Supplemental Instruction sessions, also known as SI sessions, have helped me the most academically here at Auburn. Test-taking is just not one of my strengths, so attending SI sessions really gave me the extra preparation I needed in order to pass tests in my classes with the grades I knew I was fully capable of. It’s a great resource to help you make that transition to college because in high-school you could always bring up your grade with homework assignments and other minor grades, whereas in college, tests can make or break your grade.

-Christine Acker

The on campus resource that I have used the most is definitely the library. I cannot study in my room at home. I couldn’t when I was a freshman and I still can’t as a junior. I love the first floor, where there is a little noise but everyone is still getting down to business. I also love all of the resources located in the library. The computers and printers in the Learning Commons always come in handy and the Coffee Shop is a life saver.

-Haley Dean

The Miller Writing Center is certainly the resource that has helped me the most. Writing papers more often than ever before, it has been a lifesaver so many times and has made sure that my papers were always the best they could be. The Miller Writing Center really makes sure that you are submitting your best work.

-Kam Cox

A happy student does better academically. I have gone through a lot the past 4 years, and honestly Student Counseling Services gave me someone to talk to and help me in my personal life. This indirectly helped my academic performance.

-Nick Davis

The thing that has helped me the most academically is going to meet with my professors. For English classes, I always go to my professors’ officer hours to proofread my papers and I have had several times in classes that I went to meet with a professor when I didn’t do as well as I wanted to on an exam. Going to office hours ensures the teacher knows who I am, knows I want to succeed and care about my education, and ultimately helped me succeed on future exams and the overall class.

-Anna Cragon

The most difficult part of freshman year for me was learning how to manage my time. College is structured a lot differently than high school, and it took me awhile to adjust. I definitely recommend investing in a planner. The most exciting part of freshman year was having the opportunity to meet so many new people. Coming from out of state, I didn't really know anyone, and loved meeting other people from all over the country.

-Chelsea Crooks

Being a kind of quiet person sometimes the hardest part of freshman was probably stepping out of my comfort zone to meet new people. I was super nervous at first but it was the most exciting part of my freshman year. The friends I met then have already made a huge impact on my life and I don't know what I would do here without them.

-Paul Cook

The most difficult part was I think I expected to get here and quickly have a ton of friends and things to do all the time. And when I did not have that right away I kind of freaked out and felt like I was socially failing at college. I worried about it for a while until I did make some good friends and found out they felt the same way. The most exciting part was just all the opportunities I had. There were so many things to join and so many new experiences to have.

-Megan Borys

My favorite freshman year experience would have to be the late nights at the library with my roommates. One night in particular, around 2 in the morning, 4 guys dressed up as Gumby, a Banana, Batman, and a Gorilla started running around the library messing with people. The security guards started chasing them around the library and the entire library was cheering them on trying to watch what was happening. I wasn’t sure if I was imagining things because I had too much coffee or not. I remember calling my mom, scaring her half to death because it was so late, to tell her about what had just happened. Moral of the story, be prepared, this is college, and you never know what kind of crazy stuff is going to happen. Even in the library!

-Ashley Culpepper

I have too many incredible experiences from freshman year to choose just one, but all of my great memories include the people I have met through organizations I was involved with. There are hundreds of great organizations on Auburn's campus and there's no better way to meet people with similar interests and to forge friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.

-Jordan Craddock

Living on campus and just learning to live by myself was a really cool experience for me. I loved being surrounded by people and also making my own decisions.

-Allie Chapman

Camp War Eagle was when I really fell in love with Auburn. I chose to become a Camp War Eagle Counselor so that I could relive that moment and pass the same experience on to freshmen.

-Harley Glass

My time at Camp War Eagle was absolutely amazing and it is one of the main reasons I decided to attend Auburn. I loved my counselor and how he instantly made me a member of the Auburn family. His love and dedication to the university was evident and I knew during that summer of 2009 that I had to be a part of this fantastic organization! Furthermore, I truly desire to let Auburn's beautiful campus and student life speak for it by showing the freshman class of 2016 everything our great university has to offer.

-JT Howard

The reason I wanted to be a Camp War Eagle Counselor is that I love this time in a student’s life. The transition from high school to college can be just as exciting as it is scary! I want them to know that they are not alone. We all had the same anxieties as we moved away from home. I want to make an impact on their college career and be a resource for them throughout the year. Auburn has given me so much the past two years and I couldn’t think of a better way to give back to this university!

-Chelle Harbin

My greatest mistake was not going to my 8:00 AM history class. I ended up getting a C in that class and it was a very easy class if you just showed up. So I handled it by showing up to ALL my classes from then on out.

-Gabe Howard

My greatest mistake when I was a freshman was not getting involved as much as possible. When I was a freshman I was barely involved at Auburn and I did not branch out as much as I should have to make new friends. The past couple of years though, I have slowly gotten more involved and made many new friends in different areas of campus.

-Will Manning

My biggest mistake was probably waiting to learn how to study. I am finishing up my sophomore year and sometimes I wonder if I know how to study now. It is so important to jump into college classes and to stay ahead of the game. College classes are so different than high school classes, and I think it took me a while to realize that.

-Heather Duncan

Well, since I am a freshman now... My studying first semester was let's say, subpar. I always waited until the last minute to start studying. I soon learned that would not work. I have worked harder this semester to start studying earlier and more intensely.

