September 8, 2026
Mount Mercy University
Starting college comes with a lot of firsts: your first college class, your first campus event and maybe even your first time living away from home.
During your initial month at Mount Mercy University, those firsts will quickly become routine. You'll learn your way around the Hill and begin finding what makes Mount Mercy feel like home.
Here's a look at what your first month as a Mustang might look like.
The first week of classes is when college starts to feel real. You'll find your classrooms and meet your professors as you work through your first class sessions. Before long, you'll start figuring out how to make your new schedule work for you.
One of the advantages of Mount Mercy's close-knit campus is that you won't get lost in the crowd. With a 14:1 ratio of students to faculty, you'll have opportunities to get to know your professors and the students in your classes.
Your first week is also a good time to explore the Hill and find the places that fit into your routine. If you're living on campus, you'll start getting comfortable in your residence hall and meeting the people you'll see every day.
You don't need to have everything figured out right away. Give yourself time to learn what works for you.
By the second week, you'll probably spend less time thinking about where you're going and more time figuring out how to balance your schedule.
Find a place where you like to study and start building habits that help you stay on top of your classes. When you need some extra support, Mount Mercy has resources available to help. The Academic Coaching and Enrichment Center (ACE) provides academic resources to help students succeed, including peer educators and writing assistance.
Life outside the classroom will start feeling more familiar, too. You might find a favorite place to meet friends between classes or start recognizing the same people as you make your way across campus. Because Mount Mercy is a smaller community, it may not take long before those familiar faces start becoming friends.
Once you've settled into your academic routine, start exploring ways to become part of the Mount Mercy community.
With more than 30 clubs and organizations, there are opportunities to connect with students who share your interests. You might find something related to your major or decide to try an activity that's completely new to you.
Campus events offer another way to meet people and make memories. Mount Mercy traditions and student activities happen throughout the year, so keep an eye out for what's happening around the Hill. Through this process, you can find something you enjoy and give yourself time to discover where you feel most at home.
By the end of your first month, campus will probably feel much different than it did on your first day. You'll know your way around the Hill and have favorite places to spend time between classes. Your professors will know you by name, and you'll start seeing familiar faces wherever you go.
This is also a good time to explore beyond campus. Mount Mercy is located in Cedar Rapids, giving you access to everything Iowa's second-largest city has to offer. As you get more comfortable on the Hill, venture out with friends and start discovering your favorite places in the community.
As your routines and relationships grow, you'll begin discovering what you want your Mount Mercy experience to look like.
At the end of your first month, you probably won't have everything figured out, and you don't need to. You may have found a close group of friends, or you may still be meeting new people. You might feel confident about your major or still be exploring your options. Your first semester gives you time to find what works for you.
Keep looking for opportunities to connect. Ask for help when you need it. And take advantage of the community around you.
Little by little, Mount Mercy will stop feeling like the college you chose and start feeling like your place on the Hill.
Ready to picture yourself as a Mustang? Schedule a campus visit to explore the Hill, meet the Mount Mercy community, and see what your college experience could look like.