College freshman do's and don'ts

<p>There was giant thread on another website about do’s and don’t’s but I can’t link to it! If you search “reddit high school habbit freshmen drop” it should come up.</p>

<p>DO:
-Carry a map, at least on my campus freshmen will get lost.
-Meet with your adviser
-Join clubs
-Go to class and read
-Learn to cite things properly
-Try to party a few times, even if it’s not your thing, just try
-Be prepared to possible change your major
-Study at the library or in a study area
-Do well your first year</p>

<p>DON’T:
-Stand near the road what it is raining, people will splash you (freshmen always get soaked)
-Make a big deal when you show up to class late, don’t block views by sitting in the front either
-Wear a lanyard
-Asking about class standings or ACT scores or whatever, everyone will hate you
-Constantly complain about people who party, chances are it isn’t hurting you
-Go home all the time
-Go on facebook all the time
-Talk during lecture
-Don’t argue with the professor, if you must do it after class
-Stay in your room all the time
-Take Human Sexuality, every freshmen I know as acted like that class was hilarious and a joke</p>

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<p>Bahaha, I can remember a couple kids who did that my freshman year. Everyone got annoyed. I don’t know why some people make such a big deal out of a difference of a few points on the ACT.</p>

<p>Few of mine, since everyone’s covered everything:</p>

<p>DO:
[ul]
[<em>]Familiarize yourself with your campus
[</em>]Meet people
[<em>]Use a planner/calendar
[</em>]Understand how the dining hall system works. Personally, after the first week, I always get annoyed with freshmen who take a year and a half to get food, and hold up the line.
[li]Carry an umbrella in your backpack. That way you’ll never forget if you get a surprise rainstorm.[/li][/ul]</p>

<p>DON’T:
[ul]
[<em>]Complain in public about how hard Calc 1/2/3 or gen chem is. Please.
[</em>]Whine in public about how much you miss home or your significant other.
[<em>]Intentionally skip class.
[</em>]Wear your student ID on a lanyard.
[<em>]Be “that drunk kid” that throws up every time.
[</em>]Go on Facebook during class. Before you know it, class is 1/3 over.
[<em>]Be the obnoxious kid that laughs/snorts/talks/asks 21398028345 questions in class.
[</em>]Be antisocial. Even if you’re introverted, take the opportunity to meet people. Save being a recluse for when you’re an upperclassman.
[li]Go screaming down the hall or outside at 3 AM. Just because you and I are awake at that time, others aren’t.[/li][/ul]</p>

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<p>Hey you accidentally put this in the wrong category. (Seriously though, it’s perfectly fine to do this occasionally; just don’t be the kid who projectile vomits every single time they drink.)</p>

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<p>Ah yeah, that’s what I meant, the kid that throws up every time.</p>

<p>Typed it out while eating lunch, so I forgot lol.</p>

<p>DO</p>

<p>-Stay in contact with your family, call every few days, let them know your doing alright
-your laundry
-Hang out with different people, open up and not be cliquish
-Party, even if its not your scene, you dont have to drink alot, just go for the social comraderie, i wasnt a big partier at first and now i love them!
-KEEP YOUR ROOM NEAT
-Study a little bit every day starting a week before your exam.
-Don’t go home every weekend if your stressed, you will feel unconnected to people there and that will only make it worse.
-Rush a fraternity/sorority. I wouldnt recommend doing it straight off the bat fall semester, Im pledging this semester. spend the first part of the year meeting people. Good idea sophomore year!
-Dont stress about stupid guys/girls. Most people find a person freshman year that isnt long term, some do but its few and far between. The serious relationships start end soph yr jr year!
-Meet new people(again)
-Have Fun!</p>

<p>Dont
-Gloat about High School, that will really really turn people off. People dont care about what happened than, and it will make you seem conceited.
-Shut off communication if your having a tough go, which you WILL go through freshman year at some point(even I did!) dont be afraid to get help
-SKIP CLASS
-Take your schoolwork lightly, while it is okay to have fun, dont have too much fun! My best friend from freshman year partied 24/5 all year. Me and his roommate would laugh because we would be chilling in his room and we could see his unfinished HW laying there when he got the call to go out on a Tuesday. While he had a blast, he pulled a 1.5 GPA and has to go back home to a CC! Dont let that happen to you!</p>

