Advice...

[ziasha07]

What are some general tips you have to offer to people going into their first year of college?

or even

What are some things that you've learned the hard way or wished someone would have told you before you went to college?

Please and thank you.

[1908Revelations]

Don't believe the hype.....ramen noodles suck!!!

But seriously.....quality points!!!! Be aware of them!!!

[AlphaFrog]

http://greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=68924

[CrimsonTide4]

Originally Posted by 1908Revelations

Don't believe the hype.....ramen noodles suck!!!

Amen!!!!

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...light=freshman

[ΑΓΔSquirrel10]

~Visit your professor's office a lot. It really helps you stay on top of your work.
~Use post-it notes on your walls around your desk...helps you remember upcoming assignments
~I use a dry-erase calendar to write down meetings and stuff
~Exercise regularly!!! Freshman 15 is an evil, evil thing! I would give anything to have my high school body back
~The food is awful

[texas*princess]

Originally Posted by ΑΓΔSquirrel10

~Visit your professor's office a lot. It really helps you stay on top of your work.
~Use post-it notes on your walls around your desk...helps you remember upcoming assignments
~I use a dry-erase calendar to write down meetings and stuff
~Exercise regularly!!! Freshman 15 is an evil, evil thing! I would give anything to have my high school body back
~The food is awful

* I would like to add - use your dry erase calendar to also write down assigment due dates, test days etc. I personally used a Day Planner to put all this info down, but it's the same concept.

It helps you visually see what is due when, your tests, etc. I made it standard practice to go through my syllabi at the beginning of each semester and plant all that info as soon as I could. My profs were nice enough to let us know at the beginning of each semester what the assignments would be and when they would be due. I don't know if it's like this everywhere.

I liked that I could plan out when my study times would be when mid-terms and finals came around if I could see when all my tests landed.

* READ THE CHAPTER BEFORE YOU GO TO CLASS!!!!!!!!!! My mom told me to do this. Not everyone does this, and I honestly didn't do it consistently my first 2.5 yrs, but my classes were SO MUCH EASIER when I went to class already knowing what we would be discussing. If I had any questions about the chapter, I would make note of them and if they weren't answered during lecture, I would ask during or after class.

[aephi alum]

- Go to class, go to class, go to class. Did I mention go to class?
- Line up a good study group. I did best in the classes where I had a regular study group.
- Get a day planner (electronic or paper, whatever is easiest for you) and USE IT.
- Exercise, even if it's just a daily walk or bike ride.
- Learn to cook. Even if you only learn some basic recipes, like pasta or stir-fry, it's a hell of a lot better and healthier than cafeteria food.
- Bring an item or three from home. Just because you're going to college doesn't mean you have to discard your entire childhood. Bring a few photos, a favorite doll or toy, etc.

[ziasha07]

Thank you for all the advice and the links! Keep them coming if you wish...
Two things I'd hope a few people can expound on:

1. There wasn't alot of things pertaining to roomates that I saw other than "Don't room with best friends" and "Lock your stuff up, you can't trust everyone" Any roomate specific tips or stories?

2. I'm Black (sorry to be so blatant) and prior to this I've only attended predominately white schools. On top of that I've been told that (not that there's anyway to "act" a certain race) I "act" like a white girl. Well due to my major, location, and well the band, I've chosen to apply to and plan to attend an HBCU. Is there anything I should know, stories, or tips? I already know that I may have a bit of a culture shock I have black friends, (how racist does that sound!? I'm not!) but still. I also know that I probably need to man up some... But anyway, advice?

[ΑΓΔSquirrel10]

The whole roommates deal: One of my really good friends roomed with her best friend her freshman year, and it got really ugly. They didn't start speaking again until the second semester of their sophomore year! So don't room with your best friend. This year, I roomed with a girl who I didn't really know, but we get along great! We're even rooming together again next year. So it's best to pick someone who you think you can get along well enough to live with, but make sure you somewhat know that person!

Good luck on your freshman year! It's a lot of fun, and I hope you enjoy every minute of it!

[NinjaPoodle]

Originally Posted by ziasha07

Thank you for all the advice and the links! Keep them coming if you wish...
Two things I'd hope a few people can expound on:

1. There wasn't alot of things pertaining to roomates that I saw other than "Don't room with best friends" and "Lock your stuff up, you can't trust everyone" Any roomate specific tips or stories?

