<ol>
<li><p>Go out and grab a coffee with your professors! It is something that I have heard about but just started doing, and it's really nice to be able to sit and chat in a different setting outside of the classroom. You'll find that there really isn't much to be intimidated about and I have yet to meet a prof who did not enjoy a visit during office hours or an invitation to meet @ Brown and Brew. Plus, the Tower Cafe in Tisch offers complimentary coffee/tea when you are there with a professor. </p></li>
<li><p>Spring Fling is a ton of fun, but do not go too wild too early. Waking up at 5pm after an afternoon nap completely hungover is never a good move...</p></li>
<li><p>Tufts offers some really unique opportunities that you HAVE to take advantage of. From Tufts in Talloires (<a href="http://ase.tufts.edu/frenchalps/%5B/url%5D">http://ase.tufts.edu/frenchalps/</a>) to the University College program (<a href="http://uccps.tufts.edu/)%5B/url%5D">http://uccps.tufts.edu/)</a>, there are so many programs available, but you have to do your research! Countless people have approached me with the whole "I wish I knew about it, but now I missed the deadline" (particularly about the University College program), so at least get to know what is offered so you can feel that you haven't completely missed anything during your 4 years on the hill.</p></li>
<li><p>Take at least 1 Ex-College course! I have actually taken 1 per semester and they have been the highlights of my Tufts experience. From my freshman advising class on the addicting yet voyeuristic appeal of Reality TV to Marketing for Social Change to Producing Films for Social Change (if you haven't caught the trend yet, Tufts is huge on Social Change! There was a skit in a recent Major:Undecided show that featured an ex-college course approval process, and whenever people added "for social change" their course proposals passed with flying colors...). Producing Films for Social Change is actually THE best class that I took at Tufts thus far- in fact it isn't even a class, it's a lifestyle. I learned so much and whether you're a film pro or not this class will astound you...
(<a href="http://uccps.tufts.edu/mps/%5B/url%5D">http://uccps.tufts.edu/mps/</a>)</p></li>
<li><p>Tufts has an incredible selection of student clubs...but don't join 20 clubs right away! While high school for many Jumbos was about balancing work with involvement in a multitude of clubs, you will soon realize that it is really about finding a few things that really interest you and pursuing them. This is more personal, and there are definitely people who may prefer to have minimal involvement in a larger amount of clubs, but I would highly recommend checking out the activity fair with an open mind and just going with your gut. Try out for that a-capella group that you have always dreamt about (bluirinkas favorite!), join the bhangra dance team...go outside your comfort zone. If you end up pursuing the same things you did in high school- that's great too! Just be sure you don't limit yourself. You will be amazed at how much you will learn...Plus- after all- how often do you have the opportunity to be in a Simpsons club? </p></li>
<li><p>Speaking of clubs- if you have an idea for a club that has not yet been created, start your own! Obviously, it has to be something that will positively affect the Tufts community (i.e.- a "let's get money for free beer" club or a "music appreciation/get money to attend expensive concerts" club will probably not get the senate's approval), but if you get 20 people to sign a form and you can convince the senate that it will benefit the Tufts community they will be glad to fund you. </p></li>
<li><p>Explore Medford and Somerville. Boston is such an amazing city that people often overlook the towns that Tufts calls home. There is actually a lot of history and charm in these towns and Davis Square is so much more than a T-stop. I found that freshman and sophomore years I would go into Boston a lot more and then Junior year I realized that I barely tried any of the restaurants in Davis other than Anna's (insanely delicious and well worth the subsequent stomach ache burritos). There is also Teal Sq (Rudy's has great Mexican), Ball Sq (Soundbites takes brunch to the next level- goat cheese & pear-stuffed french toast?!), Porter Sq (amazing Japanese), and many other hole-in-the-wall type places that seriously rival the pricey Fire and Ice experience. Tufts honestly contests for having the best food and selection available within a 3 mile radius of any campus (obviously we're no NYC but it's damn impressive nonetheless)- go out and enjoy it!</p></li>
<li><p>Do not go out and enjoy some of the late night sketchy chinese-delivery restaurants. Let's just say that I know people who have found that their dishes feature the inclusion hair, fingernails...it's just bad. Roses is AMAZING, while the mere sound of Golden Light and Kee Kar Lau can make some people nautious. <a href="http://www.tuftslife.com/dining/%5B/url%5D">http://www.tuftslife.com/dining/</a> has the list- just ask around before you order.</p></li>
