<p>If you could tell us seniors one thing that will help us in the admissions area or when we are ready to go off to school what would it be? I got some of these college survival books that are pretty cool- but nothing like advice from college students themselves. thanx</p>
<p>Be friendly and keep your door open. Seriously, you go to a new place where everybody is a stranger. If you leave your door open people will stop by and say hi and you'll meet people much more quickly that way :)</p>
<p>be willing to try new things. There are so many amazing things you can experience in college that you can't experience anywhere else... take all the opportunies you can, while they're there.</p>
<p>study abroad if you can. its a rewarding experience.</p>
<p>Join a couple of extracurricular groups because they are very fun and rewarding, but DO NOT over commit, because you risk getting burnt and giving three quarters of them up anyway!</p>
<p>Have things scheduled besides schoolwork--a part time job can be very rewarding, and/or being an officer in a club.</p>
<p>Be Unique!</p>
<p>Leave with an open, clear mind and with no strings attached if at all possible.</p>
<p>be ready to adapt to a new environment. a friend i met was home-sick the entire quarter and it sucked for her. </p>
<p>start being mature. i cant believe some kids still go home to do their laundry (if they live relatively close to college)</p>
<p>be proactive and open to new experiences. i know a group of friends who just play poker together every night. fun but how repetitious. i highly recommend trying new things or at least going to the first meeting of multiple clubs/organizations that youre interested in. that way u can test the waters and see where u fit in, as well as meet many new people. its better to have that set first than to say, later in college, that you havent networked enough or found your passion yet for extracurricular activities</p>
<p>dont be afraid to take the initiative to do things. kids may look confident, but deep down inside they are new to this just like you are. SAY HI, most kids will be happy to meet you. and if u end up in a big public, youll need to take the initiative to explore and get all the opportunities that you want (no ones gonna hold your hand in a swim or sink environment!)</p>
<p>make friends with some friendly 2nd-years or upperclassmen. their advice can go a long way. </p>
<p>i highly recommend choosing your "best-fit" college</p>
<p>most important thing: whatever habits you have in high school now, you WILL carry over to college. you wont instantaneously learn anything over the summer. so i suggest you establish a good foundation as far as study habits go, because youre on your own when you get to college!</p>
<p>Don't worry, take things slowly. Let things settle in your mind, thus coming out with a clear plan and perception of what to do.</p>
<p>Just have an open mind and be open to new experiences and new people. College is the best thing that has happened to me so far, and I truly wish you guys the best of luck in the admissions process!</p>
<p>thanks for your help!</p>
<p>oh right, and get involved. one of the org's i'm in is habitat for humanity.. it's great. we build houses on weekends, go away to florida to build for spring break, and it's just great because you meet people from all around campus that you probably wouldn't of met otherwise.</p>
<p>When you start in college turn off the computer and get out and meet real people!!</p>
<p>Just kidding, kinda. But my advice is about your self-talk when you first start college. One thing you should be aware of is that many students feel out-of-place or nervous when they first start college. Its natural, but you're not the only one! Don't be intimidated by other students even if they seem assertive or completely at ease, its often just a front they give to the world. </p>
<p>Let me give 2 anecdotes to illustrate. I started college pre-med like so many others. Here I was at the big U in my first chem class, and I didn't know a soul in the class. Sitting by me were a couple of guys who had gone to the same HS and they were looking over the syllabus. "No problem!" they were telling each other, apparently their HS chem teacher had covered it all and this class was going to be just review. "Easy A" is how they were saying it. I knew I was screwed, having gone to a mediocre HS where students going to the local CC were counted as college successes. I figured I'd be lucky to just pass the class against that kind of competition. But you know what? I got an A in the class, some of them dropped after the 1st midterm and the rest didn't do that great. They were as nervous as I was at the start, they were just covering it up with bravado.</p>
<p>2nd story is the start of sophomore year. There were also new frosh on my dorm floor and I remember meeting one guy who seemed like he must have been student-body president or something in HS. Completely confident, smiling, looking completely at home. I remembered feeling nervous when I first moved into the dorm frosh year but this guy seemed just the opposite. Come the end of the school year and everyone was sitting around one nite reminiscing about the year gone by and the guy said to me "remember when we first met? I had just moved in and you were just about the first person I met. I was nervous about how things would go but then you introduced yourself and I knew this place would be alright". The point is that from his demeanor you never would have known it when we first met. Most people have some apprehension when they start but if you get out and meet people anyway then you'll be off to a good start and things will work out ok.</p>
<p>mikemac, i still love the advice you gave on the ucla forum from the old CC. i read it right before i entered =)</p>
<p>Go to class. Even though it's easier to turn off your alarm and go back to bed.</p>
<p>Make some friends in each class. There will be a time when they will be able to help you with a question regarding an assignment, test, or due date where otherwise you would be left to struggle on your own.</p>
<p>Bringing some homemade food to orientation to share with the kids on your hall is a good way to make friends =P (a kid on my hall this year did that)</p>
<p>The people on your hall (or if your dorm is small like mine, 50 ppl, the whole dorm) will be your family. You will see them so much... stay on good terms with them. Don't fight about things that won't matter 30 minutes from now.</p>
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mikemac, i still love the advice you gave on the ucla forum from the old CC. i read it right before i entered =)
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Thanks for the kind words! I hope what I wrote gave some useful tips.</p>
<p>While parts were specific to ucla, a lot applies to college in general. If anyone is interested in reading it you can see it at <a href="http://www.collegeconfidential.com/cgi-bin/discus/show.cgi?8/83411%5B/url%5D">http://www.collegeconfidential.com/cgi-bin/discus/show.cgi?8/83411</a></p>
<p>thanks guys- i like the advice about bringing food, it works in hs as well. i always have gum, and some small candies in my locker and ppl love me for it! ;)</p>
<p>At the beginning, it may seem easier just to hang out with your roomies or in your dorm, but I'd really recommend going out and getting involved with activities. Whatever it is you're passionate about, you won't be the only one. I absolutely love my roomies and friends from classes, but some of my best friends I've gotten to know through activities. The things that I happened to choose took up a huge amount of time this semester, and I was sometimes frustrated about that, but it was definitely worth it. You'll meet a lot of upperclassmen quickly that way.</p>
<p>please please don't try to prove yourself by using "ostentatious" words. In other words, please do not talk like one of those dawson creek kids.</p>