2. I'm Black (sorry to be so blatant) and prior to this I've only attended
predominately white schools. On top of that I've been told that (not that there's anyway to "act" a certain race) I "act" like a white girl. Well due to my major, location, and well the band, I've chosen to apply to and plan to attend an HBCU. Is there anything I should know, stories, or tips? I already know that I may have a bit of a culture shock I have black friends, (how racist does that sound!? I'm not!) but still. I also know that I probably need to man up some... But anyway, advice?

Advice? Be yourself. Seriously. It can go a Long way. HBCU...hmmm Since I did attend Grambling for a year I think I qualify for this one

Please, visit the school prior to attending. Are you sure you want to go there after you see it.
Be prepared for slow administration/admissions.
Go to class.
Unless you are required to live on campus, move off campus after your first year. Trust me on that one.
Please, don't pledge the chess club.
Have fun but dont forget to study.

ETAI was like you in that when I transfered to GSU from San Francisco, I had culture shock too. It took me a while to adjust to not being "the only one" in my class. Once I was used to it, it was great because people saw me for me and not "oh the black girl".


If I remember correctly, a lot of HBCU's wont let you join greek orgs until you have 30 residential units and you are a sophmore. Dont sweat it. Get your GRADES together your first year. That's what really important.

[1908Revelations]

I think the reasoning behing the 'don't room with frriends' thing is: you already know them quite well and they you, the comfort level is there, but as a room mate you would probably prefer a little more privacy. If the person is already your friend they may be 'too comfortable' with you. I roomed with the assignment I was given freshman year and it was good after we worked out the kinks.

My room mate and I were very different and her friends were a bit much for me to deal with. We became close and even took a road trip. She used to piss me off because she would drink my apple juice and that was something I didn't want to share. One day to get back at her, I locked EVERYTHING in my closet before I went to class (she would use alllll of my post it notes and paper....stuff I knew she had). Well.....I lost my keys and was effed up! It was 3 am and I recruited some people to help mee look for them (it was 20 something degrees). Long story short we got along and we had only met at school.

Lock up your stuff!!
We all hope people won't steal from us, but the fact is people steal! As for your room mate they may not take big stuff from you, but they may want to use things with out your permission.

You will encounter many people with different personalities from everywhere. So, the way you act will probably not be so rare once you get to meet other people. The people will probably not make fun of you for acting a certain way, and if they do it will likely be in a jovial manner that you may appreciate.

I went to an HBCU freshman year.

[NinjaPoodle]

Originally Posted by 1908Revelations

Don't believe the hype.....ramen noodles suck!!!

so true, so true

[1908Revelations]

Before I went off to school I listened to the advice of everyone and bought Ramen Noodles , they told me the noodles were a staple. I microwaved a pack.....the smell was bad enough, but my dumb ass had to taste them......barf!! I gave them away, but not to my room mate b/c I didn't want to smell that crap.

Now our soon to be college student a staple is Ragu Express!!! Yummy!

[NinjaPoodle]

Originally Posted by 1908Revelations

Before I went off to school I listend to the advice of everyone and bought Ramen Noodles , they told me the noodles were a staple. I microwaved a pack.....the smell was bad enough, but my dumb ass had to taste them......barf!! I gave them away, but not to my room mate b/c I didn't want to smell that crap.

Now our soon to be college student a staple is Ragu Express!!! Yummy!

LOL. The best way I could eat the ramen noodles was to cook them, dump the water, open a jar of spaghetti sauce and pour it on. Cheap and quick.
Since we could get the noodles @ 10 for a buck, it was on!

[ziasha07]

Originally Posted by 1908Revelations

Before I went off to school I listend to the advice of everyone and bought Ramen Noodles , they told me the noodles were a staple. I microwaved a pack.....the smell was bad enough, but my dumb ass had to taste them......barf!! I gave them away, but not to my room mate b/c I didn't want to smell that crap.

Now our soon to be college student a staple is Ragu Express!!! Yummy!

This Noodles thing, I eat them just cause sometimes, the Chicken flavor is tight, but you're right, the rest smell (and taste) HELLA weird. If you give me 2 cans of Tuna (3 for $1) and some mayo I'm good! Hopefully I'll be fine on that front. Plus I believe my college requires at least a 14 meal per week plan for freshmen. I think the food is ok. I'll see soon when I visit the campus later this month and hit up one of the Dining Halls.

Ragu Express? What's that?