@Thelma2 “Even if you don’t join one of the clubs that are competitive to get into, join one that isn’t.” Could you explain for a parent of a future engineering freshman what you mean with clubs that are competitive to get into?
It is important to have hobbies and a real life outside the lecture halls. What would be the best way for a bit shy student to get familiar with the clubs and their members? Which clubs to start with? Living on campus should be a good start, but is Engineering honors housing (ECOS) ok, or would it be better to try to mingle with students from other majors?
A bit related, should everyone be prepared to go to football games? Coming from a high school where football was not such a big deal, at least not for the STEM oriented kids, it might be a bit difficult to get overly excited about sports. Should one anyway buy a season pass, and where and when it should be bought?