Not studying in the library can be a hot take, but there are a couple reasons that make the library not the best option for every study session. The environment you study in can greatly impact your concentration and productivity. Because the library is the default study spot for most students, it can get crowded and loud, especially during exam weeks. It can be easy to get distracted while studying at the library with tour groups filtering in and out, friends popping up, and loud study groups even on the upper floors. Similarly, finding a seat in the library is time consuming during peak hours and exam seasons. Whether you’re looking for a fresh space or secret spots, there are a variety of options of where to study instead.
When the weather is nice, William & Mary’s campus has many outdoor areas that are favorable to studying. Swem patio tables (with umbrellas!), the Sunken Garden chairs, Sadler Terrace, and the various benches, tables, and chairs around campus are perfect spots to enjoy the outdoors while getting work done!
Another great idea for a study spot are the meeting rooms in ISC. Similar to the study rooms in Swem, there are a number of small meeting rooms in ISC that have whiteboard walls and comfy chairs that are perfect for small groups or a quiet concentration spot.
The Wellness Center is a serene spot to study if you’re looking for nature views and a quiet, air-conditioned environment. They even have comfy chairs and couches surrounded by walls of glass outlooking the trails.
After classes conclude in the academic buildings, classrooms are open for studying. If you have a favorite classroom, consider making it your next study area!
If you have the ability to travel off campus, there are many coffee shops and restaurants where you can study. Aromas is within walking distance from campus, and is a great study spot for those who work well in cafe environments. Restaurants like Panera and Starbucks are farther, but also serve as good places to work!
Aside from stellar academics and activities, one William & Mary’s best assets is its photogenicism. The following list contains some of the most picturesque places on campus along with photos I’ve taken.
Crim Dell Bridge
The Crim Dell Bridge is known to be one of the best picture spots around campus during all seasons!
Wren Building
The oldest American academic building still in use and also a great picture spot!
ISC windows
Check out these beautifully painted windows on the upper level of ISC!
Business School
The Business School has beautiful architecture perfect for a quick picture!
Wellness center
The tall windows capture both the relaxing feel of the wellness center and the beautiful nature that surrounds campus.
Sunken garden + surrounding area
The Sunken Garden and its surrounding area are perfect spots for pictures. I personally love the willow tree!
Lake Matoaka
The amphitheater and trails are great spots to capture the beauty of Lake Matoaka (especially at golden hour!)
College can be a stressful environment, so it’s important to recognize the signs when you might need to take a mental health day. (This is by no means an extensive list or professional advice. For emergencies contact the appropriate resources.)
Feeling run down
Low motivation
Lost ability to focus and concentrate during class
There are so many interesting classes to choose from at William & Mary. To get a sense of how many awesome subjects there are to learn about here, I asked a couple William & Mary students what their favorite classes have been:
Alena Jones ‘26
Mermaid Tales with Professor Francessca Sawaya and Capitalism and Revolution with Professor Elliot Warren
“I would say Mermaid Tales was a really good class while transitioning into W&M because it’s the type of class that similar types of people enroll in. Professor Sawaya also does an incredible job of helping us make personal connections with other class members with collaborative assignments that help us build off each other’s ideas. Capitalism and Revolution helped me confirm my decision to want to major in history at William & Mary and made me completely rethink the importance of European history in the broader global context.”
Emma Dunlop ‘26
Social Psychology with Dr. Moloney
“Her lessons were engaging and always connected to relevant, present-day topics. Also, the assignments were fun and thought-provoking. It was a great way to spend my mornings!”
Audrey Rasmussen ‘26
Emerging Diseases with Dr. Sher
“We talked about major diseases in history and public health response to these diseases, as well as current outbreaks around the world. The scientific journal articles we read were super interesting, and I enjoyed my research for our final paper. My writing and presentation skills improved because of this class and Dr. Sher’s excellent feedback!”
Mia Honda ‘26
Books and Biases with Professor Conradi Smith
“We got to do some cool research about children’s books that we all most likely read as kids!”