<p>All in all, for the most part, it is a blast!</p>

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Not going to follow that one.</p>

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Maybe it depends on the school. At Notre Dame, plenty of people will have a shirt or two from their high school, and no one will mention it. It would be a stupid reason to look down on someone.</p>

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How would wearing a shirt from your high school be assuming that anybody knows about it? I’ve never heard of any of the high schools my friends went to, but I don’t think it’s weird some of them still have shirts from them…</p>

<p>^When I passed over your username I thought for a second it said “Maronite,” and I was going to freak out and PM you because I’m a Maronite! Sadly, it isn’t so.</p>

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<p>If I saw someone wearing a HS t-shirt, I would give such little crap that I’d be diagnosed with chronic constipation. Nobody cares if you wear a HS t-shirt, and if they do then you probably picked a ****ty college (not in terms of academics but in terms of people).</p>

<p>Wear whatever T-shirts you want, who cares. Just don’t wear like your high school ring or your letterman jacket because some people will probably think that’s weird or whatever. I personally don’t care and like seeing those things but I know you’re usually advised not to bring those thinkgs.</p>

<p>There’s nothing wrong with wearing a class ring from college and if anyone comments on it then they really don’t have a life. There is also nothing wrong with wearing a tshirt from high school or wearing a hoodie. I packed a bunch of hoodies I got from high school and when it gets cold I’m going to wear them and if someone has a problem with it then oh well. That is the dumbest thing I"ve ever heard in my life. The only thing I don’t recommend is wearing a letter jacket … that is something you can leave at home.</p>

<p>My only comment on the high school apparel is leave everything but your favorites at home, if only to have room for t-shirts/etc. from your college that you may buy/win.</p>

<p>My do’s are be yourself and love yourself just the way you are. Also, be kind to your roommate, even when they’re mean to you. But be kind to yourself and get RA’s, etc. involved when necessary.</p>

<p>Don’ts </p>

<p>Don’t be that kid who cares every waking second about everyone else’s opinion. It’ll just give you an ulcer
Don’t be friends with people out of pity. It does no one any favors.
Don’t freak out over the small stuff. It’s okay to not have every page read every day of class as long as you know the general gist.
Don’t procrastinate. That is the worst habit for college.
Don’t be afraid to try new things. It’s part of what college is about.</p>

<p>I think everyone knows the basic Do’s so here are my list of dont’s: </p>

<p>-Don’t be that obnoxious kid who brags about how he/she was valedictorian, 5.7GPA, 2600 SAT, etc. No one likes that and no one will like you. </p>

<p>-Don’t judge those who party and don’t judge those who don’t party. Just worry about yourself and what you’re doing. </p>

<p>-Don’t just not go to class. Someone is paying 1000’s of dollars for your education and if you don’t go to class you’re just burning money. And then when you fail out of school for the crap GPA you’ll probably have, you’re really burning. Just go to class. </p>

<p>-Don’t be antisocial. Have fun because it’s college!</p>

<p>Do-
-Do meet as many people as you can
-Do join clubs
-Rush a fraternity/sorority to see if Greek life is right for you
-Do exercise regularly
-Try in class and study for exams
-Do go to parties, you don’t have to drink and it’s a ton of fun either way
-Do have fun
-Try to go to every class</p>

<p>Don’t-
-Don’t make a habit of skipping class
-Don’t wear or talk about anything high school related, nobody cares how popular you were in high school or that you threw a cool party once upon a time.
-Don’t be anti-social or hide in your room
-Don’t complain about distant relationships or your high school sweetheart</p>

<p>First off, hs shirts are fine as long as they aren’t the main focus of your wardrobe, I mean high school is over get some college shirts. Now that being said, a few here and there aren’t bad and I still wear my football shirts to the gym.</p>

<p>Now other tips are:

