More Advice To New Students
activities. At the start of each academic year, the large number of Muslim freshmen are always discussed. However, it is unfortunate that we can’t even get half of that number to come to the musallah or attend MSA events. Many times we may have freshmen who walk into the musallah or come to an MSA event for the first time, but don’t feel welcome because they are being judged or because no one chose to approach them. Whatever the case, we give them a bad first impression. And who knows, perhaps we may never see them in the musallah or for another MSA event due to our own lack of interest in welcoming and staying connected with them. So please, it is my humble request that all the upper classmen proactively include the freshmen in all activities.
3. Get involved.
And I don’t mean just the MSA. There are so many other clubs. Choose one! I know that besides Facebook, SnapChat, and PianoTiles (do you guys still play that?), you all have hobbies. Explore them and cultivate them into something you can take with you after graduation. Be a leader of a club and force your minions to attend MSA events with you!
4. Use your time wisely.
I know we’ve all heard this many, many times before. But this same advice hits you most when you leave the undergrad world and are hit with a particular difficulty which could have been avoided if we had used our time wisely. For example, getting an A in that one class or preparing better for that standardized admissions test, etc. I also believe that adjusting to the environment of a particular place is the most difficult aspect of all our challenges. I’ll speak for myself, that in my current state at the University of Chicago, the environment tends to get quite secular, professional, and spiritually draining. I miss the times that I would walk to the musallah after class and talk to my friends for a bit before going back to the next class. I miss being able to attend Jumu’ah every Friday without any concern about if I’ll be able to make it or not. I miss being able to attend the weekly halaqas and surrounding myself with good company. These are just a few of the blessings that you miss as you transition away from undergrad life. So understand that in undergrad, although it may not seem like it, you have a lot of free time in your hands. If you plan on pursuing higher education like Medical School, you’re not going to have this luxury for long. Rid yourself of needless distractions and spiritually fortify yourself in preparation for that which is to come inshaAllah. If you can remove bad habits and
Oh great, not another article from a Loyola Alum. Can't they just leave us alone? Who is this guy anyway? That's what you're thinking right? Maybe not. But I can't blame you if you did. I had similar thoughts when I would read articles from Loyola Alumni and their advice for those currently in undergrad. As a freshmen or upperclassman, some of the things that Alums say seem so strange. To the point that you may think, what is this guy talking about? However, the advice that Alums give can prove to be gems for those in undergrad. More often than not, their advice directly relates to the difficulties that you may be going through at present. So it's always good to hear what the Alumni have to say. Their thoughts have evolved through their years and experiences as undergrads. And even if their advice doesn't correlate to what you may be going through, you can definitely pass that same advice to someone who is. To my esteemed freshmen brothers and sisters, welcome! Needless to say, Loyola, LUC MSA in particular, is amazing mashaAllah, enjoy the experience, cherish it, and please stay connected.
1. You should transfer.
Just kidding, no not really. Actually, yes.
2. Be nice and inclusive.
This is specifically geared to what happens in the musallah. I can’t speak for the sisters side, so I will aim at the brothers. During my freshmen year, I remember the first time an upper classman approached me and asked me about myself. I had come into the Mundelein musallah (yes the musallah used to be in Mundelein until Spring 2013, don’t worry, I’m not as old as you think) and was studying for my dreaded bio lab practical. For all you Bio majors, you’re gonna love your bio labs. As I was studying, an upper classman came, introduced himself and started a conversation with me. And that was the first time I felt included in what was happening in the musallah. I had come into the musallah many times before, but my stay there was limited to prayer and never really to sit there and just relax because I didn’t know very many people. However, all that changed with that one brother who reached out to me and made me feel included and welcome. At the end of our conversation, he took my number and would always contact me for the MSA events that would be taking place each week. He would send out a mass text to everyone (we didn’t have Group Me or WhatsApp then… I’m telling you I’m not as old as you think). My point here is that everyone should feel welcome in the musallah. That is the place where almost everyone comes to chill. For my freshmen brothers and sisters, please don’t hesitate to talk to your upper classmen. You are blessed with an amazing group of people who will be more than willing to help you out with your difficulties. So please talk to them. Who knows, perhaps your best friend is sitting right next to you. To all upperclassmen, it is your responsibility to reach out to the new freshman and make them feel welcome and included in all of your