Tufts Blogs

For many students, including myself, the introduction to college can be scary. It is such a different world from high school, and you are leaving behind the community you may have known your whole life. This can feel especially true when you are the first in your family to go to college. Moving over 1849 miles away from home, I was nervous that I would not be able to connect with anyone.

That is why I decided to do a pre-orientation. Pre-orientation lets you come to campus a week before orientation for first-years and transfers, making the transition to college a little easier. There are a lot of options for pre-orientation programs, but I chose Building Engagement and Access for Students at Tufts (BEAST). BEAST focuses on supporting students who may be first-generation, high-need, or come from diverse residency backgrounds. It is run by the FIRST Resource Center, which is dedicated to helping students from these backgrounds with both resources and community.

During BEAST, I was introduced to so many resources that showed me how Tufts supports its students. Did you know you can receive up to $500 for textbooks or even a laptop? Or that the FIRST Resource Center can loan you a laptop if you do not have one? They even have a library of textbooks you can borrow for different classes. On top of that, they helped me figure out financial aid, which is how I found my work-study job, and they walked me through all the mental health resources available on campus.

But honestly, the biggest thing BEAST gave me was community. The BEAST peer leaders were some of the most supportive, kind, and real people I have met at Tufts. Even though the program only lasted four days, I built friendships that have lasted all the way into my junior year. And even with people I did not know super well, BEAST gave us this shared bond. I will see someone from the program on campus, and just exchanging a smile or a wave makes Tufts feel a little smaller and a lot more welcoming. That is the power of BEAST. It gives you connections that carry you through all four years.

And the support does not stop once BEAST is over. The FIRST Resource Center continues to be that day one support system. They host events like craft nights, bingo with big prizes, winter clothing drives, and even thrifting events. Whether you are dealing with an academic challenge, financial aid, studying abroad, professional development, or just looking for new opportunities, the staff are always willing to help. Chris Campbell, the Director, and Cara Zampino, the Associate Director, are great examples of this. They may hold big titles, but they are always available to meet with students one-on-one. That is what makes the FIRST Center so important. It is not just a place with resources; it is a community that truly advocates for students to feel less scared.