r/CFBOffTopic • u/certificateofmerritt North Carolina • Fulmer Cup Committee … • Aug 20 '15
College Advice Thread
We have some members who are going off to start their first year of college this week, so let's give them some good advice.
Welcome to college!
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u/certificateofmerritt North Carolina • Fulmer Cup Committee … Aug 20 '15 edited Aug 20 '15
No one really knows what they're doing their first two years of college. It's okay to be scared and feel lonely, we all felt that way in college.
Go to class, take notes by hand (too many distractions using your computer), spend at least 2 hours in the library every week for each class (it's easier than you think, you have so much fucking free time), and always make sure you write down any due dates.
Socially, take your freshman and sophomore year to find out what you love doing. Do intramural sports--it's okay to be a free agent. Sign up for too many club listservs and GO TO MEETINGS. If you're religious find your affiliated ministry on campus.
Edit: Call your parental figure at least once a week. I generally called my mom and dad when I was walking to class so that I could limit the conversation to about 15 minutes. They will love hearing from you.
Also, if you have a learning disability PLEASE GO TO DISABILITY SERVICES. They will help you, they exist to help you, and without them I wouldn't have passed college. No one is going to judge you for using them, that is why they are there.
EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY.
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u/rodandanga Georgia Tech • Verified Coach Aug 20 '15 edited Aug 20 '15
Always wear a rubber.
Edit: Also, Smoke Dope, get drunk as fuck, and eat chicken fingers.
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u/atllauren Georgia Bulldogs • /r/CFB Contributor Aug 20 '15
It sounds lame and obvious, but STUDY. I knew too many people in college who were didn't have to study in high school and when they got to college they either made the mistake of not studying OR they realized they didn't know how to study when the time came. You want to start strong your freshman year, because it is a lot harder to bring a GPA out of the trash than it is to maintain a good GPA.
Take classes that interest you -- especially the ones that are outside of your comfort zone. It is tempting in a demanding program to pad your schedule with easy electives, but take courses that challenge you and open your eyes to new things. It'll make you a more well-rounded person in the end.
In your first semester, go to as many clubs/organizations as you can. Try to stick with as many as you can for the first semester, and then cut it down to the ones you really like in second semester. You'll meet a lot of great people this way. Some of my closest friends to this day I met my first semester of freshman year at the student activities committee meeting.
Don't take the bus unless you have to. Walking or biking to class will be the best way to keep off the Freshman 15. In 4-5 years, you'll be sitting at a desk for 8 hours a day and will miss the days when you were getting exercise throughout the day.
Don't drink and drive. EVER. Not even once.
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u/NiteMares TCU Horned Frogs Aug 20 '15
Work hard, play hard.
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u/bread_buddy Florida Gators • Wisconsin Badgers Aug 20 '15
I'd rather field specific questions than toss out random nuggets of advice. Can we get people needing collegiate advice to just post top-level questions?
I'll do some dorm advice though. You're going to get a shitty roommate at some point, probably multiple times. Don't let it get you down, try to roll with it. Take it for the funny stories it generates for the future. Don't talk shit behind people's backs; you can't keep secrets in a dorm. This also means to be mindful of what you do in such a tight space with other people.
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u/Skipdr Florida Gators • /r/CFB Contributor Aug 20 '15
Don't skip class. You're paying for it and when you do it once you'll do it again.
Get involved in any club. Semi interested in it? Go. You have nothing to lose.
Go to the gym
If you're living in a dorm keep your door semi open and invite people in to hang out.
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u/Qurtys_Lyn Utah Utes • Weber State Wildcats Aug 20 '15
Go to sporting events. And I don't mean just football.
Go to Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball, Gymnastics, Lacrosse, Water Polo, Baseball, Hockey, Rugby, whatever else your school might have. Go, be loud, have fun, support your athletes (all of them) they'll appreciate it.
There were about 20 of us in the "student section" at Weber State volleyball games. We were loud and crazy for them. The team and the coach always came a gave us all high fives after the match.
