Get To Know Your Counselors!

Moving away and starting college is a huge transition.  Attending Camp War Eagle will acquaint incoming freshmen with Auburn University and equip them with knowledge that will help them make this transition more smoothly.  The incoming freshmen will also learn how to make a schedule and register for their first semester of classes.- Adam Elder, 2009 Camp Counselor

When I attended Camp fresh out of high school, I thought Auburn had my favorite football team, and that’s all I knew and all I wanted to know. Camp War Eagle opened my eyes to endless academics, traditions, and the family that Auburn possessed. The three days I spent at Camp gave me so much help that I would later realize was crucial to my success in my first semester. Everything from schedules to social issues to football tickets, Camp War Eagle was such an important element in the development of my love for Auburn and everything it stands for. - Cody Shedd, 2009 Camp Counselor

Whenever I left the house, my planner always came with me! I realized early on that keeping my planner up-to-date and planning my days around all the things that I had to do, I did better in classes and was much more efficient. To this day, you will rarely catch me without it because it is my guide book for everyday! - Johnna Ingalls, 2009 Camp Counselor

In regards to overall success at a university, success academically should be every college student’s chief objective. It takes very hard work & dedication but, in essence, “your grades are you”.  In many instances, your grades will follow you & likewise, organizations, graduate programs, employers & the like will weigh heavily their decisions on one’s grades & academic performance. Likewise, many will find that it is hard to recover academically once he or she has performed poorly. - Raynard Butler, 2009 Camp Counselor

 If I could one piece of advice to an incoming freshman, I would tell him or her to be sure to manage time well. Time management is so important when transitioning into college. Teachers and Parents are not here to wake you, or tell you when to go to the next class. I feel that managing your time will keep you from becoming stressed over small things and help you to see the big picture. It is very important to schedule in those naps, breaks, study and social hours! You will need a lot of those. If you overbook yourself you will end up being overwhelmed with all of your tasks. - Jeremy Samuels, 2009 Camp Counselor

GO TO CLASS! Not only will you be actively participating in the academic process, but also you will benefit from the relationships you make with fellow students and professors. - Geof Tibbs, 2009 Camp Counselor

 I would definitely tell them to use their resources.  Never take anything for granted from free pizza at the beginning at an event on campus to Career Development Services Job Focus test to Camp War Eagle counselors contact information.  There are so many ways to get answers and help out there, you just have to be cognoscente of those opportunities and be sure and take advantage of them.- Andrew Kinnaird, 2009 Camp Counselor

Get yourself out there. Don’t be afraid to make friends, and don’t be afraid to try something new or different. College is about figuring yourself out and the only way to do that is to experience as much as you can and learn from it. There are a lot of different types of people at Auburn, and although it may seem small at times, you will find that group of people that make you the happiest and bring out the best in you. - Kali Van Bebber, 2009 Camp Counselor

 My advice to an incoming freshman is to step out of your comfort zone and meet new people and have new experiences. College only happens once, and there are so many opportunities that are thrown your way. Make the most of every moment, and try to have no regrets. These next few years will fly by, so really invest in people and make great relationships.- Kelli Ledbetter, 2009 Camp Counselor

More than anything, I hope that the freshmen will come out of Camp War Eagle knowing that they have someone they can call for advice and other help in the fall!  I really hope that they will take advantage of their time in Camp to absorb knowledge and other bits of wisdom that will help them make the transition into college life, but I hope they know that we can also be a resource and a support for them even after Camp is over!. - Lauren Ketron, 2009 Camp Counselor

I hope that freshmen take away a better understanding of Auburn’s campus, traditions, culture, academic life, and ideals. Camp is a student’s first real chance to get to know what life is like as an Auburn student and though we are going to be throwing a lot at them, there is no doubt that they can handle it all and use it in the future to successfully make it through freshman year and eventually Auburn. If a student gets one thing out of coming through Camp I hope that they realize that they have a friend who is knowledgeable about life at Auburn and someone who is willing to help. - Daniel McCarty, 2009 Camp Counselor

I hope that every freshmen leaves CWE with three things: 1. relief from the anxiety that usually comes along with the prospect of coming to college,  2. excitement about his or her choice of coming to Auburn, and 3. a real love for Auburn.- Kendall Mercer, 2009 Camp Counselor

 I selected Auburn because it feels like family. I feel at home here. - Paige Lowery, 2009 Camp Counselor

I applied to four different universities, all in different parts of the country.  Some were in the south, some in the midwest/north.  So, after the visits to each school I got a completely different feeling about the schools and what I could come to expect at each.  At other schools, I saw the campus and liked them but didn't feel like I was truly wanted.  But at Auburn, when I met a Student Recruiter, she made me feel like Auburn truly cared about who I was, where I was from, and why I wanted to be here.  I was not another number on a campus of thousands, but I was a student that had a chance to have an amazing time at a school that had so much to offer me.  Auburn truly wanted ME, not just another student with my grades.  That's why I've chosen to give back to Auburn, to show my appreciation for everything that Auburn has already given me. - Caitlin Moulton, 2009 Camp Counselor

I really love to study just about anywhere.  I know that everyone studies and learns differently. I've discovered that I need to be around three things: music, natural light, and people. -Aaron Pierce, 2009 Camp Counselor

 I LOVE the new Student Center!!! It is my favorite on-campus location for quality study time. - Katie Parrish, 2009 Camp Counselor

I like to study at the library and I like to study on the 3rd floor of the student center. Off campus I like to study outside in parks on pretty days, it kind of makes it feel like a fun experience! :) - Amy Hood, 2009 Camp Counselor