<li><p>Your RA can be your friend...just don't be stupid and walk around with alcohol asking for trouble. They all want you to have a fun college experience, but they also just want to be sure that you are doing so in a safe manner (which, in the long run, is a good thing, despite the popular freshman "I'm away from home so stop trying to be my parents" mentality). For the most part RA's are really cool and chill, and a great resource for learning more about what Tufts has to offer. My RA freshman year made us a list of the best "5th" classes to take...i.e. courses that will be worthwhile but not ruin your workload. I bumped into my Sophomore year RA in Puerto Rico on Spring Break and we had a great time...just like any other opportunity in college, RAs are as much of a resource as you make them. </p></li>
<li><p>PAINT THE CANNON! This is an awesome tradition, and I have now painted it 6 times, each time being unique and an absolute blast. Get to the cannon no later than midnight, sometimes even by 10 or 11, and be sure that you guard it throughout the night. On weekdays there is not usually as much of an issue, but sometimes you will get people who go by the official rules of "if you ain't there, I can paint over it" and your hard work is gone- so earn the right to show off your message to the campus the fun way- with a group of friends, lawn chairs, snacks, "beverages", whatever floats your boat. It's definitely summer-campy type of experience, but it's a great time.</p></li>
<li><p>Don't overlook the possibility of auditing a class. Some semesters I have had a full schedule but there will still be classes that have amazing professors that I have heard so much about I could not miss, and auditing the class allowed me to learn a great deal while not having to register for too many credits. Obviously, if there is a class that is a perfect fit you might as well take it for credit...but for those extra classes that you probably will not have enough time to take, you might as well stop by the lectures and get a bang for your buck.</p></li>
<li><p>Get to know the Dining Hall workers- you will be seeing them virtually every day and while the simple "nod" while getting your card swiped in is acceptable you can tell that it makes their day when you step aside and ask them how they are doing, and actually mean it. Tufts students are extremely friendly, but I find that this etiquette easily gets overlooked. I have really valued getting to know the CMike dining staff- they're a fun bunch. Plus- if you ever have suggestions add something to the comment board! There are rarely any notes up there...and they usually seem very receptive to student's comments and suggestions for new recipes (for some reason they didn't quite ambrace my idea of cavier-crusted filet mignon...jk). </p></li>
<li><p>Stir fry nights @ CMike are amazing. Do not come between 6:30-7 if you expect to get your culinary creation without waiting for at least 20 minutes. However, you will literally get to know the person standing next to you in line. There have been nights where I joined later than my friends and I ended up getting to know the people next to me- one of whom I'm now very good friends with. We all have our "well...we both went for the chicken and noodles with seshuan sauce and it took off from there" stories...Also- VERY important- the stir fry line very much replicates the infamous seinfeld "soup nazi" scenario. Get to know the options (rice or noodles, beef, chicken or shrimp? sauce?), practice it at least 3 times in your head, and clearly execute. I know several people who were over-confident in their endeavors and resulted in either completely freezing during the awaited order, or who mumble "rice and beef and stuff" and act surprised when they get vegetarian noodles. Once you order you can't turn back- just take the proper precautions and you'll be fine. </p></li>
<li><p>Late night @ Tisch is like a cult. There is an announcement made every evening that you will hear so much that it will appear in your dreams, that begins with "Attention please, attention please...the Library WILL be closing in 15 minutes...). The late night crew then assembles in the library foyer area, anxiously awaiting their quest to complete their paper that is due in 8 hours. However, unfortunately, each night a few are lost due to very unfortunately circumstanced- they didn't have their ID! BRING YOUR TUFTS ID EVERYWHERE. The guards have to check for security purposes (because, obviously, everyone is flocking to Tisch at 1am and access to the late night library session is everyone's ideal preference over admittance to a trendy night-club...)...so even if you have your Tufts hoodie on, you're gonna have to go back and get your ID if you want to join the late night elite.</p></li>
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<p>That's all I have for now- I'm sure I'll be adding more later. Hope this helps!</p>