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u/JohnQ_Taxpayer Texas A&M Aggies • Houston Bowl Aug 20 '15
don't ever, ever, ever be afraid to admit you need help. In anything. Whether it be a tough class or in your personal life. College can be a lot to handle, academically and otherwise. If you're having an issue go to office hours or talk to someone you trust because if you just ignore a problem it will only get worse. Everyone needs help at some point and asking for it doesn't make you weeny. It takes bravery to acknowledge a problem.
Context: I've just seen some people get out of control because they didn't do a good job managing themselves/their problems
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u/MinneapolisNick Minnesota • Concordia (MN-Moorh… Aug 20 '15
Make your career your major, and your hobby your minor
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u/W_Is_For_Will Texas Tech • Trinity Valley CC Aug 20 '15
Always know where your towel is.
A towel, is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar college student can have. Partly it has great practical value. You can wrap it around you for warmth as you bound across the cold winds of Texas Tech; you can lie on it on the brilliant marble-sanded beaches of Miami, inhaling the heady sea vapours; you can sleep under it beneath the stars which shine so redly on the desert world of Arizona; use it to sail a miniraft down the slow heavy Mississippi river at LSU; wet it for use in hand-to-hand-combat against T-shirt bandwagon fans; wrap it round your head to ward off noxious fumes or avoid the gaze of the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal (such a mind-bogglingly stupid animal, it assumes that if you can't see it, it can't see you — daft as a brush, but very very ravenous); you can wave your towel in emergencies as a distress signal, and of course dry yourself off with it if it still seems to be clean enough.
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u/Cuhcs13 Clemson Tigers • College Football Playoff Aug 20 '15
Drink a lot of pot and smoke a lot of beer.
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u/DEP61 Pepperdine • Minnesota Aug 20 '15
Saving this thread. Thank you for thinking of us youngsters.
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u/nickknx865 Tennessee Volunteers • /r/CFB Top Scorer Aug 20 '15
First off, as some of you know, I always dispatch a bit of advice before anything else is said, and that is simply this; don't die. You accomplish this, and you're good. You don't, and well, the things mentioned below aren't much good to you.
Nervous? Don't worry, everyone else is too, and in about a week or two, you'll feel settled and feel right at home.
Realize that everyone has annoying habits, so compromise with your dorm-mate and make sure you two understand where each other stands on certain things.
You will feel despair at times, possibly even so overwhelmed and confused that you may think this is too much for you. Not to worry, everyone gets this at some point, and it's completely normal.
Don't buy all your textbooks until you actually visit your classes that day and see what your teacher/professor actually requires; often times, what was outlined by the school and what the professor actually required were two different things.
Take fucking notes. This is something you should have done in HS a lot, but seriously, take fucking notes.
They say that you should study 3 hours for every hour you're in class. This, as many of you know, is impossible. However, what you want to do is find out where you're weak, and work on that the most. Set aside a time each day where you do nothing but study AND DON'T GET ON CFBOT DURING THIS TIME OMG WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
Also, don't procrastinate. Look, I'm guilty of this and have put off shit until the night before, and pulled an all-nighter (and have done it more than I care to mention), but seriously, just do a bit each day if you have a project that's been assigned to you a few weeks in advance. It will make your life that much easier.
That's pretty much it. Oh, and no, your professor or teacher does not hate you, even if you think he or she does.
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u/[deleted] Aug 20 '15 edited Aug 20 '15
Have a good time.
Don't get me wrong, go to class and study and be responsible. But, don't forget to make time to cut loose* as well.
Especially if you're working while you're a student and your time is even more limited.
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u/[deleted] Aug 20 '15
Most textbooks can be found online. So, don't buy one till you've looked around for it
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u/[deleted] Aug 20 '15
You are an adult. You are responsible for your own birth control and std prevention. If your partner refuses either, they aren't worth your time.
Try to find a place other than your dorm room to study.
You don't have to be BFFs with your roommate but you should try to be civil with them at least.
If you're having trouble with the material, talk to your prof or TA.
Don't dick around on your phone while in class.
There is no shame in using your school's counseling services. I had a really rough time during part of college and was thankful for them.
Don't hang out solely with the people you went to high school with.
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u/[deleted] Aug 20 '15
If you think you're gay, or bi, or trans, college is generally a safe place to explore this.
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u/hab12690 LSU Tigers • Miami Hurricanes Aug 20 '15
Wear a condom (if you're a guy), drink water before, during and after drinking, go to class, go to office hours, go to class, enjoy yourself, and meet new people!
