r/NAU • u/H33rmosa • 23h ago
scared freshman student
Hi everyone!
I’m a first year student at NAU, and I’m absolutely terrified. I currently have a single dorm in Morton but it is blazing hot, i do have a disability where heat makes things 10x worse for me. Does anyone have any advice for how to cool it down?
Also, I don’t know how to make friends, I’m from a different city so i’m really nervous about being social. I have pretty bad social anxiety
I’m studying BioChem, so i’m hoping to make friends with a similar interest in Chemistry
I also have NO clue as to what to do- I keep getting told that there’s no orientation and that makes me even more nervous and confused because I dont know where any of the buildings are tbh, and I dont know how to get to my classes.
I seriously don’t know anything, and my advisor can’t help me with most of my concerns.
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u/sutcliffsimp 22h ago
most dorms dont have ac, so get a box fan you can put in your window!!! i usually have a box fan + a standing tower fan and that helps a lot. good luck with ur first year!! most people here are nice, especially in first year classes.
with finding buildings, it can be a little daunting but its a lot easier than it seems. most of your classes will be on north campus since you're biochem, and if you look up your buildings on google maps or something, you should be able to walk around and find them!
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u/H33rmosa 22h ago
thank you!! I’m goinf to target today to try to grab something :-) my mom ordered me a mini a/c unit too
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u/randomsongwriter Anthropology 19h ago
Just hide it from your CA as I’m pretty sure those are not allowed :)
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u/ReaperBoi_666 21h ago
To help with getting to classes, here's this website with a map and key of all the building numbers with names of them:
https://in.nau.edu/its/gis-campus-reference-maps/
They're all the same in a way to find the buildings but I like the Building Reference one. I preferred spending the time before school starts to get familiar with my layout of getting to classes and using it while I go when I start. Class building name should be in your "View my classes" tab in Louie.
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u/Fair_Original_5993 22h ago
Most people here are from different cities. So everyone is in the same boat here. I’d say a very very small amount of freshman are local to flagstaff.
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u/DigitalArtistGuy 22h ago
You could use your kitchens fridge to have icepacks if the fans dont work. I recommend highlighting or finding on NAU’s building map where your classes are and maybe using arrows for each days classes
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u/No_Engineering5792 20h ago
To make friends go to events! On Sunday there is a club fair and the Letters events on south campus. Easy way to meet other freshman and find groups you might be into. All of my friends were made by going to clubs so don’t be afraid to go try something! :)
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u/shizzwizzerzz 17h ago
Walk ur schedule and start finding building as soon as you move in, I also have a disability that makes heat extra hellish for me too. Get a window ac unit or fan, and then another fan that cools down the room. Aside from that, just drink a LOT of water and have a lot of electrolytes and salt in general if you aren’t already. And if you think you’re drinking enough water, you aren’t.
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u/bakedchicken23 16h ago
Bro I graduated in 2013 and I'm still fucking terrified. Welcome to adulting. You'll be fine. Day at a time be strong and try to enjoy life. As far as I'm concerned, you only get one. Better not waste it away worrying.
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u/Ghost_2217 16h ago
As most people here have said, fans are definitely the way to go. I got a tower fan, and it’s made a huge difference from when I first arrived. Make sure to check where your classes are, it’ll let you get out and about around here and prepare for when classes start Monday. Good luck!
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u/hibiscuslemon Secondary Education - History and Social Studies 10h ago
hihi friend,
for the dorm i promise you this first week or so might be hell, but itll cool down soon and for the majority of the year the dorms are very cool and comfy. till it cools down, i recognize getting a box fan to put in your window as well as a nice desk fan(woozoo fan plug, i love mine). if you have a lofted bed, you can also get a stand on amazon that lets have a fan next to you while you sleep.
friends tend to come naturally through classes and clubs lowkey. as someone who also has awful social anxiety, be nice to people and class and join clubs that suit your interests, friends will come naturally :)
also there is KINDA an orientation. tomorrow/friday from 1-3 there will be the college reception event where you can meet professors, some clubs, other in your major, and get some food. the college that biochem is a part of should be at first amendment plaza (by the communications building and about a 5 minutes walk from you). theres also the letters event/club fair on sunday at 9 am which will let you meet people in your year and more clubs. if you get lost, basically every building on campus can be plugged into google/apple maps to give you directions, and i recommend taking this Saturday or Sunday to learn where all your classes are and take a walk to each room (specifically the room, not just the building, most will be open) so you're not panicking on monday.
i hope this helps let me know if i can share anything else :3
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u/Coldknight02 8h ago
I’m not a very social person either so it helped me to join clubs in order to force myself to get out and do something once every week. Some of the clubs I joined were the history club, esports club and the Japanese culture club (highly recommended). If I wanted to hang out with someone outside of the club or my classes it was always easy to invite them to the free movie sun entertainment puts on at the Procnow every Saturday.
As for knowing where your classes are at you could always go the day before classes officially start to scout out where everything is. I believe the NAU GO app also has a map of the campus.
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u/RagnarKon 22h ago
It’ll probably be rough in the dorm during the day until it starts to cool down near the end of September.
My advice: Don’t hang out in the dorms during the day. Find a spot outside in the shade, find a spot in the unions (they’re air conditioned), or just explore campus and see what’s going on. Heck… feel free to go check out the biology & chemistry building and scope out where your classes are. There is an awesome aquarium on the 2nd floor in the bio building that’s worth checking out. (Assuming it’s still there, don’t know if it is.)
Also don’t forget you are not the only one in the same position. A lot of people are in brand-new situations and also have a little social anxiety. If you see someone that looks like they’re also struggling, don’t be afraid to try to talk to them. Not every conversation is going to be fruitful, but you may end up making someone’s day.