Freshman

<p>Coming to campus this fall. Any suggestions for freshmen as far as classes and teachers to have 1st semester? Along that line any academic advisors students have thought where particularly helpful?</p>

<p>On a social note any advice on cool activities or things to do that a new student should know? Any tips for freshmen would be greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>You won’t be able to pick your advisor until sophomore year (unless things have changed).</p>

<p>If you think you know your major, take at least one required class for that major. It may change your mind (or seal the deal).</p>

<p>If you’re not sure, take as many DIFFERENT classes as possible. Make sure you know the graduation requirements and take classes that apply to those that are in a field you might be interested in, even vaguely.</p>

<p>Personal Anecdote: I had a friend who went into freshman year thinking she was going to be premed. She took Chem 111, HATED it, and instead fell in love with the Religion department based on a New Testament class. She ended up a religion and politics major.</p>

<p>If you ask around about Professors, take “interesting” over “easy.” Most of my “easy” professors were so boring I didn’t do well in their classes because I care so little. I would rather work really hard for a good professor. But that’s just me.</p>

<p>Delaney’s good in the History Department
Brown in Religion
Keene and Braunschneider in English. Conner is probably one of the smartest and best professors around, but THE MOST demanding. Keene and Braunschneider are more accessible unless your interests line up with Connor’s (mine didn’t, but some people LOVE him)
Take Benefiel’s Pompeii class in the Classics department. It’s phenomenal
Uffelman is apparently the most beloved chemistry professor in the history of the world, but I’m not sure he teaches entry level. Chem majors also ahve good things to say about France.</p>

<p>Most other subjects I either didn’t take or didn’t love, but as always, your mileage may vary.</p>

<p>In terms of activities, there’ll be a fair in the first week. Go to that. Sign up for everything you like, you can always stop going if it doesn’t jibe.</p>

<p>Also sign up for a pre-orientation trip!! They’re wonderful, super fun, and a great way to meet both upperclassmen and fellow first-years before Orientation week even starts. You can find that info on the W&L website.</p>

<p>Just another quick question. Is there anything that a freshman should bring to campus to make make the dorms more comfortable? Are most of the rooms small or large?</p>

<p>Fans! Not kidding here --it’s hot, so it helps to have one in the window and another in the room. </p>

<p>Also, we always brought a nice swivel desk chair on wheels bc the one in the room is not comfortable enough to use if you work at your desk and it gives you another chair for a guest. </p>

<p>In terms of storage, think “up” – we bought open shelves and plastic milk crates and placed them on top of the dresser and on top of the frig Served as perfect storage for socks, etc. Still using them 4 yrs later!</p>

<p>For bed, a good memory foam mattress topper will make the bed much more comfortable.</p>

<p>8 cinderblocks. If you stack 2 under each bed leg, it will raise the bed enough to store a refrigerator, suitcases, and out of season clothes.</p>

<p>Definitely bring fans as the freshman dorms don’t have AC.</p>

<p>The closets are small, so bring hangers that can hold multiple items at once.</p>

<p>So can you actually loft the beds at WLU? That seems like a great way to create space. Thanks for the info on fans we will get on that right away. Also can freshmen have cars on campus.</p>

<p>Is the laundry service worth it? Do they do a decent job? Also what about freshmen having cars- is it worth it or more of a hassle? Is parking a problem? Thanks for you thoughts.</p>

<p>Got something that said the facilities people will “loft” furniture - is this the equivalent
of using the cinderblocks? Thanks.</p>

<p>Great suggestions - what kind of open shelves (a folding bookcase or the hard plastic
kind like a garage…)? Sorry, haven’t seen a room (put in for single in G-Lees) so
clueless on what will work. thanks</p>