Following the September 1 celebration at Mykolas Romeris University (MRU), events marking the start of the new academic year continued for first-year students. For two days, on September 2–3, Introductory Days “Discover Yourself at MRU” took place in Marijampolė, Kaunas, and Vilnius. For the new students, these events marked the first significant step into a new stage of their academic journey filled with new people, experiences, knowledge, opportunities, and discoveries.
At the beginning of the Introductory Days, MRU Vice-Rector for Studies Prof. Dr. Natalija Kaminskienė, reflecting on her own journey at the university, welcomed the first-year students on their first day of studies, wished them success on their new path, and encouraged them to embrace this new chapter of their lives with confidence:
“You do not know who is sitting next to you. Perhaps it will be the future Prosecutor General, perhaps the owner of a successful start-up or business, perhaps a minister, or perhaps the future Vice-Rector or Rector of this university. So, everything is in your hands. If it happened to me, why couldn’t it happen to you? You are in the right place to build a great and meaningful career. Today, you are beginning a new chapter of your life, and it will be incredibly exciting.”
During the Introductory Days, students became acquainted with the university, its study system, and the key tools available to first-year students, including Moodle and the “Student Guide,” which helps them navigate university life more easily. First-year students also learned about the activities of the MRU Students’ Representation, which foster leadership and teamwork skills, as well as the services provided by the university library and other resources essential for their studies.
New students also had the opportunity to explore the university’s sports and leisure spaces and discover a variety of cultural activities. The Community Well-being Center presented a wide range of sports and arts activities available at the university, including pilates and yoga, volleyball, chess, dance and singing lessons. These activities help students to find a balance between their studies and work while building connections with the university community.
Later, the first-year students got acquainted with their faculties. Faculty representatives introduced them to the specifics of their study programmes, answered their questions, and spoke about mentoring and other opportunities offered by the university. The University Career Centre encouraged students to develop their skills and acquire new competencies throughout their studies. Digital badges were also introduced as a way to recognise students’ achievements and encourage their personal and academic growth at MRU.
Students were encouraged to take advantage of Erasmus+ mobility opportunities during their studies. The MRU International Office introduced students to exchange programmes and internships, while participants also had the opportunity to hear first-hand experiences and impressions from students who had taken part in such mobility programmes.
One of the first challenges young people face when starting university is learning how to plan and manage their studies independently. For this reason, the Introductory Days placed considerable emphasis on learning competencies, successful adaptation to the university environment, and ways of taking care of their emotional health.
In Vilnius, first-year students had the opportunity to attend a discussion with MRU alumni called “The Formula for Career Success.” The discussion featured Inga Černiuk, Head of the Public Sector Division at Telia Lietuva, Saulius Kromalcas, Head of the Innovation and Technology Transfer Division at MRU, lecturer, and mentor, and Lauryna Skardžiūtė, Head of the 1st Pre-Trial Investigation Division of the Central Investigation Board of the Special Investigation Service of the Republic of Lithuania and Special Agent Adviser.
In Kaunas, first-year students of the Academy of Public Security also had the opportunity to take part in a discussion with alumni, discover their own formula for career success, and hear inspiring stories from others. The discussion featured Aurėja Kaminskaitė, Chief Specialist at the State Child Rights Protection and Adoption Service, and Gabija Šimkūnaitė, a specialist in the resocialisation of convicted persons.
We hope that this start will inspire first-year students to confidently explore, discover, and create their own path within the MRU academic community and beyond.
