"Wait, what?!"
Yep. You heard me right, it is the last friday of July. Which means school will be starting back up in August! Wahoo!! I know some of you are just /sooo/ excited for school to start again :/
Others I know are absolutely excited, I myself am one of those people, for school to start again! Only 25 more days until I am back at Slippery Rock University with all my 4th floor family again :) Until then, I am just spending this summer with my friends and trying to save up some money before college takes it all away haha.
For some of you, this past year was your last year in High School and now you are heading into your Freshman year at College! Some of you I know just cant wait to get out of the little towns you come from! Other, I know, are a bit cautious about College and dont know what to expect. Well, Im here to help settle any college rumours you heard and give you the 4-1-1 on how to succesfully survive your first year at college!
To start off, let's clear up some of those pesky college rumours you've probably heard of.
1.) I'm a Freshman, so that means Freshmeat.
Okay ladies (and guys) no need to sweat it here. No one picks on the freshman at college. Most of the older kids are nice and treat the freshman with respect because they were in your shoes once. Now I cant account for some hazing if you pledge a fraternity or sorority, but they are not that bad haha. Only a few are those extreme crazy frats but you'll be fine :) But really guys, everyone is usually very nice to the freshman.
2.) I hear the classes are really hard and you have to study all the time!
Alright this one is only true depending on which professors you have. Like High school, it all depends on the teacher and how rigorious they make the class. Now for my freshman year, I had a bunch of really easy teachers and they were very caring and kind to all the students. If you are worried, go to ratemyprofessors.com. Its a free site that allows you to read reviews about your professors. Sometimes though, those reviews are wrong. I got a professor with a really bad score, but he turned out to be a great teacher who helped raise my GPA :)
And if it turns out you get a professor that gives you tons of work, you will have plenty of time to do it during your breaks in between classes and still have time to hang out with your friends! So dont sweat it! You will have plenty of time to have the college experience of your life!
3.) I am worried I will have a terrible roommate and we wont get along.
Fear not reader! There are plenty of ways to deal with a troublesome roommate, but most likely, you wont have to worry about that. It seems more and more colleges these days are having the upcoming freshman fill out a survey about how they live. Like 'What time do you go to bed?" 'Are you a smoker?" etc. Then using the survey, the college will match you with a roommate compatible with your answers. For the most part, they get it right!
For others, well not so much. But dont worry! Most colleges offer a roommate exchange after 2-4 weeks into college to give people with bad roommates, the opportunity to switch to another room; so there is always that.
If you do happen to be stuck with a bad roommate, fear not! Here are some ways you will be able to get through the year.
1.) Hang out with your friends alot. The more you are out of your room, the more time you have away from your roommate.
2.) Your roommate could be busy with their friends or clubs and what not so they will be out of the room a lot.
3.) Observe your roommate. Perhaps there are some things you two can get along on. Any topics or ideas you two share will make the tension go away
4.) Communicate with them. Make small talk, such as how was classes or the weather. Odds are, the things youve experienced about college so far, they will have too. Youll most likely have some of the same classes so talking about that can help.
5.) Go home. For some of you, its not an option due to distance or you dont have a car. However, go home on the weekends and give yourself a break. You probably deserve it
4.) My neighbors will be loud, obnoxious, sex-maniacs.
My 4th floor neighbors
Now sometimes your neighbors will bring home "special friends" and they will make some noise that is unpleasent to hear. Dont worry, it is just as akward for them as it is for you. Now if your neighbor is a friend, I usually just let them have their night cause as a friend, you wouldnt want to spoil their evening. Even if it annoys you. Thats when I just put on my iPod and fall asleep to Owl City.
However, if you and your neighbor do not get along you can:
1.) Blast some Gospel music. Trust me, no one gets off to hearing that cause it reminds them about what they are doing.
2.) Knock on their door, ask if you can join in, and then just run away before they answer the door. :P
3.) Run down the hall and announce your neighbor is having sex and say "Come hear a freak show 25 cents"
Your neighbor will probably hate you, but hopefully they will get the message.
5.) I wont make any friends at college.
Yes you will! It is almost impossible to not to make friends at college. All you have to do is speak up! Lets face it, all of the people in your classes are probably freshman and are nervous and shy like you. All you need to do is say "Hello" intoriduce youself and get the ball rolling. Ask them questions and they will talk back. Trust me. It works! If you dont know what to ask, here are some questions you can use.