I have found what some may think as a groundbreaking discovery for studying on campus, and that is the Ralph Broun Draughon Library. I know what you are thinking and yes I thought of it myself. They have everything that you would need at the RBD Library: study areas for group and individual study, computer labs with printers, Books  and wireless internet. They have it all. As for off campus, I like to go to local coffee shops in Auburn to study by myself. It is good for study groups as well as they have refreshments i.e. caffeine, ready for long nights of studying. - Jim Plaster, 2009 Camp Counselor

Spring time is the best in Auburn! After months of cold weather and jackets, everyone puts on shorts and goes out in the sun! The campus is absolutely beautiful, and there are students everywhere- playing beach volleyball, running on campus, laying out at the pool, or starting a game of soccer in the quad. It really is the best time of the year! - Maggie Daley, 2009 Camp Counselor

 I love the spring time, when the flowers start to bloom. People start studying outside, having picnics on Samford lawn, and campus is absolutely beautiful! It is a great time to take road trips on the weekends or stay in town and enjoy playing outside! - Kelli Ferguson, 2009 Camp Counselor

My favorite time of the year in Auburn would have to be Fall, coming from Florida I’ve never really experienced the changing of the leaves, and to experience that for the first time in Auburn was amazing. I think campus looks beautiful during fall. Also, football season is during the fall, so what’s not to love about that! - Kali Van Bebber, 2009 Camp Counselor

I have two favorite times of year in Auburn - late October and early April.  In October, football is still going on, but it's not hot OR cold on gamedays.  The leaves are changing colors on all the trees and there's so much to do on campus.  In the spring, Auburn slows down a little bit and you can decide what you want to do on the weekends.  Again, the weather is perfect in April -not too much rain or humidity. - Anna Lee Alford, 2009 Camp Counselor

When I was getting ready to move to Auburn I asked my mom to teach me how she did my laundry because it always smelled so good! She had a reputation with my friends that she had a gift with knowing how to use the washing machine and she really does! I learned her secrets so that when I moved to Auburn I could continue to have the wonderful smelling clothes and towels I was used to having when I was at home. It may seem silly, but it's little things like laundry detergent that kept me from getting homesick!- Lauren Sconyers, 2009 Camp Counselor

Before I came to Auburn I thought I was going to be really homesick, and miss all of my friends from high school.  So, in order for me not to miss everyone from home, I brought lots of pictures and my senior yearbook.  The best thing about it was when I made new friends we sat around and showed each other our friends from home and told funny memories! - Kathleen Boehme, 2009 Camp Counselor

Auburn is so far and so different from my home that it was very easy to become homesick. I found if I called my parents a couple of times throughout the week and got updates about what was going on back home that I still felt connected with them and didn't feel so lonesome. - Amy Hood, 2009 Camp Counselor

The best thing to do is to surround yourself with friends. They will become your home away from home and will make your transition much easier. - Victoria Bennett, 2009 Camp Counselor

I am from Cincinnati so I was very far away from home and I did not get to go home very often. In order to not miss home so much I made sure that I talked to my parents a lot either through phone, email, or texting. This made me feel like I was home in a way and it also made me not feel weird when I did get to go home! Keeping up good communication with my parents was probably the best thing I did fall semester of my freshman year and every semester after that! - Amanda Bradley, 2009 Camp Counselor

 Simply saying "War Eagle." No one else has a phrase that means as much to their students, alumni and fans as "War Eagle" means to Auburn men and women. It is our battle cry and our greeting for each other. Nothing makes me happier than being somewhere unfamiliar and hearing those meaningful words from another Auburn person. - Mike Geeslin, 2009 Camp Counselor

My favorite Auburn tradition is "Hey Day" that occurs in the fall. It is my favorite because I think that it truly embodies how friendly Auburn is as a whole campus, and how friendly each individual is here at Auburn. It does an excellent job of showing what it means to be a part of the "Auburn family" - Kristi MeGahee, 2009 Camp Counselor

My favorite Auburn tradition is the Samford Bell Tower, which plays the Fight Song at Noon everyday. I absolutely LOVE Auburn, so this daily incorporation of the Auburn spirit is something I looked forward to each and everyday! - Becca Bowers, 2009 Camp Counselor

For three days and two nights at CWE, we are going to do everything we can to prepare the freshmen for the greatest experience of their lives.  Auburn is an incredible school, and many of the freshmen students don't realize how many opportunities and adventures are waiting for them when they get here.  That's where CWE comes in.  The transition from high school to college can definitely be overwhelming, but an orientation program like ours will allow them to ask any questions they have and feel much more comfortable about knowing what to expect.  Of course, they will register for classes and learn the basics about the first few months of class, but it's even more.  Knowing the best restaurants, finding the perfect organization to join, and making your first friends at a school of over 24,000, all of these happen at CWE and I can't wait to be one of the people to help my freshmen open up their eyes and their minds to THEIR Auburn experience. - Caitlin Moulton, 2009 Camp Counselor

Camp War Eagle is designed to help make the transition to your first year of college as smooth as possible. We will answer all and any questions that you may have along with orienting you with Auburn's campus. - Drew Cullen, 2009 Camp Counselor

My biggest mistake as a freshman was thinking that school would be as easy for me as it was in high school. After being very disappointed in myself when I got my final grades from my first semester at Auburn, I decided to change my attitude about school. It took me realizing that Auburn University was the road to my future and actually learning the information rather than memorizing it was absolutely necessary. - Caitlin Clark, 2009 Camp Counselor

I think that first semester freshmen year my biggest mistake was not taking classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays and not working to fill my time. This caused my sleep schedule to be really messed up because I would stay awake all night on Mondays and Wednesdays studying and sleep all day on Tuesdays and Thursdays to make up for my lack of sleep. I would recommend that freshmen at least schedule something every day to make themselves get up and be productive. - Bailey Debardeleben, 2009 Camp Counselor