Freshmen Receive Campus Encouragement Before Exam Week

Finals week can be stressful no matter how many semesters you’ve been at Georgia Tech. While the pressure of final exams may never truly go away, even for upperclassmen, fearing the unexpected and adapting to the college exams process adds a new level of stress to every freshman’s first finals week. With this in mind, organizations across campus have partnered to bring Georgia Tech’s newest initiative, Freshman First.

“This is the time of year where freshmen really start to question themselves,” said Rick Clark, director of Undergraduate Admission and chair of Georgia Tech's Staff Council. “But we can change that. We can do something right before freshmen take exams just to say, ‘We believe in you. We are here for you.’ This feels like something we should be doing.” 

On Thursday, Dec. 3, at 3:30 p.m., Georgia Tech is asking faculty, staff, and students to line Brittain Drive (also known as Yellow Jacket Alley) in support for the freshman class. Freshmen will be led through the crowd by The Ramblin’ Wreck, the Georgia Tech Band, and Buzz. Festivities will follow in Callaway Plaza where students will hear motivational messages from President G.P. “Bud” Peterson, undergraduate Student Government Association President Jen Abrams, and Wreckless. Waffle House and Chick-fil-A will serve free food, coffee, and hot chocolate, and Barnes & Noble at Georgia Tech will raffle off prizes including iPads.

Clark encourages everyone on campus, including staff members, instructors, and upperclassmen, to take part in the community event.

“Freshmen need to see their faculty members, who are about to give them these exams, saying, ‘You can do it,’” he said. “Similarly, upperclassmen should come out to demonstrate their support and desire to see the next generation do well. This is an opportunity for the Georgia Tech community to come together.”

Help get the word out across campus by using #freshmanfirst on social media and follow @freshmanfirst on Twitter for updates. For more information, visit c.gatech.edu/freshmanfirst.