10 Things To Expect At Bellarmine

Calling all Bellarmine Bound students! Are you wondering what your first year at Bellarmine is going to look like? Here's a few of the things to expect when you get here.

Ice Breakers

Ah, ice breakers. They're like speed-dating, but for new friends and classmates. Speed-friending, if you will. "The Name Game," "Two truths and a lie," and "List your year, major, hometown, and an interesting fact about yourself," are just a few you'll be doing. You can reuse most of your responses, too, so start thinking of them before the first day of classes!

Hills and Stairs

Bellarmine's campus is more than a little hilly, so count on getting a workout walking between classes and going to and from the dorms. It's such a workout that when you finally get to the SuRF you don't want to actually exercise, but that's okay. Many students avoid the dreaded "Freshman 15" thanks to the hills and stairs!

Free Shirts

Hannah Mize

Who doesn’t love a free shirt? Most clubs and events will have t-shirt giveaways, a sure-fire way to boost attendance or get a message out. The financial aid office gives out a FAFSA themed shirt every spring semester and Knights Nation gives them out before some sporting events, just to list some examples. Hannah Mize, a recent graduate, had so many that after four years she made her own t-shirt quilt!

Laundry

Austin Black

So now that you have as many shirts as you will ever need in a semester (or a snazzy new quilt), get ready to do some laundry. If you've never done laundry before, get a quick lesson from whomever does your laundry now. It's not hard, but it's all part of that "adulting" thing. Others in your hall will appreciate your good laundry etiquette, including: not overloading and breaking machines, promptly removing clean and dry laundry, and not leaving your stuff all over the laundry room.

Tons To Do In Louisville And The Highlands

Bellarmine is perfectly placed in Louisville, in the heart of the Highlands. It's right next to Bardstown Road, which means it's right next to a plethora of small businesses and great restaurants. From Bellarmine, you have quick access to some of Louisville's fantastic parks, including Cherokee Park and Joe Creason Park (which is literally across the street). It's only a 15 minute drive to downtown, where you can go to plays, concerts, and a bunch of cool museums. It is also only 15 minutes to Mall St. Matthews and Oxmoor Mall where you can spend the money you got from relatives for graduating high school. The fairgrounds and Kentucky Kingdom are close to Bellarmine, too! How close? You guessed it, 15 minutes!

Indecision

Let's face it, making decisions can be hard for some people. Where to go for dinner, what to watch on Netflix, what layout to use for a group presentation... If the decision isn't that important, don't overthink it. Sometimes, going by your gut can lead to some great experiences (and great stories).

Freedom

You're an adult now, making adult decisions and living an adult life away from people who knew you as... not an adult. You'll have freedom. Freedom to live your life and make your own decisions about who you are and who you want to be. Revel in it.

Procrastination

But with great freedom comes great responsibility. Time management is a huge part of being a successful adult, too. Many never quite get the hang of it, so get ready to hear the mantra "Due today, do today."

Unbelievable Weather

No one can believe the kind of weather we get in Louisville. Snow in May, pool weather in December… maybe both snow and 60s in the same week? You'd better believe it (and pack accordingly).

Home Away From Home

Tom Dekle

You might be walking up hills in wet jeans trying to finish homework due in 5 minutes, but for many, it doesn't take long for campus to start feeling like home. Your professors and advisers become additional parents, your friends and roommates become new siblings. Even if you miss home while you're here, you’ll miss campus and your BU family when you’re home on break.

Did we miss anything? Let us know what your first-year college experience was like!