<p>I saw this on a thread from a few years ago, it looked very informative, so I thought I’d repost it:</p>
<p>I just want to share a few pearls of wisdom with those headed to USC.</p>
<li><p>Don’t come in with huge expectations of what you are going to do for all four years of college. I remember after my orientation, I sat down with the course catalog and planned out what I <em>thought</em> would be my class schedule for every semester for the next four years. What happened? Within a year I had switched my major, added a minor, and not been able to register for some of the classes I <em>thought</em> I wanted. Plans WILL change. Go in with an open mind, and be willing to accept whatever comes your way.</p></li>
<li><p>Take a semester to adjust to your new surroundings. First semester freshman year can be one of the most fun times of your life if you let it be. You make friends in the dorms, you join student clubs and/or Greek organizations, and most people adjust to the freedom of not having anyone tell you what to do. Don’t overload yourself with too much academia, and don’t stress out too much if you (gasp) get a B or something in a class. You will eventually figure out where you fit into everything, you just have to give it time.</p></li>
<li><p>There is no terrible dorm. All the freshman dorms are fairly social, and even if you are assigned to apartments (as I was), campus housing is what you make of it. Remember that you can always get a reassignment, and if your building isn’t social/quiet enough for you, there are other places on campus where you can find those things.</p></li>
<li><p>Before you register for classes, go to <a href=“http://www.senatecourseguide.com/[/url]”>http://www.senatecourseguide.com/</a>. This is a place that USC students rank classes/professors they have had. It’s a great way to choose between GE’s or sections with different instructors.</p></li>
<li><p>Get involved right away with some type of organization you enjoy. There is an involvement fair the first week of classes that has all kinds of clubs represented and you will be sure to find something that can give you a relief from studying and a good way to meet new people. Fraternity/Sorority rush is also during the first week of school and is probably the easiest way to meet new people on campus. USC has a huge Greek system. Over 1,500 freshman register for rush each year. If you are a social person, maybe you should too.</p></li>
<li><p>Meal plans: you get what you pay for. The cafeteria food gets boring, so if you get a plan that doesn’t have flex/dining/discretionary for the other on-campus food options, you are probably going to complain about the food a lot. And if you get the most expensive plan, you are going to end up with left-over money and be able to treat all your friends to Upstairs Commons (the served restaurant) at the end of the semester. Choose what’s most important to you.</p></li>
<li><p>Weekends: People at SC go home en masse on the weekends. I’d say like 50% of people do, or go home with their friends. The exception is when we have a football game, which everyone goes to.</p></li>
<li><p>Learn, as soon as possible, and in a safe environment, what your drinking limits are. Every year, some dumb freshman doesn’t know their alcohol limits and takes a trip to the emergency room. Hundreds of others just get sloppy-drunk and act really stupid. Don’t let this be you.</p></li>
<li><p>To freshman girls: the older frat guys are NOT really interested in you. They are interested in sleeping with you. Freshman girls fall for all their lines and are generally a lot easier to get into bed than the older, wiser, more cynical upperclassmen. Have fun, but don’t get taken advantage of.</p></li>
<li><p>Keep in mind your long-distance goals. Make sure to actually go to class and study the amount you should and don’t fall behind in reading. Get internships starting your sophomore year. Join/found/run for positions in the clubs organizations you joined in step 5. Network and make contacts with everyone you meet, because in 5 years, that senior that was in your spanish class might have some influence for a position you want to interview for. Keep in touch with your good professors too, you never know when you might need recs.</p></li>
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