Arleigh Wagoner ‘26
History of Western Music with Professor La Barre
“I enjoyed listening to and learning about music and how its changed over time. Plus, as someone who reads/plays music, I learned a lot about the history of notation, the development of instruments, and how the broad term ‘classical music’ is divided into categories I’d never known before! The professor was fantastic and I loved the required concert assignments and listening maps!”
Aneesa Parish ‘24
Evolution of Organisms with Professor Murphy
When it comes to the course, I believe that was the best evolution class I’ve ever taken, and I am not a theory-based biology student. I was nervous at first, but the way she structured her lectures, she gives breaks where you can ask her to repeat something even if you’re a tad bit confused. Coming from that 300 level course, I knew everything so much more in depth. The environment is great and Professor Murphy really cares for her students as far as understanding as well as mentally, especially when you’re taking orgo and physics together along with her class (most of us were in Junior fall semester). For reference, I was really struggling mentally with everything going on towards the end of the semester and broke down in her office over a quiz I didn’t think I’d have time to take. She laughed, offered tissues, and just said, ‘take an extra day or don’t take it.’ She has her class structured for students like me with extra assignments just in case you aren’t able to get to one later in the semester.”
Sarah Callahan ‘26
American Medical History 1750-1950 with Professor Brennan
“I’m not even a STEM major, I just took it for fun and she made it very accessible by explaining how the US perception of the body changed over time. We also took a field trip to the exhibit in Williamsburg where the public hospital used to be, which was essentially a mental asylum that sanctioned questionable treatment methods using 18th and 19th century medical knowledge.”
Chiara Leupke ‘25
History of Christianity with Professor Angelov
“It was a fascinating, thought-provoking class that left me talking and thinking about the topics outside of class. The course focuses on how Christian theology developed and spans from ancient Greco-Roman society to the current state of religion post-Reformation. As an economics major, this class gave me the liberal arts experience that W&M is known for.
Josep Ocampo ‘25
Nation, Race, & Gender in South Asia with Professor Zutshi
“Last year, I took a class about a region I had little to no knowledge of. The course was Nation, Race, & Gender in South Asia taught by Professor Zutshi. Learning about how the interplay between race and gender shaped the nation and its evolution from the Mughal period up to the present was truly fascinating. Prior to this class, I hadn’t envisioned studying gender to be as insightful as it was. It changed the way that I viewed society and made me notice the similarities and differences in what a nation means/meant across different geopolitical regions. I gained a new way to look at the world and I expect I’ll take many more eye-opening classes during my time here.”
As the second oldest university in the United States, William & Mary has collected a load of interesting facts and accomplishments. This blog post contains an accumulation of some little known and interesting facts about our university!
Most people know how William & Mary is the second oldest college in America, but did you know that William & Mary was planned ahead of Harvard? While Harvard opened first, original plans for the college began in 1618 for a location in Henrico, VA, but were later abandoned. With this being said, William & Mary was planned before Williamsburg was even a town. Williamsburg was developed in honor of King William III and became the new capital in 1699.
Have you ever taken a class in the Wren Building? To put into perspective how historically significant this academic building is, construction began in 1695! While renovated to upkeep the structural integrity, The Wren Building remains the oldest American college building still in use. The Wren building housed the legislature during the construction of the new capitol.
William & Mary went on to become the first college to have a full faculty, elective system, honor system, a fraternity (Phi Beta Kappa), programs in modern languages, political economy, and modern history. Do you live in the Botetourt complex? Did you know that Lord Botetourt donated gold medals for the college’s first collection of medallic prizes? In 1779, William & Mary was the first college in America to open a law school, making it the first university in the nation. Over its time, the university has educated three U.S. presidents including Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, and John Tyler. George Washington also received his surveyor’s license at William & Mary! William & Mary received a statue of Thomas Jefferson as a gift from the University of Virginia, (Thomas Jefferson founded UVA!), in 1993 that can be found between Washington Hall and McGlothlin Hall.