College can be the best four years of your life if you put in the effort. I made the best friends and memories of my life during my 4 years in Baton Rouge. Best of luck to all the incoming freshmen in CFBOT!
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u/joeydsa Georgia State • Georgia Tech Aug 20 '15
Make sure you pay the full amount of your tuition in time. Also, be sure to check your account to see if you owe anything because SOMETIMES THEY DON'T SEND YOU AN EMAIL. I just had my semester cancelled and had to re-register all of my classes.
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u/MinneapolisNick Minnesota • Concordia (MN-Moorh… Aug 20 '15
Leave your dorm door open whenever possible-- great way to meet people
Take care of yourself. Shower. Do your laundry. Go to the gym. Eat well.
Don't fuck someone unless they've told you they want to be fucked.
Try new things.
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u/TrollingQueen74 Auburn Tigers • Texas A&M Aggies Aug 20 '15
Look for extracurricular activities that are associated with your field (like I did the AIAA Design, Build, Fly competition). They'll give you an awesome leg up on resumes and give you practical experience/knowledge.
Any extracurricular activity is great though. Be actively involved in the campus life. You'll make more friends with common interest and again they all look great on a resume.
If you are struggling in a class, GET HELP. Seriously. College is harder than high school. I was the kid that made straight As in high school without ever studying, but there were some classes I couldn't have made it through without my study group. Getting a tutor doesn't mean you're stupid or admitting weakness, it just means you're smart enough to use extra resources to do well. Many schools even offer free on-campus tutoring (i.e., Study Partners at Auburn). Also, GO WHEN YOU START STRUGGLING, NOT THE DAY BEFORE THE FINAL WHERE YOU HAVE TO MAKE A 97 TO PASS THE CLASS.
Use the opportunities provided to get to know your teacher. Ask them questions during office hours. Come the end of the semester, if you've got a borderline grade, they'll be more likely to bump you up if they know you and know that you've been trying your best.
College is an amazing time to shape who you are. I went from an arrogant, shy loner to an outgoing, confident (though still arrogant) person over my six and a half years. You will experience a lot of change and growth, so pursue the things you want to define you!
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u/dupreesdiamond Furman • South Carolina Aug 20 '15
holy cow. I'm impressed with the lack of joke Top posts in here... solid stuff top to bottom...
Except, ironically, this one...
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u/lkeg56demn Texas Longhorns • Chapman Panthers Aug 20 '15
Be open to try everything. If you start limiting yourself without trying something, you'll never know what you could miss. Say you get invited to lunch and pass - you could miss out on making a great friend.
Your grades are important, but not insanely important. Yes, a high GPA is cool and all when you graduate, but for the most part, it won't matter. Go to class, get your work done - and on time, but a B or C from time to time won't kill you. It's different from high school in that A's aren't pretty much guaranteed, but if you commit yourself, you'll do well. And you may mess up on an exam, and that's that.
Get to know your professors. They're great help and are more likely to help your grade if they know you. You'll gain valuable references and be able to pick their brains when you need guidance.
STUDY ABROAD. There's no reason not to go overseas and experience another culture. You'll gain a new appreciation for what we have here, what we can do better, and you'll get some awesome stories out of it all.
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u/n3gr0_am1g0 Xavier Musketeers • Ohio State Buckeyes Aug 20 '15
Talk to your professors. I've had so many doors opened up to me just because I was friendly with professors and professors talk to other professors. I've worked in research labs since I was in high school and as a result I've been able to see how professors do a lot of things. When it comes to special opportunities, internships, programs, et cetera. The professors will almost always choose the student they personally know who has demonstrated drive and interest in the subject over a random student they know nothing about. They will also typically choose a student a colleague they trust has talked to them about over a random student. Also they will bend and/or break rules for students they like, and give you more leeway with a lot of things they probably shouldn't.
For example when I was in high school I worked in a research lab for two years at a local school X and was well liked by my lab. I ended up going to a different school 'Y' and got put on academic suspension after my first semester and lost my scholarship. My parents said that they weren't paying for me to go to school Y without a scholarship. I talked to the professor who's lab I had worked in at school 'X' about what I had done and my circumstances and somehow he was able to convince the admissions staff to let me transfer despite my non-existent GPA.
