<p>Ah, laundry was “free” (well, it probably was included in the tuition.) for me. All of my quarters went in the vending machine during cramfests.</p>
<p>My list:</p>
<p>1) Don’t jump into a major immediately. Take time to delve in another subjects before deciding–even if you’re “positive” that you already know what you want to pursue. </p>
<p>2) Take advantage of the opportunities college provides: studying abroad, research assistant with a professor, two-week international trips with various classes, work on side projects that interest you, etc.</p>
<p>3) Get through your GenEds ASAP. There’s nothing more irritating than having to sit in a freshman history class during the last semester of your senior year because you put it off – especially when your mind is guaranteed to be elsewhere (finishing last few major courses, thesis [if your school requires it, mine does.], studying for grad exams, trying to find a job/interview etc.)</p>
<p>4) Make new friends (but keep the old. One is silver and the other is…I forget.)
If you’re going to college with an old high school classmate, keep in touch, but don’t cling. This is your chance to meet new people. </p>
<p>5) Take advantage of “unusual” electives. My (old) college offered snowboarding, ice rock climbing and glassblowing as courses. You might find a new hobby.</p>
<p>6) As hokey as it sounds, introduce yourself to your professor before class and keep in touch when possible. While it may also set you apart as a student–I do it as a motivator to continue doing well. For me, it’s more embarrassing to bomb a test when your professor is also someone you’ve acquainted yourself with. </p>
<p>7) Go through Cal Newport’s books before classes begin. When I was a freshman, I first purchased those books in the middle of the second semester. They’re not quite as helpful when I’m cramming for a math test and it’s too late to use his suggestions.</p>
<p>8) Actively participate in class, even if you really don’t want to. In my experience, it’s a great way to:
- force yourself to pay attention (in the event you receive a boring instructor and it’s easy to zone out.)
- **ensure that you understand the material<a href=“I’ve%20found%20that%20in%20classes%20where%20I%20participate;%20it’s%20easier%20to%20remember%20the%20information%20taught.”>/b</a>
- and in some cases, a professor who sees you’re genuinely trying, may bump your grade up a point or two when you’re teetering on an A- and a B+.</p>
<p>9) If you’re struggling in a class, or foresee yourself having trouble with a subject you know will be difficult for you - make use of your campus’ facilities. There’s usually always free tutoring available and take time to see your professor.</p>
<p>10) Do not buy your books from the campus store. Do not return your books to the campus store following the end of the semester.
Both are usually guaranteed to rip you off.
You can usually find your books at a much cheaper price on Amazon, eBay, half.com, etc.
Then you can make a decent buck reselling your books on Amazon.com (they pay for shipping - and if you use MediaMail, you usually end up getting overpaid for shipping by Amazon which is always a good thing.)
I see a lot of freshman buying their books from the school. Don’t do that; shop around, use the school as a last resort.</p>
<p>11) Participate in at least one school-related E.C., be it a sport, a club, doing research with a professor, whatever. Do something. It helps both in making new friends and in some cases, building your resume.</p>
<p>12) Attached with #11–use the school to build your resume. The college is usually not picky when it comes to getting help from students and the opportunities are there.</p>
<p>13) Attached with #12–use your school’s website/pamphlets/etc. to find out what is going on on campus. A lot of opportunities aren’t heavily advertised. i.e., at my college, one of my close friends scored an all-expense paid two-week trip to Finland to participate in some research two professors were doing in the sociology department.</p>
<p>They never actually “advertised” this trip though. She found out about it through accidentally stumbling on one of the professor’s school-hosted webpage.</p>
<p>14) If you’re looking for a job on campus, start early. As early as you can. As stated above, they usually aren’t too picky with who they choose (provided it isn’t too heavily based on an actual skill) and tend to accept on first-come first-serve basis.</p>
<p>15) You don’t have to become best friends with your roommate. I’ve noticed that a trend is that freshman roommates will cling to each other for the first few weeks, try to force a friendship and then end up either apathetic about one another, or enemies.
You don’t have to be BFFs with your roommate. It’s great if you do, but it’s not something to stress over.</p>
<p>16) Check your email/phone messages before class. It really sucks getting up at 6am for a 7am class, walking across campus and loaded with books – only to find out it’s canceled. Professors will usually email you if a class is canceled. </p>
<p>17) In your first semester, take a light course load. As tempting as it is to take as many 4+ credit classes as possible, especially when your fellow CC members are posting their “look at my super hard schedule” classes – resist the temptation. The first semester is for adjusting. Take the light classes, stick with under 15 credits, see how you do.
The world won’t end if you don’t take Advanced Macro-organic Fungicide Inspection your first semester.</p>
<p>18) Force yourself to take at least one class, each year, that you think you’ll hate but aren’t necessarily familiar with. It’s a great way to introduce yourself to new subjects that you would have overlooked otherwise and you might find your new major hidden there.</p>
<p>19) Stay on track. Always make sure the classes you are taking, even the above “hate” class fits into your requirements to graduate. </p>
<p>20) Explore your campus. My (old) college had a greenhouse, a small sculpture museum, an art gallery, a weird little zen garden-thing, and an indoor “park” complete with several ponds filled with koi fish.
Most students didn’t know these places existed, so I used to hang out at one of these spots anytime I just wanted to escape or needed a new studying place.</p>
</p>
haha</p>