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Heel to Heel The Class of 2025 offers advice to the Class of 2029

By Brennan Doherty, University Communications and Marketing

Published Aug. 5, 2025

It may seem far off in the future, but the students moving into residence halls this week will one day put on Carolina Blue caps and gowns and become UNC-Chapel Hill graduates.

So what better sources for advice and tips on having a great Tar Heel experience than those who graduated just three months ago?

Check out what words of wisdom members of the Class of 2025 shared at Spring Commencement for Carolina’s incoming first-year students.

What should students take advantage of
at Carolina?

Professors, student organizations and University services are among the multitude of resources available at Carolina to help all students succeed.

  • Hasti Sadri on field at Kenan Stadium prior to UNC-Chapel Hill's 2025 Spring Commencement.

    “Professors’ office hours. Our professors are the coolest people in the world. They will help you out and take you places that you can’t even imagine. Talk to your professors. Reach out to them.”

    Hasti Sadri, political science and peace, war and defense major
  • Melanie Carmichael on the field of Kenan Stadium posing for a photo with a thumb's up prior to the start of UNC-Chapel Hill's 2025 Spring Commencement.

    “I’ve used the Writing Center quite a few times and don’t love writing, but they have helped me, from breaking down how to write an outline to finishing my paper and then reviewing it finally. It just made me more confident in the work that I was submitting.”

    Melanie Carmichael, human development and family studies major
  • Alexis Penny on the field at Kenan Stadium and posing for a photo prior to UNC-Chapel Hill's 2025 Spring Commencement.

    “Student organizations. You can make a lot of connections that way and meet a lot of different people. You can find different interests — things you like that you might not have known you liked before.”

    Alexis Penny, psychology and political science major

What’s a tip for doing well academically?

Everyone can find their own unique strategy that works best for them, but Tar Heels who just completed their undergraduate experience have academic pointers to share — from involving friends and mastering time management to thinking more deeply during the studying process.

  • Kenny Roberts standing on a brick pathway outside of Kenan Stadium and posing for a photo hours before UNC-Chapel Hill's Spring Commencement.

    “Don’t just memorize. A lot of the tests here are not going to be memorization-based; they’re more application-based. So don’t just learn something — learn how to apply it.”

    Kenny Roberts, computer science major
  • Aishani Patel standing on the field of Kenan Stadium and posing for a photo prior to UNC-Chapel Hill's 2025 Spring Commencement.

    “Reach out to people in your class and form study groups. I feel like that’s a great way to learn, and it helps you make new friends.”

    Aishani Patel, biology major
  • Caleb Tyler posing for a photo in front of the steps of Wilson Library on the campus of UNC-Chapel Hill hours before 2025 Spring Commencement.

    “Start a week earlier than you think you need to. If you’re going to procrastinate, you need a cushion. Or lie to yourself: Tell yourself the due date is three days earlier than it actually is.”

    Caleb Tyler, environmental sciences and geography major

What do you wish you knew as a
first-year?

With the benefit of hindsight, many students will finish college wishing they could go back in time and tell their younger self something they learned later on. Here are a few lessons learned from experience.

  • Kerwin Depaz-Donis posing for a photo near the Morehead-Patterson Bell Tower on the campus of UNC-Chapel Hill prior to the start of 2025 Spring Commencement.

    “It doesn’t have to look like the traditional four-year route. It actually took me longer, and that’s OK. God has a plan for everyone, and I just honor that. Don’t be in a rush.”

    Kerwin Depaz-Donis, public policy major
  • Yash Banga standing on the field of Kenan Stadium and posing for a photo prior to the start of UNC-Chapel Hill's 2025 Spring Commencement.

    “College is way different than high school and way different than what people tell you it will be. The people you meet here shape who you’re going to be in life. Surround yourself with people you want to be with.”

    Yash Banga, neuroscience major
  • Lily Gray Flournoy on the field of Kenan Stadium and posing for a photo prior to the start of UNC-Chapel Hill's 2025 Spring Commencement.

    “I think all the different things accessible to you. There are so many great things, like drawing opportunities or taking walks with people through the campus. I think that definitely made my mental health so much better.”

    Lily Gray Flournoy, history major

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