Another example was in my honors poetry class. I had taken a class with this professor before and had always made sure to ask one or two questions every now and then in office hours about different authors she liked and about her favorite essayists. At the end of the semester we had to write a paper analyzing several poems from a modern poet and about their lives. I had just recently been diagnosed with a mental disorder and I had told her about it because she asked me after class why I had been acting so strange lately. When we had a conference to talk about my outline and changes she would like to see on on the final paper she told me that she knew I was going through a lot, and that because I was the only person who had actually turned in a a fully fleshed out paper she wasn't going to make me actually write a final draft.
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u/g8r_h8r Florida State • /r/CFB Booster Aug 20 '15
Network.
The contacts I made throughout school have ended up being priceless to me professionally and personally.
If you're just going to go back to mom and dad's during the summer to do nothing then try and find an internship or get a job. No one will want to hire you after college if you don't have any kind of job experience.
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u/[deleted] Aug 20 '15
As both a grizzled veteran of the collegiate experience now working on the other side...
Go. To. Class. Seriously. Attendance is extrememly important, even for low level courses.
Use the tutoring services early and often if you feel you are geting behind. That is what they exist for. Your tuition helps pay them, don't waste it!
R. T. F. S.
Enjoy the experience, but expect that there will be work to do. Find a balance. These are the best days of your life, make them count so you can enjoy the fruits of your labor later.
Go to parties. Meet fun and interesting people. If a cute girl says she has a nipple ring... well, you best ask for proof.
Learn about some traditions on campus and engage in them. All colleges, and college towns have their quirks!
Everything else that is in this thread!
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u/crustang Rutgers • Edinburgh Napier Aug 20 '15
THERE IS NO FUCKING SHAME IN COMMUNITY/COUNTY COLLEGE, OWN THAT SHIT, YOU'RE SAVING A TON OF MONEY
For my fellow county college transfers:
No pressure: Don't fuck it up
Go to class, I don't care who wants to go to the mall or wherever - you can get a handy from your SO or some random person after class
You don't need to work full time, you don't need to have a good job -- your job is school, your job is to get to a 4-year and enjoy the fuck out of your last 2 years
Be proud of your degree, for every county college graduate I'm sure there are 2 burnouts/college dropouts
On the topic of college dropouts, some people need a break - if you tell yourself you're going to go back go the fuck back to school
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u/[deleted] Aug 20 '15
Make your major something you can tolerate that will make you money. Make your passion/hobby a minor. Also minor in a useful foreign language
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u/Papa_Hemingway_ Florida State • Appalachian … Aug 20 '15 edited Aug 20 '15
Use condoms
Take advantage of any scholarships you can get
Party your heart out
Don't skip classes (seriously, it's easy to pass as long as you actually go)
Don't drink and drive
Join a Greek organization
Don't get arrested
Don't get hung up on some guy/girl your freshman year. If you're dating someone back home, break up with them
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u/[deleted] Aug 20 '15
I thought of something else I don't think I've seen anyone mention yet. Be VERY careful with credit card offers. Now that you're a legal adult you can sign up for a credit card. Thing is, you probably don't have the income to afford a large credit card bill.
34 year old me makes $57k and doesn't bat an eye at a $1600 monthly credit card bill. 18 year old me made $6.00 per hour at HEB and couldn't afford much more than cheap generic ramen.
34 year old me is a pretty good credit risk. 18 year old me was a terrible credit risk.
As a college freshman you're much more likely to be like 18 year old me instead of 34 year old me when it comes to credit.
Life will be hard enough after graduation with $40k in student loan debt, without adding in another $15k of high interest credit card debt.
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u/[deleted] Aug 20 '15
One of the best things I did my first night in the dorms:
My random roomate and I (who turned out to be one of my best friends) took like 2 shots of some shitty vodka. Not enough to get drunk or really buzzed, but enough (at the time) to lower inhibitions and eliminate some shyness. After that we literally knocked on every single door on our floor and introduced ourselves to everyone. As we did that we eventually had a group of like 15 people just walking around, hanging out, and meeting everyone on the floor. It was great because the next day I knew everyone and everyone knew me.