You might be familiar with Lodge 1 In the ground floor of the Sadler Center, but do you know where the name originated from? Lodge 1 was originally the location of an 8th lodge on campus. Since demolished for the construction and expansion of the Sadler Center, a lodge was a small house-like residential option. The Sunken Garden did not actually sink on its own, but was designed after the Chelsea Hospital gardens in London and was initially used as a campground for troops.
More recently, William & Mary’s student body and alumni have maintained impressive accomplishments. William & Mary is considered a public ivy for its prestigious academic program. 83% of classes at W&M have fewer than 40 students and nearly 50% have fewer than 20 students! As of 2020, for 12 years in a row, William & Mary was named a top producer of Peace Corps volunteers.
Sources
“The College of William and Mary.” Virginia Museum of History & Culture, virginiahistory.org/learn/college-william-and-mary. Accessed 30 July 2023.
“Cool Facts.” William & Mary, www.wm.edu/about/history/coolfacts/index.php. Accessed 30 July 2023.
Eickel, Ryan, and Elsewhere on W&M Blogs. “Sir Christopher Wren and 5 Other Little Known Facts about the College.” The William & Mary Blogs, 10 Oct. 2014, wmblogs.wm.edu/ryan/sir-christopher-wren-and-5-other-little-known-facts-about-the-college/.
Frances WongFrances was born in Hong Kong and received her bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University. She loves super sad drama television. “10 Fun Facts about the College of William and Mary.” AdmitSee, 17 Sept. 2021, www.admitsee.com/blog/10-fun-facts-about-the-college-of-william-and-mary. “History & Traditions.” William & Mary, www.wm.edu/about/history/index.php. Accessed 30 July 2023.
FGLI is a somewhat new term that institutions use to describe first-generation and limited-income students. While the two identities are not synonymous, students who identify as either FG or LI, tend to have similar questions and concerns about attending college.
Whether you identify as FG, LI, or both FGLI, you have overcome barriers and defeated the odds to get here. You have made it. You are about to attend The College of William and Mary in Virginia. Entering the unknown and beginning a journey no one before you has done is both scary and exciting. Here are a few tips to help you navigate your undergraduate experience as a FGLI student.
#1. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask For Help: IT’S OKAY IF YOU DON’T KNOW SOMETHING!
William and Mary has many different resources across the entire campus to support FGLI students. Additionally, the faculty and all professional staff are eager to help you succeed here. If you are struggling with academics, financial aid, mental health, registration, finding engagement opportunities, and more – there is someone who can help you. FGLI students often do not want to draw attention to their FGLI identity and are more than likely than their non-FGLI peers to not ask for help and can struggle in the midst of the unknown and confusion. Don’t be embarrassed! You should be so proud of yourself and whoever you ask, will see that too and be excited to support you and answer any questions you may have. This is uncharted territory; no question is a stupid question.
#2. Explore your non-academic interests: Everyone knows you are smart and more than capable of succeeding in academics – that’s why you are here! While academics are the core of your college experience, be sure to explore what engagement and extracurricular activities William and Mary offers. With 475+ Recognized Student Organizations to choose from (including a FGLI Student Organization), you are sure to find your people and build positive, meaningful relationships with the campus community.
#3. Find a Time Management Strategy that Works for You: Many FGLI students have to work a job while balancing their undergraduate studies. Don’t rely solely on your brain to manage your time and responsibilities. Find a time management strategy that works for you. Whether it be an Outlook or Google Calendar, a paper planner, a dry-erase board, or sticky notes above your desk – stay organized and discover how you can manage your time, roles, and responsibilities in a way that keeps you on track and reduces stress. If you need help, the Tutor Zone (along with tutoring in all classes), offers free time management consultations.
#4. Go to Office Hours: Not every student is familiar with seemingly obvious collegiate terms. Office hours, for example, is a reoccurring, pre-scheduled time when professors are available to meet and work with students outside of class. Use this time to your advantage. Go and ask questions, get help with content if you are struggling, and build these relationships with your professors. Additionally, building these relationships can open the door to other opportunities (like research positions, mentorship relationships, graduate school application support, and more). They are experts in their field and are here to help you and strengthen you intellectual development.
