<p>if you guys feel like you have to fake an alcoholic drink, there’s something wrong…who cares if you don’t drink?
-start getting to know profs. early, not only will you need them for references, but they can open doors to many opportunities you may have never known about otherwise
-its okay to go out lots as long as you’re not getting hammered fri. and sat. of every week
-reading the book and knowing what it says are completely different-for me, i take notes on it which helps tremendously, but takes time
-try to get to know at least 1 person in every class, either for a study buddy or just someone to say hi to amongst all the other students
-be careful about ur decisions to order food at 3am–it adds up</p>
<ol>
<li>Listen to people when they tell you NOT to buy all of your textbooks before the first day of class.</li>
</ol>
<p>nerd, can you elaborate? unless you mean the day before the first day of class… that i understand.</p>
<ol>
<li>If you’re going to college far away from home, get Skype.</li>
<li>If you’re at a big party, don’t put down a mixed drink and then resume drinking it later.</li>
<li>Figure out if your class will use a textbook for reading only or for homework problems as well. If it’s the former, you can probably get an edition or two older than the one required for much cheaper.</li>
<li>Setup email on your cell phone, if it’s capable of that. It’s very convenient when your professor emails you during the day saying a class is cancelled, but you don’t have your computer with you.</li>
<li>Try and do some kind of physical activity at least 3 times a week. It’s way too easy to gain weight.</li>
<li>Drinking alcohol is not the end of the world. If you’re with friends and you drink within limits, you can have a great night.</li>
<li>Set your limits with your roommate(s) and don’t be scared of confrontation if something is bothering you.</li>
<li>At the same time, if they confront you about something bothering them, honor their requests.</li>
<li>I think someone has said this before, but get to know people in lecture. It can be very helpful when you have to miss it for one reason or another.</li>
<li>Try and avoid bad (not hard) professors. You may end up getting a worse grade in a class with a bad professor because you didn’t learn the material than a class with a hard one.</li>
<li>Don’t be in a hurry to get all of your GE’s done. You usually have more semesters or quarters than required GE’s, so use them as a way to take a class you’re interested in that’s not part of your major/pre req.</li>
<li>Try not to drink coffee when you don’t need it. Your body will get used to it and drinking some before that 8 AM final will end up having no effect.</li>
<li>There should not be a reason to get less than 6 hours of sleep a night if you have class the next day.</li>
<li>Take risks and do crazy things. </li>
<li>Try new things.</li>
<li>Get to know the area around your university. The campus can often be seen like a big bubble and sometimes you just have to get out.</li>
<li>Keep track of your items and try not losing them. It can be a big pain in the ass if you lose your wallet which had your credit/debit card, all your cash, and your school ID.</li>
<li>Bring shower shoes and use them. </li>
<li>You don’t have to be friends with your roommates, nor do you two even have to communicate much. The only important thing is that you respect each other and each other’s wishes and requests.</li>
<li>Don’t forget about your friends back home. Even though you may see your college friends more often, friendships formed over years will be stronger than those that are new.</li>
</ol>
<p>"9. Listen to people when they tell you NOT to buy all of your textbooks before the first day of class.</p>
<p>nerd, can you elaborate? unless you mean the day before the first day of class… that i understand."</p>
<p>No I mean don’t buy your books before the first day of class. It depends on your school, I guess. At mine there is a list at the school bookstore site that lists all of the books you need. However a large majority of the professors list something as required and don’t even use it. Such is the case with my calculus book, 4 architecture history books, a book for a film class I am in at the moment, and an anatomy class that I took at a comm college earlier in the summer (syllabus said 4 books. first day of class he told us not to buy them because it was a waste of $300.) A lot of other people I know have had the same experience freshman year.</p>
<p>I tell people I know to hold off until the prof goes over the syllabus and actually says - you need such and such book, dont really need this one, etc - unless its a language class or class with a bunch of novels. I would for sure wait if the book is more than $80. </p>
<p>That is just my opinion, though.</p>
<p>1 and 2: that’s the real world. Those people are ****, and if you sense they do this to you, seal them out of your life. they are wolves in sheeps clothing.</p>
