Welcome to Colby! And welcome to “Stalled,” a poster series that provides suggestions to help you maximize your academic success. Why is it called “Stalled?” We hope to give you advice before your schoolwork stalls. Also, you’ll find these posters in the bathrooms stalls of academic buildings several times each semester! 

PREPARING TO COME TO COLBY 

SCHEDULE IT IN. You’ve received your Fall ’25 class schedule over the summer. So, schedule all class times in your calendar. We suggest that you familiarize yourself with Google Calendar, since Colby uses Google’s suite of software. If you need help, see the Stalled poster from February 2024 on Google Calendar by using the QR code or link to the Stalled archive at the bottom of this poster.

BE READY TO STUDY. To know how much time to devote to each class, you need to know that every 1 hour of class time requires 2-3 hours of study/work time. So, if you have a 3-hour class, expect to spend about 9 hours a week studying, doing homework, and completing assignments for that one class. It’s a good idea to schedule that work/study time on your calendar so that you know that you’re giving each class its due attention. 

READ ORIENATATION MATERIAL. You’ll have a lot of information given to you during your orientation, so be ready to organize that material. Know that you’ll receive some paper resources during orientation, so have a binder or large plastic envelope to store it in. And bring a notebook to take notes during orientation sessions.

COMPLETE ONLINE ORIENTATION. Colby’s online orientation is created to get you ready for in-person orientation, because we know that leaving home for college is a big transition! So be sure to complete the online orientation tasks so that you can make the most of the in-person orientation.

WHAT TO DO WHEN ON CAMPUS

GET TO KNOW THE CAMPUS. During orientation, explore spots on campus like the Harold Alfond Athletics and Recreation Center and Miller Library. Make sure also to find the classrooms for each of your courses, once they’ve been assigned later this summer. Need help finding a room or building? Ask your orientation leader!

MEET PEOPLE. Orientation is a great time to get to know your fellow first-year students! You’ll also have opportunities to meet other students, staff members, and faculty. Ask fellow new students about what classes they’ll be taking, and ask folks who’ve been around Colby longer about Colby traditions, their favorite spots on campus, or which cafeteria they like best.

UPDATE! Once you know when your major tests happen and assignments are due (which you’ll find out when Fall ’25 starts), add them to your Google calendar. Then, be sure to schedule work and study time for them. Yes, we do recommend blocking off time in your calendar to study for exams (hint: a regular study session for each class will be more effective, and less stressful, than trying to cram right before an exam!). Be sure to change your calendar right away if any changes to those dates are announced in any of your classes.

DON’T OVERDO IT.It would be easy to overpack your schedule with lots of club meetings, sports events, performances, and other activities. Such events are great ways to meet people and develop your knowledge, so do take advantage of them! But pay attention to your energy levels and available time, and don’t do so many things that your schoolwork — or self-care — suffers.

FURTHER RESOURCES 

Every issue of Stalled contains resources and/or related references, as well as a link to the Stalled archive.

Cherry, K. “How to Start a Conversation.” VeryWellMind, 2023. 

Colby College. Campus Interactive Map.

Colby College First-Year Experience. Orientation.

Colby College. Office of Campus Life. 

Google. Get Started with Google Calendar.

Stalled archive, listed by subject.

University of Pittsburgh. Time Management Calculator.