-Patrick Marshall

My greatest mistake was not keeping a planner to keep up with everything from classes, homework, work, and organizations. It is very hard to remember everything that you have to get done and when to get it done let alone without planning it out. I handled it by buying a planner and planning everything even including studying and down time for myself.

-Kaycee Gabler

My greatest mistake as a freshman was not taking my grades seriously until mid-semester and then having to play catch up with my grades and causing myself unneeded stress. I handled it by learning to organize my time between work, school, and social life.

-Chelsea Lopez

GO TO CLASS.

-Meredith Jones

My best advice for freshmen regarding academics is to learn how to balance work and play. There will many opportunities to get involved and to make new friends, but set aside a time each day to focus on academics specifically.

-Harley Glass

My best piece of academic advice for incoming freshmen would be not to miss class because you learn the information so much better when a teacher teaches you instead of teaching yourself.

-Gage Griswold

STUDY, STUDY, STUDY. As much as I hate to study, it is honestly the key to success. Make sure you read your textbooks and take notes in class. Don’t wait until the last minute to start studying because pulling an all-nighter in the library is no fun! Also get a planner and write everything in it. My whole entire life is in my planner and if I lost it, I would literally not know what to do or where to go on a daily basis.

-Josh Huggins

For the incoming freshman, the one piece of advice would be to get involved with as much as you can. Coming from out of state and not knowing anyone down here I used the different involvement opportunities to meet people. Yes, at times I think I was a little too involved, but if I had the chance to do it all over again I wouldn't change a thing. So, get involved!

-Matt Simak

One piece of advice I would give to incoming freshman is to branch out and try new things. College is the time to try things you have always wanted to do, whether it is get involved in philanthropies or join an intramural or club athletic team. It is also a way to make a ton of new friends!

–Blake Mitchell

The best thing I did in Auburn was exploring things with an open mind. I would highly recommend taking advantage of things like Organization Days and volunteer fairs because they open your eyes to things you might not know you're interested in. By getting involved and engaged in either your specific college or on campus, you will develop a greater pride in our university and your academics, learn professional skills related to working with others, and will ultimately leave feeling more prepared and directed in your major or career path.

-Casey Stein

I would advise freshmen to go to their professors’ office hours! I remember that I was a little intimidated to go to office hours, but once I went I realized that it was no big deal! Professors honestly love it when you come. They can be really helpful, and it is good to get to know them if it is a big class, too!

-Kate Summers

Leaving Camp War Eagle, I hope that the freshmen feel prepared and excited to come to Auburn. I hope that they leave with new friends, a full class schedule, and enough coupons for free meals all of first semester!

–Amanda Medlock

I hope the freshman leave Camp War Eagle loving Auburn more. I hope the experience gives them more excitement to be here in the fall. Everyone deserves to have the kind of experience that makes him or her fall (even more) in love with Auburn.

–Sarah Moseley

I hope the freshmen will feel the beginnings of what it means to be an Auburn man or women and what the Auburn Family is. It may be clique, but it is without of the greatest things about Auburn.

-Will McManus

I hope that all of the freshmen get a glimpse of the true Auburn University during their short time at Camp War Eagle. The true Auburn University can only be described through personal experiences, lasting relationships, an overwhelming sense of school pride, and so much more. There’s this feeling - more than a feeling really, it’s a sort of deep-down unshakable loyalty - that comes with being a part of the Auburn Family, and you just can’t convey that in a brochure or a postcard. I hope Camp War Eagle gives the new freshmen at least a small taste of this special place that has truly become a part of me in the few years I’ve spent here. If they can walk away with that, they will be counting down the days until they return!

–Kristin Poole

Most importantly, for all students, I hope that they take away the information that will prepare them to be successful at Auburn. I'll be honest and say that I did not do a great job learning all the information that was given during my Camp War Eagle session, and I regret it. Camp War Eagle can help with the adjustment period to college, and if you don't take advantage, you'll be like me, getting lost and confused for the first couple weeks. Also, it is the first time you will be able to meet huge groups of other Auburn students. Making friends is completely underrated. I still talk and hang out with some of the people from my session and it is always a blast.

-Patrick Miller

My favorite Auburn tradition is to watch the eagle soar at the start of each home football game. This represents Auburns spirit and traditions.

-Mallory McCarthy

I love saying “War Eagle” to people I see across campus and across the country. It creates a bond between you and any random stranger. This simple greeting really generates and emphasizes the friendly atmosphere that helped me choose Auburn. It is a unique tradition that only the Auburn family can truly understand.

-Ashlin Stiehl

My favorite Auburn tradition would have to be the student section singing the Alma Mater after Auburn football games. It is a perfect example of the love that Auburn men and women share, and the camaraderie between students. It is a timeless song, and represents all that Auburn is. It's one of the many reasons I believe in Auburn and love it!

-Krista Thompson

My favorite Auburn tradition is rolling Toomer's Corner. Although I have only been on several occasions since I've been a student here, my childhood was Toomer's. Many of my stories from growing up an Auburn fan would involve a late night Auburn win and running to Toomer's with my family to roll it. There are not memories that can replace those.

–Sarah Moseley

FOOTBALL GAMES! I love being in the student section of Jordan Hare Stadium cheering on the Orange and Blue.

–Blake Mitchell