<p>wow guys thanks for the replies! i found myself doing a couple of those things freshman</p>
<ol>
<li>locked myself out of my room while cute guy down the hall was moving in!</li>
<li>definitely agree about the ringtone, i dont think my roommate really liked waking up to t-pain.</li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li>The food in the school cafeteria does not taste good.</li>
<li>Buying a 12 pack of coke and multiple bags of Doritos is not a good way to feed yourself.</li>
<li>Ramen Noodles get old after 5 months.</li>
<li>90% of the Freshman classes are a joke unless you go to an elite institution.</li>
<li>Most of the people in College are generic and will act generic.</li>
<li>Going to bed at 3Am every night is an extremely bad habit</li>
<li>The easiest way to keep a high gpa is to do well Freshman year; so don’t slack just because the classes are easy.</li>
<li>Being in a dorm room isn’t that bad unless you have neighbors who blast music at 4AM every morning.</li>
<li>Don’t live next to neighbors who blast music at 4Am every morning.</li>
<li>The gym or an intramural sport is a great way to get exercise- A lot of people stop exercising in College.</li>
<li>Managing your time Freshman year will come handy latter in life.</li>
<li>It is good to have a close circle of friends that you can trust rather than try to befriend half of the school.</li>
<li>Getting a job while going to school is an effective way to manage your time and grow up.</li>
<li>Most people don’t remember what they learned Freshman year anyway(Ignoring myself).</li>
<li>Look into study abroad early</li>
<li>Set [url=<a href=“http://www.ratemyprofessor.com%5DRateMyProfessors.com%5B/url”>http://www.ratemyprofessor.com]RateMyProfessors.com[/url</a>] to your homepage…really</li>
<li>If a class is easy you should try to get an A</li>
<li>Relax since you are a Freshman and are devoid of any real responsibility for quite some time(Unless you are poor).</li>
<li>Being a Pre-Med student or Engineering student can be extremely time consuming- Make sure you have your priorities set.</li>
</ol>
<p>@nerd</p>
<p>lol my mom has been telling me to order books in advance and read them etc. to be prepared for class…</p>
<ol>
<li>GO TO CLASS. DUHHHHRR.</li>
<li>Get involved. :] Take advantage of all the opportunities you have on campus.</li>
<li>Ratemyprofessor.com is a godsend.</li>
<li>Choose your battles wisely. Some things are better let go; other things, you need to fight for.</li>
<li>Having a great roommate makes your day 10x better!</li>
<li>Smile. You look approachable, and therefore people will come talk to you… and you’ll make friends.</li>
<li>Don’t bury yourself in your textbooks. OMG, you’re only in your early twenties/late teens once! :] Socialize.</li>
<li>Try everything once.</li>
<li>Drink responsibly… and always with a friend who either is a.) sober or b.) has a high alcohol tolerance.</li>
<li>Set at least two alarms when you have midterms. Trust me. A day will come when you NEED that second alarm.</li>
<li>GO TO REVIEW SESSIONS!</li>
<li>DO YOUR “OPTIONAL” HOMEWORK!</li>
<li>Set aside a time just to “destress”. Exercise, paint, play an instrument… just do it.</li>
<li>Read ahead. That’s what a syllabus is for. It will save you time and you’ll actually understand the lecture!</li>
<li>Go to bed at a reasonable hour. You won’t be cranky and tired all the time. :/</li>
<li>Go talk to your professors. :] They have interesting life experiences… and it makes whatever you’re studying much less boring!</li>
<li>Ultimately, YOU are responsible for YOUR learning. Don’t adopt study strategies that work for your friends but not for you. “Know thyself.”</li>
<li>Cut people out of your life if they’re dragging you down. Soooo not worth your time and energy to keep up with people who drag you down all the time and belittle you. Your anger is valuable. Don’t waste it on people like that.</li>
<li>Don’t procrastinate on papers. Really. Don’t do it. You will regret it!</li>
<li>Have fun and don’t be too serious. :] Life is better when you smile and laugh a little. Enjoy your first year – it goes by like -that-.</li>
<li>(bonus!) Call your parents once in a while. They miss you. Really.</li>
</ol>
<p>“10. Set at least two alarms when you have midterms. Trust me. A day will come when you NEED that second alarm.”</p>
<p>Eh, I set up two alarms every regular day, otherwise there’s no way in hell I’m getting up.</p>
<p>When I have exams, I go with three alarms :)</p>
<p>I learned never ever say to a girl “Let’s just be friends”.<br>
They just chase you 2x as hard. and start crying when you tell them it simply won’t work out.</p>
<p>"@nerd</p>
<p>lol my mom has been telling me to order books in advance and read them etc. to be prepared for class…"</p>
<p>Mom’s not always right lol.
But if she’s paying for them…go for it. LOL.</p>