Campus Life

Five Things I Wish I Knew Before Coming to Georgetown

Kirk Z.
February 16, 2022

Here at Georgetown, there are lots of opportunities. So many, in fact, that it can be hard to know how to take advantage of all of them! As I think back on my undergrad experience with less than 100 days before my graduation, here are five things I wish I knew before coming to Georgetown:

 1. Professors are here to help, both academically and professionally!

Across the board, my Georgetown professors have made themselves available to meet with students in office hours. Regardless of the number of students in a given class, professors want to get to know you, and they’re an incredible resource for academic questions and career advice.

I regularly talk with professors about my career aspirations, and in many instances, they’ve connected me with internship opportunities and helped me grow my professional network. Thanks to office hour conversations, I’ve been able to volunteer at National Geographic’s live events, and I interned for Conservation X Labs after my sophomore year.

Me (left), with National Geographic photographer Paul Nicklen (center) and my research partner Bobby V. (right, SFS ‘22). Bobby and I conducted research into the impact Paul Nicklen’s photographs have had on Arctic policy. When Nicklen spoke at National Geographic’s HQ, we had the chance to interview him and volunteer at his presentation!

 

2. There are so many ways to take advantage of Georgetown’s DC location — but it requires intentional effort.

Georgetown’s campus is located, in my opinion, in a location that’s the best of both worlds: close enough to downtown DC that I can jog to the National Mall, but isolated enough for me to escape the hustle of the city whenever I want to. It’s been super fun to explore DC while studying at Georgetown — I’ve gone into the city for concerts, to try restaurants, and for so much more, but it takes commitment to make time in a Georgetown’s student’s busy schedule to break “the Georgetown bubble” and go into DC. It’s totally worth it, though!

Unicycling down to the National Mall! Perhaps not the typical way to explore DC, but a fun way, nonetheless!

3. There’s almost always a friend who’s willing to do that activity with you — you just have to ask.

Heading to Lau to study? Someone on your floor probably has homework to do, too. Hungry? Someone on your floor is probably hungry, too.

Especially in my first couple months at Georgetown, I pushed myself to do as many things as possible with other people as I worked to make new friends. I was amazed at how a smile “want to get dinner?” text can quickly blossom into an incredible friendship!

Everyone at Georgetown is looking to make friends, and a simple question can go a long way.

With Jacob (SFS ‘22), my neighbor in Harbin Hall, and the recipient of many of my “want to get dinner?” texts!

4. Your Georgetown experience is your own — take ownership of it.

From friends, to deans, to professors, there’s a remarkable group of people ready to support you throughout your time at Georgetown. But at the end of the day, only you know what you want your Georgetown experience to be, so it’s up to you to shape it. Yes, there are required classes to take. But if you see a cool elective that might satisfy one of those requirements, ask your dean if you can take it! You never know what the answer is going to be until you ask.

5. Four years go by fast, but there’s so much to do and experience.

In some ways, it’s hard for me to believe it’s been four years since I first arrived on campus. And yet, as I think about how I felt those first few days on campus — the nerves, the unknowns — I realize how much I’ve grown.

Georgetown has pushed me, but it’s always been there to catch me if I fall. Georgetown has asked a lot of me, but it’s given me the tools to answer the call. Above all, Georgetown has given me four wonderful years filled with the greatest friends and memories I could’ve asked for.

I’m incredibly grateful for my Georgetown experience, and I’m excited for you to create a Georgetown experience of your own.

With members of the Georgetown Admissions Ambassador Program (GAAP) Board! Photo taken by Anna Y. (COL ‘24).
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