself academically and use the professors as a resource!

3.) Create Good Habits!

It’s important to start your college career on a good note by creating good habits! For me, this involved learning time management skills, like creating a routine. I heard this advice a dozen times before entering college, and to no surprise, it was absolutely true! The Success Center is a great resource for students to utilize. They offer tools such as free index cards to help students create study flashcards or even free planners to help students create a daily schedule to follow!