New NIU freshman will find opportunities throughout the school year to get comfortable with college life.

Students who are homesick should “get involved” in all the activities not only in the residence halls but also across campus, said Sheryl Mullis, Lincoln and Douglas Hall Area Coordinator.

“Once students have an investment in Northern, homesickness feelings will lessen,” Mullis said.

Students in the Lincoln-Douglas Hall area can get involved and meet new people by joining committees including programming and activities, black students committees or sports and tournament committees, Mullis said. Aerobics clubs and the Lincoln Hall weight room are also available, she said.

If students are interested in starting a new activity, their resident assistants (RA) or senior staff members will be able to help them, Mullis said.

As and returning students who take on leadership roles are important in developing communities on the floor to help new students feel safe and not alone, said Douglas Hall director Linda Korshoreck.

“The most important thing (for RAs to do) is to make it like home,” said staff assistant and past RA Tammy Tibetts, a senior math major.

As help form a community by encouraging people to talk to each other and by making introductions among floor members, Tibetts said.

The first university employee students should talk to if they need advice or just someone to eat with is their RA, she said.

“Last year I had freshmen who needed me and that was what made my job rewarding,” she said.