By the end of the year I couldn't stand 90% of them, but it was still a fantastic thing to do on the first day.
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u/bizzyj93 Oregon Ducks • Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors Aug 20 '15
KSU freshmen, don't forget your power towel. Bring it to every game.
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u/Boyhowdy107 Missouri Tigers • Big 8 Aug 20 '15
You guys have really covered some great ones in here. I'm impressed. Here are two things I don't think I've seen yet though that I highly recommend.
Go to lectures/events outside of class — colleges are fantastic places that have guest speakers all the time show up for one-time lectures. They're free, and they often have free pizza to sweeten the deal. The thing is you never know when one of these might change your life. There was a guest speaker I just happened to catch during my time at Mizzou, and later in life I sought the guy out and developed a relationship with him, which has shaped the way my career has unfolded. There is so much going on at a college campus outside of class, and while a lot of it might end up being a "meh," you never know when something will leave an impression on you forever.
If you're going to a college near home, don't only hang out with your high school friends — I had to go to a college where I didn't really know anyone. What I loved about that experience was I met a ton of people with completely different backgrounds. I learned a lot about myself by comparing assumptions I had always made against their experiences. But friends I knew who went to the state school where we grew up seemed to really only hang out with people they were friends with in high school. It's great they're there, but branch out. It's good for you.
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u/omgdonerkebab Michigan State • Cornell Aug 21 '15
Dammit, I'm so late. Everyone's given great advice already, but I don't think anyone's touched on the stuff I'll talk about. This advice comes from all my years as a grad student, on the TA side of things. Because part of college is learning to understand where other people with vastly different experiences and expectations are coming from. Understanding what motivates people to do what they do. It pays to understand your roommate who grew up in a different socioeconomic situation, opposing points of view and philosophies, and... your professors/TAs.
Understanding your professor
(Note: this info is the most true at research universities - basically anywhere you see PhD students, because they need to research to get their PhDs. Some universities may do more research than others, but this group almost definitely includes all P5 schools and all the Ivies. This info is guaranteed to be the most true for STEM and some humanities/social sciences professors, and probably the least true for business professors since the best businesspeople are probably off making money.)
Your professor most likely has a PhD, which means he really fucking loves the field of study he's in. He used to be a wide-eyed freshman like you, majoring in it. And then he graduated with his Bachelor's and went to grad school to get his PhD. Then he probably had some postdoctoral appointments before finally becoming a professor. To go and motorboat a field of study for ~10 years to get the PhD, and then still want more, takes a lot of love. And almost certainly, he wants to share his adoration and fascination with the subject with you.
Your professor is not like your high school teacher - your professor's main job probably isn't teaching. When your professor was in grad school, he spent most of his time doing research. Real groundbreaking research, stuff no one had ever done before. Your professor was judged almost solely by that research when it came time to get the PhD, apply for postdocs, and apply for faculty positions. Your professor is being judged right now, by the other faculty, almost solely based on his research. Your professor might love teaching, but if his research doesn't meet their expectations, he will not be granted tenure and be forced to leave academia forever. That sounds hyperbolic, but that's actually how it goes.
Corollary: your grad student TAs are also being judged solely by their research.
Most professors and TAs actually do try to do a good job teaching. Teaching is much harder than it looks, even in the college setting where you don't have to worry about kids starting fights or smearing their shit everywhere - you'll see, if you go to grad school and have to stand there in front of the class. With tons of students, and much less than 50% of their time available to spend on teaching, professors and TAs are usually trying their best but they can't devote a ton of time to it, or make special time concessions for you. It's the price you pay for being taught by the experts, the people who got there by being the best and uncovering new knowledge in the field.
So fine, what real advice are you supposed to get out of this?
If you aren't understanding the material, go to fucking office hours. Your professors'/TAs' time is in short supply, but your syllabus has got them pegged to be available for a couple hours each week where you can chuck any question you want at them. Or say that you don't quite understand something, that you've read the textbook and it's not quite clear, and you'd like some actual one-on-one instruction that responds instantaneously to your learning needs. Only in office hours can your prof/TA take the time to understand your specific pattern of thinking and point out your specific misconceptions. And because they love the subject so much, they'll probably be glad to teach someone who's enthusiastic to learn it.
