<p>It seems still has more than half a year to go to college, so I would like to learn something in order to prepare for the enjoyable but stressful college life. would you mind giving me some suggestions about the books I need to read and other things I need to prepare?
Also, do I need to bring down jacket ,full dress to the college? Thank you very much~</p>
<p>There's very little that you could read that would prepare you for college life, unfortunately. Though there are plenty of guidebooks out there that profess to be everything college students need to know. </p>
<p>It might be interesting to learn something about Smith. Our former president Deborah Ker Conway (not sure if that's how you spell it) has written a couple of really interesting books about her road from childhood in the Australian outback to president of Smith. </p>
<p>You won't need a down jacket right away. When you arrive it will be hot and very humid, so make sure you have some summer clothes. The first thing you will want to buy will be a fan since the dorm rooms are not air conditioned and they can get very hot. For the fall, it's good to have rain boots (you can buy them at Smith) and a fall jacket, something warm, but not a heavy duty down item. It usually doesn't get really cold until right before finals.</p>
<p>Jill Ker Conway. :) I haven't read any of her books, but IIRC it's the third of her memoirs (and I can't remember the title) that is about her time at Smith. The first is The Road from Coorain.</p>
<p>Right! Jill Ker Conway. I always get her name confused with Deborah Kerr, who is another person altogether.</p>
<p>I wouldn't suggest reading any particular books. I would recommend learning lots of little life's lessons ... if you don't know now ... learn to do laundry, open a checkign account and get an ATM card, get a credit card, get a part-time job etc ... do things moving yourself towards being an independent adult so it won't be the first time at school. </p>
<p>PS - congrats on getting into Smith ... it was one of my favorite schools during my daughter's school tour last spring!</p>
<p>Thank you very much, it is so nice of you to give me some suggestions.
borgin and SmithieandProud : thank you , I will find her books, it is fun to learn more things about smith.
3togo: thanks, smith is my dream school, and I am really happy to get in ~Also,what you said are quite important things , I learned a lot from my mom recently. compare to my mom sometimes I felt I am "a little bit" clumsy @-@</p>
<p>ps: well,I am an international student, so feel free to introduce some good movies or books that I can learn more about America, or just good movies or books ,maybe not only college life. Thank you.</p>
<p>One thing to consider are books from your own country that might address particular problems that people from your culture have had moving to the United States or another country. These can be fun and informative and you can have a good time comparing your experiences to the authors. Also, it's helpful to read something from your own cultural perspective. </p>
<p>For an example of what I mean, books like "Notes on a Small Island" by Bill Bryson are popular. He's a humor writer who grew up in the United States, but married a British woman and lived in England for 20 years, only coming back to America after his children are grown. I found Notes on Small Island to be SO helpful when I went to Britain for my study abroad year, it was invaluable to get another confused American's perspective on living in Britain and British culture.</p>
<p>Oh I second S&P's suggestion. Many international students are often shocked by American culture. I have friends in Israel who basically thought everything in American films and media was absolutely true (even the Animal House...). I live with a Korean roommate and she certainly didn't know what to expect. Nothing prepared them for the realities of America when they visited at one time or another. Forget about the movies, actually read magazines, particularly travel ones, and US newspapers to learn more about American culture and manners. But I have to warn you that our media's rather liberal and tends to exaggerate... at least from the Northeast perspective. But you will LOVE the US- I have yet to meet anyone who hated it. But they don't love it enough to stay and that's okay. Also know that the US is seriously huge that you pretty much need to fly if you want to travel outside of the Northeast. Smith is in good location that you should be able to visit all the nearby states throughout your 4 years here.</p>
<p>Be grateful that you're getting this amazing opportunity! Congrats on being accepted in ED!</p>
<p>Thank you SmithieandProud and ticklemepink, they are useful suggestions. I guess I have a lot of things to do now. <em>-</em>
By the way, Notes from a small Island is a good book(although I have not read it,a lot of people recommended it on the internet.) now, it is in my book list~
Reading magazines and newspaper is a good idea, I just a little bit suprised how can I ingore this method. Also, thank you for the reminding.</p>