  • opening a map will make you look like an instant freshman, though sometimes you need to do it
  • also, research where your classes are ahead of time so that you don’t freak out on your first day.
  • wearing lanyards with ID cards are instant freshman identification
  • be wary of cyclists and those on longboards, as they don’t pay attention
  • charge your cell phone, games can save you during a class
  • wanna make a friend? bring an extra pen/pencil to class
  • drink, party and have fun- however DO NOT: walk in the street while drunk, pee in public drunk, or pass out in public- it is an instant MIP
  • Grades are important, but so is not having mental breakdowns over grades
  • if you have things in public places (bike, laptop) expect them to get stolen- so lock it or have it on you at all times.
  • Stay in contact with the family- it makes asking for money
  • And finally: remember that college is only 4 (or 5) years, and it goes by way to quickly. So if you have an opportunity to do something do it. Have fun.</p>

<p>Do:

  • Show up to all your classes and try your best – even if the class is “stupid”
  • Learn to manage your time with studying; focus more on the challenging subjects and worry about the easier classes last
  • Get on as much good terms with your professors as possible – be prepared, on time, and participate in class; it could be to your benefit in the long run
  • Skim the syllabus of each class, highlighting important dates and other info (such as whether or not they take attendance, give extra credit, or if they take off the lowest test grade)
  • Use “RateMyProfessor” and other resources (upperclassman, etc.) to match yourself with teachers; it will save you a headache (and your GPA)
  • Absolutely GO TO ALL LABS, unless diarrhea is shooting out your butt and you have a 103 degree temperature.<br>
  • Keep exploring as many career opportunities as you can with your degree or major; don’t spiral into depression if you realize you probably aren’t a good fit for your dream job </p>

<p>Don’t:

  • Freak out or get depressed if you don’t have tons of friends and/or a boy/girlfriend after the first year or semester. Focus on quality of friendships over quantity.
  • Freak out or get depressed over “less-than-perfect” grades (low A’s or B’s); especially if the subject matter is hard. College is supposed to challenge you. A 90 is AMAZING!
  • Get a part-time job your first semester unless you absolutely have to. It will just add extra stress and you’ll have less time to hang out and study
  • Do anything illegal on-campus or in dorm rooms – getting caught is embarrassing and not fun; if you MUST drink, smoke, or anything else do it off-campus and be smart and safe about it
  • Do important things at the last minute or day – procrastinating is a kiss of death for most people and if something goes wrong (printer out of ink, forgot something, etc.) you will be screwed
  • Try to pull all-nighters or use “study drugs” unless you feel you have to; plan your studying so that you get a good night’s sleep before a big exam
  • Get in the habit of sleeping in or skipping classes for mundane reasons (don’t feel like it, too tired)
  • Depend solely on study groups or friends to improve your grade - most “study groups” turn into social events anyway so try to get used to studying and learning the material alone
  • Be that snobby jerk who brags constantly about never studying and still making high grades in traditionally hard classes; you will neither get a gold star nor a cookie for your wonderful achievement.</p>

<p>Don’t have sexual intercourse without condoms </p>

<p>Don’t go more than 4 months without getting tested for STI’s </p>

<p>Give a woman a massage and lay her on her stomach before you PIITB </p>

<p>Don’t PIITB without giving her a pillow so when she screams her lungs out the sound will be barely audible to the outside world. </p>

<p>Don’t tell anyone the number of people you’ve slept with</p>

<p>^^^Finally, some useful advice!</p>

<p>Don’t jump RIGHT into a relationship even if you meet someone really great right away. It’s really hard if you establish your social groups around each other and then break up like 6 months later when it’s MUCH harder to meet new people. Take things slow, and make sure you take time to have “MY” friends and not just “OUR” friends.</p>

<p>Please don’t be that person who is talking, fiddling with a cell phone, or constantly on Facebook during class. If you’re going to do that, you might as well not go (and if the class is small enough to take attendance, your professor will probably notice that you’re not engaged and don’t care). </p>

<p>Also understand that you have the privilege of attending college and strive to get the most out of your education. That sounds obvious, but there are so many students who don’t realize the opportunity they have and don’t care.</p>