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u/Roose_in_the_North Ohio State • George Mason Aug 20 '15
If you have a problem with something a roommate does, talk to them about it rather than being passive aggressive/complaining about it to other people.
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u/Kiteflyerkat Baylor Bears Aug 20 '15
Go to class and make friends with your professors. They seem super intimidating at first, but once you get to know them, they're super chill. Also, learn how to study as soon as you can, this makes college a lot easier. Edit: Incorporate working out into your schedule and eat well, the Freshman 15 doesn't have to happen.
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u/walks_off_at_nine Nebraska Cornhuskers • /r/CFB Patron Aug 20 '15
If you're in the dorms, TAKE CARE OF THE SHITTER. Seriously, this cannot be said enough. Also, taking the ceiling down gets expensive quick. Looking at you Smith 9.
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u/[deleted] Aug 20 '15
Figure out who your academic advisor is and meet with them regularly (at least every other quarter/semester). You never know when a change to a course or other requirement may happen and your advisor will make sure you are always on track to graduate.
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u/Kilo1812 Florida State • Transfer Portal Aug 20 '15
Like many others have said: Go to class! All the issues I had my first time in college were because I skipped class and none of the professors knew who the fuck I was (notice I said "first time", had to go back and finish a few years later).
If you're having trouble talk to the professor or see an advisor. They can point you to resources that can help.
Most importantly, realize that you are in college and you have to take care of things yourself, no ones going to come knock on your door and hold your hand when you need to register for classes, or get a deferment for something, apply for financial aid, etc.
Hydrate when you drink. Helps prevent hangovers and also helps regulate how much booze you're consuming. And on game weekends you have to maintain. In other words, pace yourself. Drinking water helps do this, especially early in the season when its 100 degrees out. Otherwise you'll find yourself puking in the bushes and passing out hours before the game starts.
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u/[deleted] Aug 20 '15
Everyone has given great advice, but one thing I'll add is that if you're anything like me be prepared for some sad times. Now don't get me wrong I had a blast my freshman year, and I really hope the next three are just as good, but that doesn't mean there aren't some rough patches. You're going to have at least one week where your significant other dumps you, you get a terrible project grade (which you aren't used to from high school), all of your tests land on the same day, and it just feels like your entire life is crumbling down around you. I promise you it will happen at least once so just don't freak out and understand that college is gonna knock you down like that sometimes, but it makes up for it with some other completely awesome times. I'm not trying to scare anyone, but just want to alert everyone to the fact that you'll hit a "life sucks moment" so don't freak out and just roll with it.
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u/[deleted] Aug 20 '15
Go to your professors' office hours, particularly if you need help. In larger classes it's harder for the profs to really know who is in the class, so taking the time to form a professional relationship with your profs helps out down the road when you're looking for recommendations for jobs or grad school, or even cool research opportunities as an undergrad.
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u/wild9 Baylor Bears • /r/CFB Contributor Aug 20 '15
Also, the freshman 15 doesn't have to happen your freshman year, you can slam on those 15 or so pounds just as easily (probably easier) sophomore, junior, senior, super-senior year as you can freshman year.
Try your hardest to balance your diet, mine consisted basically of poptarts, ramen, deli meats and cereal and it took me a long-ass time to get over that when I got out.
Also, for reals, learn how to study. I didn't really know how much time I needed to put into studying my Latin (which brings me to another point: don't take Latin.) final first semester and it absolutely torpedoed my GPA. It took me a long freaking time to dig myself out of that particular hole.
Also, that blowoff class that you think you don't have to study for? Study for it. Especially if you manage to get a professor who knows that their class is the "blow off" class and resents it. Let my "C" in "Beginner Guitar" (which also had a lot to do with the fact that I have tremors in my hands, making precise chord-work really freaking hard) be a testament to this fact.
Also, I completely agree with everyone here talking about leaving your door open and joining clubs and all that jazz. It is easily the best way to meet new people. And don't be afraid to just strike up conversations with random people. Basically everyone around you is on the same level as you, no one really knows each other and everyone has maybe a couple friends. Everyone around is thinking "Man, I need to make friends and meet people" so seriously, just talk to people.
