Whether this is your first time living away from home or you’re already a seasoned boarder, starting university brings a unique mix of nerves and excitement. As you begin this new chapter at NYU Abu Dhabi, you may be wondering what lies ahead, and how to make the most of it.
Three upperclassmen, Hamdah Alansaari (Class of 2027), Dinobi Ibegbu (Class of 2026), and Mark Ndungu (Class of 2026) reflect on their experiences and share their advice for first-year students.
What’s the adjustment like to living away from home and becoming more independent?
Ibegbu: I went to boarding school for both middle and high school and thought I had already learned independence and was even a master at it by that point. But being a university student is very different from being a high school student; your responsibilities are entirely your own.
Nobody will force you to take notes in class, and sometimes you might not know a single person in your class who could tell you what you missed if you drift off into a daydream. You need to learn not only how to be far from family and friends at home, but also how to be your own person.
Alansaari: I’m fortunate that my family is still in the UAE, so I can go home most weekends, but living on campus still means learning to take responsibility for myself. As intimidating as that was initially, it pushed me to explore my community, meet different people, and learn more about myself in the process.
How did you adjust to the academic workload, Core Curriculum, and expectations at NYUAD?
Ibegbu: From counseling at the health center, student support coaching, to creating a four-year plan with the Academic Resource Center (ARC), I’m grateful that the support system here is fantastic. For courses, try asking upperclassmen about the specific course names and professors to find out if their teaching styles, workload, and expectations align with your plans for the semester.
What would you have done differently during your first semester?
Alansaari: I wish I had given myself more time to adjust both academically and socially. I jumped straight into relatively difficult requirements while also wanting to experience everything that came with being a first-year. If I could do it again, I would create a more balanced schedule and ease myself into university academics. Socially, I would tell myself that just because everyone around you is doing something doesn’t mean you have to do it too. If you constantly have to compromise yourself to fit in with certain people, they may simply not be your people.
Tips on making friends in the NYUAD community?
Ndungu: I consider myself an introvert, so finding my community was definitely a process. I eventually realized that shared interests are often what bring people together. Environmental conservation is something I care deeply about, and volunteering at The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi gave me an opportunity to connect with people who shared that interest. Experiences like that helped me find friends and a community while doing something I genuinely cared about.
Alansaari: I would encourage first-years not to stay only within what feels familiar. There are so many incredible people at NYUAD, and you shouldn’t let something as simple as a passport determine who you think you can connect with. There are so many Student Interest Groups (SIGs) and social spaces where people with similar interests meet up, whether that is crafting, sports, or socializing over coffee. My closest friendships grew from those spaces.
Ibegbu: Don’t be afraid to be the first to reach out, and don’t be nervous about forming bonds with people from cultures completely different from yours. Expanding your horizons and worldview only helps you grow as a person. Be confident even when it’s tough, be patient, and don’t worry, because you will definitely find your people.
Any clubs, activities, events, or campus opportunities you wish you had discovered sooner?
Alansaari: Definitely the Career Development Center and the Athletics Center. There are so many resources and facilities available that I didn’t properly explore until my sophomore year. I wish I had been less hesitant and taken advantage of them earlier.
The campus elevators are also regularly packed with posters about upcoming events and activities so make sure you check those out as well. You don’t need to know exactly what you want to do yet; putting yourself in these spaces is how you start discovering things.
Ibegbu: I wish I had discovered volunteering opportunities with Civic Engagement and Service, both on and off campus earlier. You will meet like-minded people who share your passion for helping others and making an impact, and you gain a lot of valuable experience. I’d also advise incoming freshmen to really explore during the Student Life Fest at the beginning of the semester.
If you could go back and give your first-year self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Alansaari: You deserve everything you have earned. You belong in the spaces you are in and that is why you are there in the first place. Your differences are an advantage, not a disadvantage. Take it easy on yourself. You are only human.
Ndungu: Be open to experiences. If you have an idea for something that sounds fun, don't just let it sit in your head, go do it. Some of my best memories at NYUAD have come from simply acting on an idea and seeing where it takes me.
Ibegbu: You are not alone. Imposter syndrome is completely normal, and the admissions team did not make a mistake accepting you. You belong here for a reason, and you can handle it. When things get tough, there is no shame in reaching out for help and taking advantage of the resources available to you. That's why they are there, so don't wait until it's too late.