#5. Be Kind and Patient with Yourself: You are doing something AMAZING. You are HERE. This is new, unknown territory and you will figure it out! There is always a learning curve when trying something new and that will happen in college too. You are trying your best. Unfortunately, mistakes and errors will be made during your college years. You are not doomed and your life isn’t over. Get up, try again, ask for help, and be kind to yourself! Be patient – it will be okay! You are capable and worthy.
Also, seek mental health care when you need it. William & Mary has a great counseling center for students to seek counseling and mental health support anonymously and free. Check out their website, here.
FGLI students hold a unique and important role within every college community. William and Mary specifically, has many resources and personnel here to help support you. Student Transition Engagement Programs (STEP) hosts many FGLI-specific events and engagement opportunities and has a Graduate Assistant, Carlie Carter who works specifically with FGLI students at William and Mary. Sign up for the FGLI Newsletter here and stay engaged with STEP and stay in the know of FGLI events and support opportunities.
College is not only a time for discovery in extracurricular activities, but also a time to find what study techniques are the best fit for you. To assist you in finding your best fit study method, here are 8 active recall study methods and techniques to try during this upcoming semester.
Listen to recordings
How: Create recordings of yourself or someone else explaining the topic you want to remember and listen to throughout the day. You can also record lectures if permissible by the professor to listen to while studying.
Why: This is convenient for studying on the go! It also leads your brain to listening subconsciously and better retention of information.
Teach someone else
How: Pretend to teach someone else the information you are trying to study
Why: Teaching someone else forces you to think of ways to have someone else remember the information you are teaching. In doing so, you can memorize the information better.
Condense chapter / lesson into key sentences
How: Write key sentence overviews or bullet points of what you have learned / read.
Why: Condensing information forces your brain to alter the information to fit it into a smaller scale. This can make your memory on the topic stronger, and it provides a good one sentence to remember during test time!
Memory palace
What: Convert your memories into visual images around a mental memory palace.
How: Visualize a memorable location (ie. your dorm or classroom) and place what you want to remember in certain areas of that location. To remember, you can mentally walk through the palace to remember where you stored each piece of information.
Why: Associating information with a visual palace you’re familiar with connects something you already know with something you want to remember. This helps your brain create an imprint with what you want to remember and is a fun way to memorize!
Study group discussions
How: Get together with a group of friends and discuss what you are working on in class.
Why: Sometimes talking with friends can create a lasting impact on your memory of the topic. If someone says something funny or interesting you’re more likely to remember it! Also if working on projects, assignments, or studying for the class, study groups can provide other perspectives.
Design a test on the topic
How: This method is great for transferring notes into flashcards after a lecture. Create a collection of short answer questions in your own words with bullet points of the main points you should have in your answer. Study this test by either speaking the answers or writing them down.
Why: Designing a short-answer test in your own words not only creates a connection in your brain, it also will lead to new answers each time you study! Using bullet points in the initial answers will help you remember the key information to remember while also forcing your brain to come up with a unique answer each time you study the test.
Blurting
How: Blurting is an active recall technique where you brain dump all the information you can remember. Write down everything you know about a topic, then go back and check to see if you missed anything. If you did, find the information and fill it in. Repeat until you remember everything! Blurting is good to do after reading textbooks or a lecture!
Why: Blurting drives your brain to actively recall information and shows you which information is not adequately retained!
Make connections between your life and the lesson
How: Making connections between your life and what you’re learning helps personalize and make the information seem more important. Try to find a connection in your own life with what you learn in class. OR, research into a celebrity or historical figure that might be connected to what you’re learning.
Ex. If you are learning anatomy and can connect it to when you were injured.
Why: When your life and the lesson are connected, you’re more likely to be interested in learning about it. The information is no longer just a paragraph in your textbook, but a real life scenario that you can either relate to or remember more easily!