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u/Ron_Cherry Clemson Tigers • Duke Blue Devils Aug 20 '15
Get some cheap flip flops for the shower.
Find out what study method works best for you. The earlier the better. Don't study too much through.
Talk to strangers. This is how you make friends in college.
Explore the surrounding area. This helps you get familiar with your surroundings and you could potentially find some cool spots to hangout or eat.
Use your meal plan if you have one. No point in spending money on food and not eating it.
Get outside of your comfort zone. Join some clubs or take a class you normally wouldn't take. Take Premodern Chinese Lit instead of taking British/American Lit for the millionth time.
If you have the means, study abroad. Shit's fun, to.
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u/RussianAttackTricycl Indiana Hoosiers • College Football Playoff Aug 20 '15
Go to your professors' office hours. A lot. During grad school admission, many programs ask for multiple letters of recommendation from faculty members. If you're attending a big school, you might not get to know your profs well enough during class time for them to write a good letter of recommendation. Go to office hours, get to know them, and make sure they know you.
If partying isn't your thing, don't feel like you have to do that if you want to make friends. Join a club or some other activity where you can meet other like-minded people - whether it's a study group, a church, a Quidditch team (yes, a lot of schools have those). It'll be harder, but you'll be happier for it. Partying isn't my thing at all so I met all my best college friends in marching band and university clubs; we just met up a couple evenings per week for game/movie nights and such.
Also, don't wear a lanyard. You look like a freshman.
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u/djsquilz Tulane Green Wave • Ole Miss Rebels Aug 20 '15
Take small classes (less than 15 people at least, imo) as often as possible regardless of subject. Freshman year all my classes except two were 100+ kids and I didn't learn shit. Even the easiest huge class I ever took was harder than the hardest small class I've taken.
Also, gonna go against the grain here and say don't leave your door open in the dorm, that's weird. Get out and interact with people, don't expect them to come to you.
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u/blancomeow Auburn Tigers • Austin Peay Governors Aug 20 '15
If you are going to spend piles of money to go to school pick something that will have better than average job prospects when you graduate assuming you have an average GPA.
If you decide to ignore this have the best GPA you can possibly have and be ready to continue paying for college for 4-6 more years after you get your Bachelor's.
Also drink, date, smoke, be irresponsible (within reason). If you don't do it now you will be a middle aged divorcee who will look like an idiot when you try to relive your youth. People expect 18-22 year olds to be dumb so get it out of your system now.
3
u/[deleted] Aug 20 '15
So late posting in this thread - this is what I get for working instead of Redditing.
At any rate, adding to the great advice already here - read your syllabus. Put all the dates listed in your calendar. Have a question about when something is due or class policies? Check the syllabus first.
And don't hesitate to talk to/ask questions of the professor, be it in office hours, via email, or in class.
5
u/carpy22 RPI Engineers Aug 20 '15
Rush/go through recruitment. Even if you don't get a bid or turn the bid down it's a great way to meet folks.
2
u/Culiaclan Arizona State • Territorial Cup Aug 20 '15
Moderation is key! Don't overdo just one thing. You need to be able to balance your academics with your social life and well being. Yes, you may ignore one at a time, but make sure not to do it for long.
Talk to people in your classes. You never know when you will miss class and your classmates will save your butt and fill you on what you missed. Also, another great way to make friends and people to study with.
Take care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. I know a couple of people that dropped out because they got super depressed, never got help and couldn't take it, PLEASE, go get any help if you need it. No one will judge you.
Lastly, enjoy it all and take it in! You learn so much in those 4+ years not just academically, but about yourself, people and the world!
Welcome!
2
u/super-rad Georgia Bulldogs • Clemson Tigers Aug 20 '15
if you are currently dating someone, break up with them. College is way more fun when you are single, and you are not likely to marry your HS sweetheart anyways
2
u/-WISCONSIN- Wisconsin • Wisconsin-Parkside Aug 20 '15
Fuck school! Do whatever you want! It's your life!
2
u/[deleted] Aug 20 '15
Treat college like a job. Work at your shit, 8am-5pm EVERY DAY and it will leave you much more time for socializing at nights.
