<p>Class of 2014 - WELCOME!!! I just sort of became a sophomore (Class of 2013!) and now have some free time, although I should be packing, but that's okay. Regardless, I thought that it'd be nice to give you guys some tips or things to mull over about the summer, next year, etc. Now, many people might disagree with me (as might you), but these are just things that I have concluded from my first year - so take it as you will.</p>
<p>I decided that it would be best to do this in "installments" since it's pointless to give you tips for the fall in May, so that will come later on this summer. For now, here's some stuff I think would've helped me to know first summer (it's pretty short, so any other Yalies out there, please add on if you want).</p>
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<li><p>Do not obsess over RC assignments! I was one of the kids in my class who frantically refreshed the FB Class of 2013 group, hoping that someone had received their RC assignment (the day it was mailed :/ ...). DO NOT BE THAT KID! Honestly, it adds so much unnecessary stress to be freaking out, it's nothing you can actually change or have any control over, and most importantly, it takes away from the excitement of receiving the letter and reading your Dean's welcome. Most of you guys will receive your assignment within a few days of Yale mailing it so it's not that long of a wait. For international students and those who USPS hates, you can just check the FB group a few days later. Trust me - it'll be a lot more enjoyable!</p></li>
<li><p>DO NOT, DO NOT, DO NOT look over the Bluebook or OCI! It's SUMMER. For a reason. As exciting as going to college is and I'm sure you are all excited about the prospects of taking classes with people who wrote your high school history textbook, wait until at least August to peruse classes. It'll be a lot more enjoyable (a lot of the classes change or are cancelled, etc.) and August is the proper time for you to think about it (late August). [I will give more academic tips and Bluebooking tips in August, when the reality of Yale starts kicking in.]</p></li>
<li><p>** Think about pre-orientation programs!** We have 4 this year, with FPC's "unfortunate" demise: Harvest, Cultural Connections (CC), FOOT, and OIS (international students). For international students, I really would recommend OIS - not "to meet international students," which might be nice for you guys, but because it really gives you the resources that you need to adjust to the new country. For everyone else, definitely, definitely do a pre-orientation program if you can. They're a lot of fun!!! You get to make friends and meet people before Camp Yale even starts, and if you do CC, then you get to get a feel for campus before every other student does.</p></li>
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<p>Shameless plug: I did CC this year and will be working as an aide next year. Honestly, it's a great program!! I was afraid to do it because I thought it was going to be "too much diversity talk" but I honestly thought it was more of an excuse to have fun. Things we do: laser tag, photo scavenger hunt (to learn where things on campus are), late night shenanigans (amazing!), shopping, to just hanging out, to sleeping in late, to panels, etc. Do not dismiss it because it says "cultural" or whatever. Give it a shot!</p>
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<li><p>** MAKE FRIENDS!!!** ...with people in your class. BE A FACEBOOK STALKER (sort of) and YALE ADMITTED WEBSITE STALKER!! Honestly, I was that kid, and that's something I'm happy about. I spent my summer talking to a bunch of people who I had some things in common with and got relatively close to them. Some of them are just acquaintances (that's nice too sometimes), another is a really good friend, and another is now my fraternity brother. It's nice coming into a new environment already knowing some people and feeling like you can branch out, make new friends through other friends, etc. (WARNING: There is such a thing as too much, though. Just start up conversations and stuff - ask what are you doing for the summer, what are you interested in, etc. Don't be like, "LET'S BE BEST FRIENDS!!" although that might work for some people.)</p></li>
<li><p>Most importantly, ** HAVE FUN!!** This is your last summer before college. Yale will test you in many ways in just a few months. Rest assured, it will be a FUN year - there is absolutely no doubt about it. But, there is work to be done and Yale can sometimes be a stressful place. Take the summer to enjoy - spend time with your friends and family, who you might not be seeing as often, take time to just relax: play video games, watch TV (Lost Season Finale in just 2 weeeks!!!), go to the movies, hang out. If you're working, going abroad, taking classes, etc. that's okay too. Just make the most of it and make sure you're having fun through it all. That's what's summer is all about and why you shouldn't worry about classes and stuff.</p></li>
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<p>Again, Congratulations you guys!! We here at Yale are all excited to welcome you to campus. Rest assured that an amazing year awaits you, and preparations are already underway for that!! If you have any questions, shoot 'em at me - PM or just post here!</p>