1.) Where are you from?
2.) What's your major?
3.) How did you find out about (Insert College Name) and why did you come
4.) What music do you like?
5.) How do you like college so far
Question like these are big enough so the person you are asking wont feel like you are digging into their private enough and are great cause you can answer them too once the other person answers them.
Another great way to make friends is to join a Club or Organization they offer on campus. I cant tell you how many friends I made joining the clubs I did! Below is a picture of myself with the members of the American Sign Language Club!
So really! There is not a way you cant make friend at college! You will find some amazing people at college and will make a TON of friends. Believe me! I was skeptical too but it is absolutely true!
If there are not any clubs you want to join, then become friends with your neighbors on your floor! I did and we are as close as a family. We go to dinner together, play games, watch movies, and everything!
6.) People drink a lot and the parties are crazy!!
Well this one is half-true, but it is not as bad as you think! While some college students love to drink, they only do it on weekends and off campus so you dont have to worry about the noise. If you do go to a party. there can be pretty hectic! Which is why I recommend going in a group. That way, you always have people to fall back on. Also, be sure to have a plan if something goes a miss and have someone who will be able to pick you up if you need to get back to your room in a hurry. So have fun!
Now that we cleared out some of those nasty rumours, here are a couple Do's and Dont's for college.
Do:
-Get a Laptop over a desktop. Laptops are light, easy to manage, can travel, small, and if the power goes out, they still work. Laptops may be a bit more costly, but turst me, it will be worth the cost.
-If the room does not provide one, get a mircowave. When you go to college, you will find out just how useful a microwave can be. I suggest you getting The Pasta Boat. If you havent heard of it, it is a way to cook spighetti using the microwave. I can tell you from personal use, it works. I find it nice to have if you dont feel like going to the Dining Hall to eat, or if you are really busy.
-Get Sticky Notes. Those things will save your butt. I like to keep some in my drawer on the top shelf because if you are like me and forget things easily, just reaching for one and writing down a thought is a great way to stay ahead in college.
-Get to know the people around you. Not only your roommate, but your nieghbors, and your CA or RA. Itll come in handy if you ever need help.
-Get familiar with all the buildings on Campus, especially the Library. Odds are, you will stay at your college for 4 years and you will probably have a class in all the buildings. If not for class, chances are you will most likely have to go into all the buildings during your four year stay so its good to know where they are. The Library will be you "to-go" place for quiet study and all your resources for your classes so get to know it.
-Do remember to write or call home. As much as we dont like to think about it, our parents miss us and just want to hear that we're safe.
-Do know how to do your own laundry. If you cant go home every weekend, you better learn how to do your laundry! Dont forget the quaters for the machines, detergent, and softner! Ask your Mom or Dad, Im sure they would love to teach you.
-Do bring a first aid kit and/or illness basket. You never know when you will need a bandage or something. And odds are, you might get a cold at college so fill your illness basket with cough drops, Nyquil, and other cold remedes.
Dont:
-Dont keep to yourself. College is a great way for you to open up and discover who you are: as well as make life long friends. Socialize and put yourself out there!
-Dont feel the need to get a Macbook Pro or Notebook. Odds are, you wont actually be needing it for class. Lots of professors give out powerpoints or just give you the notes. But if you like to type your notes, simply bring your laptop. You dont need to spend extra money if you dont need to. Trust me, buying books will do that for you!
-Dont overpack! I know you may want to pack alot, especially if you are going far away and wont be able to go home for stuff, but those rooms are not that big. If you ever need something, simply have your parents mail it to you.
-Dont always buy your books from the bookstore or ahead of time. If you are looking for a way to save some money, go online and buy the books you need. They will be much cheaper than the bookstores. Also, talk to people who have had the classes you are about to take and ask them if they needed the book. If so, then get it online or see if they still have it and buy off them. If not, boom, money saved haha
-Dont forget to HAVE FUN!!! College is an exciting time in your life and maybe even the best years youll ever have! Go out and just have a ball! These are your years so take them and have a blast!!
I hope this guide helped with any questions or concerns you had about college. If you want to know anything else, or if you need advice with anything at all send me an email at :toucan1234567891@aim.com
Thanks for reading everyone!!
Advice to Live Well: "Spend a day with your grandparents! They will enjoy your company and will have many delightful stories to tell. Plus, I hear grandma makes some pretty good cookies :)"
-Joey S.
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