So freshmen, reflections on your first year?

Papa Chicken · 05-03-2005, 09:47 PM

what you expected or not
lessons for the new-bees
I-told-you-so's to/from your parents
what you would do differently
do it again?

Stephi327 · 05-04-2005, 12:18 AM

don't drunkenly hook up with anyone you see on a semi-regular basis, especially if theyre completely unattractive. at at a small school, this includes just about everyone. campus food is most likely disgusting, but try and use most of your points, it'll save you cash on late-night deliveries. buy either strong liquor or cheap beer (keystone, natty, or beast). it'll get you drunk quickly and you won't be able to tase how bad it is after 3 or 4. if you can, play a sport, varsity or intramural. it'll give you a great variety of friends, keep you from putting on the freshman 15, and you'll probably gain a great place to party too. the upperclassmen on your team are also great people to look to for advice. as far as dorm life goes, make friends with the people on your floor, you're going to have to live with them for at least a year. elevate your bed, it gives you so much more storage space for very little effort. pick distribution requirements that are meant for non-majors that you're actually interested in, otherwise you'll be miserable. and the final lesson: moderation. don't become someone you're not just because you want to seem cool now that you don't have to deal with your parents' rules. you're still going to have to answer to yourself.

ndcountrygirl · 05-04-2005, 01:12 AM

Don't party your first three months of college straight
Frats are the coolest places in the world
Make friends, join activities
Either join a sport or work out regularly...it is so easy to gain weight in college
Late night pizza is the best thing in the world
Only skip class if you have a legitimate reason to
working two jobs and taking 19 credits sucked--DON'T OVERLOAD YOURSELF
but do get a job, it gives you cash and some real life experience aside form study study study
take a class that looks interesting just for fun
dorms are loud: get used to it
you will miss your parents and their home cooking
be yourself, but remember theres a whole new world out there that you can be a part of

nahrafsfa · 05-04-2005, 02:24 AM

All male dorms with 400+ residents =

do co-ed for God's sake.
College isn't as bad as ppl make it out to be
keep leftovers
be careful when you open your dorm door...ppl like to leave half full cups of soda on the doorknob so when you open it...you're in for a big surprise
Get out once in a while
Procrastinate...but do it responsibly

Va Tech campus food =

Perfect days for pickin up girls = middle of spring when the suns out...i.e. tanning days

Your dorm will get dirty whether you like it or not....

IlliniJBravoEcho · 05-04-2005, 02:46 AM

I wish I would have started Adderall before I got to college!!!!
Don't ever skip class, no reason to. (alright sometimes but never just b/c you don't feel like going, not my mistake tho)
All my stuff that I actually do regret goes back to the ADHD/adderall thing.
Start study groups earlier. I study in groups so much better. Root those like you out soon.
Work out more. I try but this year was so hard . . . I did fine on not gaining weight tho.
Staying in a different more social dorm where people work out might have helped that tho.
I was just naive to think I'd come here and be alright with my ADHD, it will take forever to try and cover up that semester.

But I don't know, I'm doing well now, I have a lot of friends, not much to regret. Just one bad semester and a bad roommate. Both were a little out of my hands.

Type-O · 05-04-2005, 03:04 PM

Since I've started I was 145 and have been working out and eating a lot and am now 165. Frats are awesome. IM sports are awesome. Go to class, do homework during the day so you can do stuff at night. Meet new people in every class and make as many friends as possible. When you manage your time right, college is A LOT of fun. O ya, don't drink before midterms... and Adderal helps you study all night.

taurustorus · 05-04-2005, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Don't party your first three months of college straight

isn't this a bit extreme?? i'm sure most of us have a little self-control that partying isn't going to ruin our academic life...

Noka · 05-04-2005, 04:04 PM

^^ I think the OP of the "party" advice was implying that he partied for three months straight, and was advising against it.

kewkiekid · 05-04-2005, 04:20 PM

-make a calendar with all due dates as soon as you have them
-take time to explore the town/city/whatever your university is located in
-read the school paper(s)
-make friends with your hallmates - you have to live with them
-be friends with RAs, they have the power to get you out of trouble
-tie your key(s) to yourself all the time. it sucks to get locked out at 4 am and have to call the duty RA
-try to get sleep. seriously, there's something going on 24/7, you need to remember to eat, sleep, and shower
-make friends in your classes, create study groups, and actually STUDY
-get a good sound system for your computer, don't bring a stereo
-it's ok to be homesick
-don't be afraid to try new things. take that any way you want
-don't spend lots of time missing things from home, or you'll never adjust to college.
-for the love of all that is holy, don't leave term papers until the night before they are due
-if you're violently ill, it's ok to ask for an extention on a project
-ramen is your friend. as is a brita water filter.
-make friends with as many different circles as you can, so you're not 'stuck' with a group you don't like
-don't forget to have fun
-don't forget to learn.

taurustorus · 05-04-2005, 05:54 PM

i totally feel ya on the brita water filter thing. the water at my future school smells so funny 'coz they add iodine to it. i don't care if i get a goiter, i'm not drinking water that smells like fish all the time.

IlliniJBravoEcho · 05-04-2005, 08:08 PM

You will learn to love your parents. They are all you have to turn to sometimes. That was big for me this year after they bore down on me senior year. And taur, partying can be that big of deal for some people. You won't realize how easy it is til you get to college. There is always something going on. I didn't but a few of my friends fell into that trap. Or the gaming one. Being in a nerd dorm I have seen kids drop out b/c of games. I find that sadder than the partying.

t3hcan0n · 05-04-2005, 10:34 PM

"Being in a nerd dorm I have seen kids drop out b/c of games. I find that sadder than the partying."

LOL hahaha

stargirl · 05-04-2005, 11:18 PM

Unlike high school, you are going to have to work to even get a semi-decent GPA. And don't brag because for all you know the person next to you is better at whatever you're going to brag about. Get to know your profs, they're nice people and if you're borderline might bump you up if they know who you are. Keep an eye out for cool jobs as minimum wage is insanely nice. Join clubs you're interested in but be aware you're never getting off their mailing list for the next four years. Swallow your pride when needed, get enraged about injustice every time it happens.
Be who you are. The rest will follow.

nurmanator · 05-05-2005, 12:20 AM

Go to the gym. It's free.
I've lost 30 lbs since I started this year.

repeat1982 · 05-05-2005, 05:03 AM

become friends with your roomate. talk about things when you have a beef. stay up late. go to parties. take 5 am walks as a break from that long paper. skip class (not too many) to play frisbee. go where you want whne you want. only drink when you know it wont effect your academics (usually the weekends). dont gossip. be considerate...if you think your roommate has a chance of hooking up with that chic (or dude), leave the room and go somewhere else. work hard. get to know your teachers personally...introduce yourself outside of class, and talk about something other than class...make friedns with your RA...keep your keys, phone, wallet/5 bucks with you at all times...take a risk or two...dont join a frat your first semester..dorms are FUN! LEAVE YOUR DOOR OPEN WHEN YOURE IN THE ROOM!!!! be social, dont be on AIM all the time...call your parents and your friends...make the most of it...take interesting classes freshman year, not all gen ed or major requirements...