The one thing you learned after your first semester of college?

<p>Like someone previously said, earning 4.0’s only make you feel good for like 30 minutes - i learnt that the hard way.</p>

<p>I also learnt that if i did bad on a test, chances were that the vast majority of students in the class also did bad on the test - this is only applicable in science classes as i’m terrible at Mathematics.</p>

<p>Last thing i learnt was that no matter what your parents say, take your PS3 and your TV with you to college - trust me, the time you would spend on them easily gets spent on your laptop. It’s called the Law of Conservation of Idleness.</p>

<p>Grades not nearly as cut throat as in HS when every smart kid is fighting over the top ten percent.
This coming from a Cornell engineer.</p>

<p>I learned:</p>

<p>to hit the gym often, especially when feeling stressed. I now think of exercising as part of my normal schedule, and I feel better than ever.</p>

<p>Use the counseling center if you think you really need to talk to someone about your stress/issues. They’re there to help, and won’t judge. </p>

<p>Office hours. Go to them.</p>

<p>Don’t be afraid to ask for an extension. Just don’t do it frequently.</p>

<p>Have clothing that is appropriate for the types of weather that you’re likely to encounter on campus. Where I am, I need all types of gear. (Ohio weather, </3)</p>

<p>Some people are mature. Some act like they are still in high school, sadly.</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Ladies, if he has a reputation as a player, 99.9% of the time, he’s a PLAYER!</p></li>
<li><p>Drinking and partying kinda gets old (at least in my opinion). Instead of partying every single weekend, try getting some studying/work done. You’d be surprised at the results!</p></li>
<li><p>Get a workout buddy.</p></li>
</ul>

<p>If you’re a morning person, just get up early. You might not be on exactly the same schedule as everyone else, but you’ll get more accomplished and ultimately feel better. I know I can get more done from 7-9 in the morning than I can at 11-2 at night, so I’m just now learning to go with it and not suffer the pressure to stay up late.</p>

<p>I learned that 10 point curves a likely at the end of the semester in science courses. </p>

<p>I spent the second half of the semseter, crying and stressing about the grades in Biology and Chemistry. I thought I has going to fail both. Turns out 10 point curves are typical.</p>

<p>Make sure you aren’t dreaming within a dream before a 7:30 AM class.</p>

<p>Things I learned:</p>

<p>If you have a Mac, buy the Schoolhouse App. You put in your classes and your assignments and check them off as you do them. It reminds you things are due and keeps track of your grade. VERY USEFUL.</p>

<p>Do NOT, and I repeat DO NOT buy your books at the campus bookstore if you can avoid it. I actually made an INVESTMENT in books my first semester (as in, I paid less for the books than the bookstore bought them back for). The internet was developed for a reason.</p>

<p>Speaking of the internet, RateMyProfessors is AMAZING. It can be incredibly laggy, but I didn’t have a single rotten professor last semester.</p>

<p>Do something you normally wouldn’t. I joined the marching band at my school, and while that IS something I would normally do, joining the band FRATERNITY isn’t. I’ve had so much fun getting to know the guys and gals in my chapter.</p>

<p>Don’t be afraid to change your major if you don’t like it. I’m already on my third major since classes started in August.</p>

<p>Be flexible. Your roommate will appreciate it.</p>

<p>Don’t forget your key!!!</p>

<p>Here’s what I learned after my first semester back in 2008:</p>

<p>1.) The differences between one professor and another can be the difference bewteen making a C- and an easy A.</p>

<p>2.) Advisors in liberal arts are stupid and don’t know what they’re talking about half the time. Example, I was told to take an Intro. to Astronomy class for non-science majors and it turned out to be the toughest class I have taken thus far in my college career.</p>

<p>3.) A college degree with no job expeirence means nothing. Get a job to add to your resume.</p>

<p>4.) Stressing out over Calculus and going the whole day without eating every now and then will result in 20-Lbs lost. Amazing method for those who want to loose weight. On a serious note, EAT!</p>

