<p>Just thought I'd post something on here about what I learned Freshman year at BSU!
I'll prolly continue to update it.</p>
<p>1- Ball State is not a sucky education. Some people may look down on it but I swear, it isn't. You can get a great education and take challenging classes and learn, or you can party 24/7. Ball State is just as a legitimate public school as IU or Purdue</p>
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<li><p>Bring a printer. Yes, you get free b&w printing. but try and find a small compact printer with a color ink cartridge. BSU charges for color prints and it's just easier if you have one. I needed to print brochures, papers with pictures embedded, magazine style projects, and handouts. </p></li>
<li><p>Make sure you remember the attendance policies. Some teachers start deducting participation points after 2 absences, some give you LOTS of extra credit if you go to every class. But, I like most people skipped a lot of classes. If you do well without attending every single class, it may not hurt you but thats a risk you'll need to assess.</p></li>
<li><p>If you live in a dorm with stackable furniture, try rearranging the room until you find which set up works the best. It took me && my roomie until Xmas to figure it out, but sooo much easier.</p></li>
<li><p>Explore the different dining places. Noyer has the best "shopping" selection and its a good place to go and stock up on things for the dorm when you don't want to lose your meal swipe. </p></li>
<li><p>Inqst Tests. You love them or hate them. I've only had them for one class, and it worked fine. But some people have these computer tests for classes like math or econ and it would mess me up personally. You'll know if they are regular or inqst tests by the first class.</p></li>
<li><p>Don't be afraid to drop a class or switch sections. You can switch sections or classes all together through out the first week. Take advantage. If you can tell from the beginning that you aren't going to do well with a professor, don't hurt your GPA or wait so long you can't get into another class. And as for dropping, you get a REALLY long time. If by the midterm you are just digging yourself deeper, you might as well drop it because you're going to have to retake it anyway, why hurt your GPA even temporarily?</p></li>
<li><p>If you are a girl and are having trouble meeting people. Rush. Seriously. It helped me sooo much. It isn't a big Greek life and is nothing compared to IU or somewhere, but I wouldn't have been into that anyway. Rushing made me so much more comfortable on campus just because I recognize and know SO many more people. From my sorority, from others, from fraternities, just from all over. At least go through recruitment, because then you at least meet 30+ girls from your living area. It's great. Promise.</p></li>
<li><p>Parking sucks. Seriously. Be very careful when bringing the car on campus because the parking cops are nazis. They ticket like crazy and its hard to appeal. There are parking lots you can park in after 5 and the garages after 7. (On Fridays, you can park in the garage after 5 and then weekends u can park anywhere besides special and handicap) Also, take advantage of Charlie Charter. If its late and you are afraid to walk, or need to get to your car, its a lifesaver.</p></li>
<li><p>Have fun. BSU is really laid back if you want it to be. Go out, even if you don't drink. Meet people. Go to Late Nite. Go to the Free Films at pruis. Join clubs. Just get involved and have fun.</p></li>
<li><p>BSU is kind of cliquey. With it having lower standards than some schools (although... this doesn't make us a crappy school. We weed people out really fast. Those who didn't come to learn, they fail out. Quick.) a lot of people come to BSU in packs. people come with all of their high school friends and it can make people less approachable. But, I promise there are lots of great people without friends attached to their hip. Talk to people in classes, at the atrium, wherever!</p></li>
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