First and second year students typically don’t have access to cars on campus, however, Williamsburg has an excellent transportation system that can help students get wherever they need to be.
Getting around Williamsburg
Zipcar
Zipcars are self-service vehicles that can be reserved online located on Wake Drive and in the OD lot off of James Blair Drive. Zipcars can be utilized to make short trips around the Williamsburg area. A membership is $25 a year and a trip costs beginning at $11/hour. More information: https://www.wm.edu/offices/auxiliary/parkingandtransportation/transportation/zipcar/index.php
Airport shuttles depart from Sadler Terrace and operate shuttle service to and from Richmond International and Newport News International. Reservation and payment are required before the travel date. The service costs $50 each way, and a limited number of students who sign up first will have the discounted price of $25 during select breaks. More Information: https://www.wm.edu/offices/auxiliary/parkingandtransportation/transportation/outoftown/index.php
Amtrak
The Amtrak station is located close to campus and offers transportation to various stops between Williamsburg, Richmond, Washington DC, and New York. More Information: https://www.amtrak.com/home
The Civic Leadership Program is a three semester program for first and second year students. Fifteen selected students are allotted $800 for a community-impact summer project and two one-credit course opportunities. Learn more here: https://www.wm.edu/offices/oce/programs/civic_leadership_program/index.php
Alternative Breaks
During a fall, spring, or summer break, Branch Out Alternative Breaks provide undergraduate, graduate, and professional students the free opportunity to travel and engage in service-based learning. Learn more here: https://www.wm.edu/offices/oce/programs/branchout/index.php
Williamsburg Engagement
Williamsburg Engagement offers the opportunity to volunteer weekly in a community organization during a semester. They connect students with a nonprofit organization, where students can participate in weekly community engagement projects and reflect on their experience through conversation. Learn more here: https://www.wm.edu/offices/oce/programs/we/index.php
Service Saturdays
Service Saturdays connect students with community organizations for one-time volunteer opportunities. Three opportunities are available for each Service Saturday, typically around two to three hours. Learn more here: https://www.wm.edu/offices/oce/programs/service-days/index.php
Education and Youth Development Programs
The Education and Youth Development Programs offer students the opportunity to support the healthy development of pre K-12 youth through academic and social-emotional programming. Students in the program provide a semester to a year of weekly mentoring, tutoring, enrichment programs and more. Learn more here: https://www.wm.edu/offices/oce/programs/education-programs/index.php
Volunteer with Virginia Institute Of Marine Science (VIMS)
University Advancement offers students opportunities to join leadership boards and volunteer groups to support William & Mary. Learn more here: https://advancement.wm.edu/volunteer-leadership/
As we near the last month of summer, consider taking the time to prepare yourself for the upcoming semester. Everyone has their unique way of greeting a new academic semester. Here are a few ideas of how to prepare yourself for a new set of courses, exams, and a new schedule.
Set up a planner or calendar
Setting up a planner or calendar with important due dates for assignments, exam dates, social commitments, work tasks, and more will give you an overview of what your schedule looks like and help you keep track of deadlines.
Take a walk around campus
If it’s your first semester on campus, consider taking a walk around, go inside buildings, find roughly where your classes are to familiarize yourself with where everything is so you don’t lose time on the first day.
Begin creating a steady sleep schedule
During summer it can be easy to lose track of a steady sleep schedule, so a couple weeks before arriving on campus consider setting up a schedule as you would for school.
Familiarize yourself with available resources
There are so many great resources around William & Mary’s campus that are there to aid your academic and well-being needs. Similar to taking a walk around campus, familiarize yourself with the campus resources like the Wellness Center, Recreation Center, Dining Halls, Writing Center, etc.
Ask Questions
Beginning a new semester can be a confusing time especially if beginning your very first year at university. Taking the time to ask questions whether it be to professors, faculty, or other students, can help you gain a better understanding of what to expect in the upcoming semester!