<p>I stressed out and didn’t eat because of constant studying and I dropped from 170-lbs to 140-lbs by the end of Fall 2008 (and I’m a male).</p>

<p>5.) Drinking and partying should be reserved for Friday nights and or Saturdays only and NOT Sundays where you need to study.</p>

<p>6.) Talk to people and find out as much as you can from upperclassmen, it helps.</p>

<p>Several things:

  1. DO NOT fall into a self-loathing slump. Accept mistakes as essential life lessons: extract their message, apply it to future situations, and most importantly, move on.
  2. Step away from the laptop. Limiting time spent skyping and facebooking helped me reach out and meet more people.
  3. It does not matter where you are, but what you do. This lesson is soo incredibly important. Believe in your abilities and make the most out of the hand you’re dealt.</p>

<p>My first year was a horrible, horrible mess. First semester of the second year went a little better. I probably great underestimated the shock of going from an all-boys, all-male, virtually all-white and all-conservative Catholic high school to Brown University.</p>

<ol>
<li>All things in balance. </li>
</ol>

<p>I actually went through a dip in November simply because there was a lack of parties. I got all of my work done really early, but it just made me less focused on the whole. I can be kind of intense, and I realized I couldn’t really take it easy anywhere. So I worked very hard and I partied very hard, and I worked out very hard to be my fulcrum for the two. Go to Fish Co. Wednesdays. Just work hard to get that problem set in before you go out.</p>

<ol>
<li>Advising sucks.</li>
</ol>

<p>I basically stopped talking to my advisor halfway through last year, fed-up with her incompetence, so they switched me to a new one over the summer and I basically go to her to get my PIN to register for classes, which is exactly what I want. Other students are going to be a much better resource for general class matters, not some professor who doesn’t really have the time to learn the ins and outs of every department. Just take what you’re going to enjoy and don’t worry about overloading on requirements and difficult classes unless you’re absolutely sure you know what you’re getting and that’s what you want. And don’t wait until too long to bail on one. If something isn’t going right, change it while you can.</p>

<ol>
<li>Sleep like a champion.</li>
</ol>

<p>Don’t take a nap. A nap is basically an admission that you’re too weak to get through the day. It kills your sleep schedule and is just going to create a pattern of grogginess that’s tough to break. So go to bed early, don’t be working on stuff until 4AM every night. There’s no need for that to happen (well, maybe if you go to Caltech…). If you see it starting to, you need to re-evaluate your day, and start to hit the books as soon as classes end and just work hard to get it all done quickly. Then sleep will be a reward, not an escape. </p>

<p>I stress the first one the most. Finding balance is key, and it’s different for every person. Find what is what, and do not hesitate for a moment to change what is not.</p>

<p>One thing I learned: take a class from a good professor rather than a class with an interesting description. Dull professors can make an interesting topic ridiculously boring, and a good professor can make something you thought was boring exciting.</p>

<p>-Don’t procrastinate
-Don’t BS like I did in High school and last school year…
-I just learned that cramster and energy drinks are going to be my friends in this term -_-;</p>

<p>Study and gained motivation!</p>

<p>The mistake i made is that i didn’t organize myself and due to this i wasn’t able too complete some of the assignments on time…as a result i got low score</p>

<p>For me
-Take atleast 6 - 5 classes a semester.
-I learned to stop procrastinating
-Never use my laptop in class</p>

<p>Make time for the gym, and don’t worry if you’ve never worked out before.</p>

<p>Time management, Self discipline, Priorities…Priorities…Priorities…The P word that most people overlook. NOT Partying during the week.</p>

<p>Party everyday of the week. Have fun. And then think about that homework stuff… but then decide sleep sounds more fun. Rinse and Repeat.</p>

<p>Memorize the chapter. Memorize your notes. There is no such thing as the easy way out.</p>