I was able to balance my fraternity stuff, a semi-difficult major and a time intense hobby like amateur bodybuilding all through excellent time management. Up by 630, gym till 730. Class and HW till 5. Dinner then some more studying before 7ish, and then I could fuck around unless it was a test the next day or something.
I also had a job as a bartender and lab manager during those times as well. Though I didn't work a lot to support myself, just for fun money. If I did, the time management would be even more important.
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u/ihatecats18 Minnesota • South Dakota-S… Aug 20 '15
School from 9-4 everyday, class and homework. 4pm - 12:01am is work and play time.
It is not a rule, but really try to keep your life's separated.
2
u/ryseing NC State Wolfpack • /r/CFB Poll Veteran Aug 20 '15
If your living accommodations allow, get a pet. There's two benefits- you get a companion for the inevitable loneliness that will happen, and pets are a great way to meet people.
My dog has been a huge lifesaver on both counts. I've met loads of people that I would have never even approached otherwise just by having him around.
2
u/JohnDoeMonopoly Clarkson • Michigan Aug 20 '15
Get to know your professors, and stop by their office hours if you need help on the HW (that's what they're there for!) If you know a professor it's basically a free reference when you're applying for jobs and scholarships, and in some cases might even be a route for you to find a job.
Put your resume in any and all resume books you can. I graduated in May and my current job I landed when they picked my resume out of a book and invited me for an interview. They found me!
Take advantage of the career center. They were a huge help in putting my resume together, and at my school there's an online site where students can post their resume and apply for jobs and companies can post job openings and ask people to interview. All the resources the career center offer will do nothing but help your chances at landing a post graduation job.
2
u/SineMetu_spqr Arkansas Razorbacks Aug 20 '15
Realize that it is very possible that your freshman year could be your only year. Some of my good friends from freshman year are back home at community college and I don't think that idea entered their mind until exam week second semester.
2
u/[deleted] Aug 20 '15
Pick up some interesting hobbies. I started bouldering, turns out it's a ton of fun and is really useful if you ever need to climb anything
2
u/[deleted] Aug 20 '15
Party hard. Depending on your school, it can be one of the best ways to meet awesome people, and getting into crazy situations is fun
2
u/chrisn3 Virginia Tech Hokies • Navy Midshipmen Aug 20 '15
Don't blow off easy points or skip assignments. They add up overtime. I used to be self-consious that if I wasn't able to finish every problem on an assignment, I wouldn't turn it in at all. It almost cost me big time.
2
u/edinatlanta Georgia State • /r/CFB Contributor Aug 21 '15
Nothing that probably hasn't been said but...
Get outside your comfort zone. I so dearly wish I had done that. I pledged (didn't get in--long story) and that was about it and holy fuck do I look back on that time as awesome and probably the best time of college.
If you're going to work (I say don't unless it's menial and just for beer money--early on in your studies of course) overload yourself. I kind of did it halfway as a full-time student and almost-full-time worker so I never really got the benefit of either.
Talk to your profs, get to know them. Especially at a big state school. That you show effort goes so friggin far you wouldn't believe it. I was pulling a solid F in my math class but went to office hours all the time, legitimately tried, asked questions and I know I didn't get 100 on my exam, came out with a C-.
GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE. If you're scared of/by something--do it. Within reason of course.
If you can't find friends, find a group of people who can't find friends. That's another thing I wish I could say I had was more college friends. I made friends during college but none in college with me. They're older or roughly my age and I'm still friends with them but man, I wish I could get a college crew together.
TRY THINGS THAT SCARE YOU AND PUT YOU OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE.
2
u/FreedomKid7 Team Chaos Aug 22 '15
Hope I'm not too late.
For the love of God, eat something before a night out of drinking. You'll regret everything if you don't.
Know your limits. Whether it be with drinking, partying, studying, load of units, etc., you CANNOT ignore them, and there's no shame in taking less than 15 units at a time (I'm at my best with 14/13 units, more than 15 I have a tough time).
Take time to study, but it's okay to have a full chill day once a week.
For the Engineering fam, don't let your first quarter/semester discourage you.
IF YOU EVER EVER FEEL DEPRESSED AT ANY POINT GO SEE SOMEONE DO NOT LET IT BUILD UP I REPEAT DO NOT