Advice to pnms beginning their College/University experience…

[adpiucf]

Originally posted by christiangirl
I don't know about buying your books before school starts, I never do ... If you buy your books on-campus and they have a legit return policy, then this may not apply to you, but if not, it's what most students at my school do.

Having worked in a college bookstore, I advise any student attending a large public university to buy your books ahead of time-- because if you don't, someone else WILL and when you go to get your books, they're already sold out and and on back-order (even online!) The bookstores anticipate how many students there will be in the class based on the order provided by the professor. This doesn't mean they order the full number of books. If you have to purchase a shrink-wrapped packet, don't open it until your professor confirms that yes, this is the packet I want you to use. Once you open that shrink wrap, you can't return it. This goes for some new books that come in shrink wrap and workbooks.

You can get your full purchase price back during Add/Drop (and depending on the bookstore, possibly up to the Withdrawal Deadline).

Whenever and wherever you can, buy USED. Look for a book with minimal mark-ups. Feel free to write in your textbooks, but know that come book buy-back you'll get more money for a book with minimal mark-ups. Try to sell the book back to the store just before exams begin. Shop around for the best sell-back price-- you will probably get more money for it online than at the official campus boostore or one of the off-campus collegiate bookstores.

You won't be able to sell back a workbook. If you can, you will probably get about 50 cents-$2.00 for it, and those shrink-wrapped professor packets are yours to keep-- can't sell those.

The stores need only to buy back a certain number for their inventory. If you sell yours back earlier before the buy-back rush, you'll get more money for it. Or try to sell it to another student.

[KSUViolet06]

KNOW WHEN IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO REGISTER and do it ASAP. Classes fill up faster than you think. As soon as the schedule bulletin or book is available, START figuring out what to take so you'll be ready come registration time.

*If you go Greek, get to know your older sisters. If they're in the same major as you, chances are they'll be able to give you a 'heads up' on some classes that will be difficult and take serious effort. They also might be a good resource for notes/help.

NEW MEMBERS- You WILL most likely feel a little overwhelmed during your new member period. There will be TONS of fun things to do, new people to meet, and info to learn. TALK to your new member class about it. Talk to your New Member Educators about it. They were you once and will be able to totally understand.

[aggieAXO]

for anyone going to A&M:

GO TO FISH CAMP-you will have the time of your life-and you will meet a lot of new people, I guarantee it.

Always check your professors out ahead of time. You should be able to go to the academic building (I think that is what the bldg is called, the bldg with the big dome) and look the professor up and look at the average grade-if a lot of people failed the class then I would avoid that particular professor. Ask upperclassman in your major about professors they recommend and those that they would avoid-this can help you avoid a horrible semester and a low grade.

Go to the football games -they are a blast!

If Mr. Bill s still there, he tutors in chemistry-he is wonderful!

[KSUViolet06]

*This may sound like a no-brainer, but yes, college is a place to kind of reinvent yourself- BUT DON'T TELL FLAT OUT LIES ABOUT WHO YOU ARE. Don't lie and say your dad is the head of Target Corp. and flies a jet. Be yourself.

*Open your own bank account, if you don't already have one.

*If by chance you don't become Greek, DON'T LET THAT RUIN YOUR COLLEGE YEARS BY DWELLING ON IT ALL THE TIME. Don't think that there's NOTHING FUN TO DO IF YOU AREN'T IN A SORORITY. Even huge Greek schools have THOUSANDS of other student activities. It's okay to be upset for a bit. Rejection hurts. But eventually you HAVE to continue living. You've got 4 years ahead of you!

[ASTalumna06]

1.) Be somebody else. If you weren't happy with who you were in high school, then change it. This is the perfect opportunity to do so. No one knows you. It's like you get to start life all over. And now you're older and more mature. If you were shy, be outgoing. If you were the girl who dressed all in black but you want to try being a bit more "girly", wear a nice shirt and a skirt to class. It's your chance to be different.

2.) Selling back books. It's been said before, but there are usually a good portion of books that the bookstore will not buy back for a significant amount of money. Usually, it's not over half the amount that you originally paid for it. And as a general rule, you'll receive more money for a math or science book (and sometimes language), as opposed to a history or english book. And again, these amounts will drop dramatically if the book is not being used the next semester. And on some campuses, it might be a good idea to post fliers of the books you're selling in academic buildings and dorms. Sell them to students for under the asking price of the bookstore. You'll make more of a profit than if you sold them to the bookstore, and people will obviously be more willing to buy a slightly used book from you for $50, than from the bookstore for $75.

3.) Meet people. My freshman year, I still had a bf from high school who was going crazy because I was now living 600 miles away. He would call ALL the time and would get pissed if I didn't have my cell phone on me. I spent a good portion of my time talking to him, and or despising the girls that were on my dorm floor. Say goodbye to the attached bf and get involved with other activities on campus that will get you out of your dorm room. Meet other people that you may never have talked to. Also, DON'T GO HOME EVERY WEEKEND. You miss out on so much. That is the one reason I was glad I went to a school so far away from home.

3.) Keep track of absences and grades. While you should try not to be absent at all from classes, it does happen. Some professors are more understanding than others when it comes to this. And they will penalize you for missing too many. Keep a list of your classes and how many you've missed. I personally had an Excel spreadsheet with all my classes. For each one, I recorded how many absences I had, and all of my grades for homework, quizzes, and tests. This way you know how you're doing in each class.

4.) Make friends with the computer nerds. Because when something goes wrong with your computer (and it will happen), they're going to be the ones you turn to. And don't be afraid to go to the computer center on campus and ask questions.

[GammaPhi88]

Bumping because this is a good thread.

1) Do NOT take a job in retail unless you are SURE you can handle it. I made that mistake, and though I requested time off for finals week and the week before it way in advance, I still had to argue with my manager about my schedule when I got it. You are best off getting an on campus job where they understand about classes and exams and so on.

2) Better yet, if a professor offers a research job or allows you to do extra work for them, take it. Even if you don't get paid, this is great for networking, recommendations, and experience.

3) Realize that if you decide to room with your best friends from freshman year, come Christmas break of your sophomore year, you guys may not be that close. I grew way closer to people I wasn't close to my freshman year, and that happens. Freshman year is so stressful and crazy at times that while you do make some lasting friendships, you may grow closer to others in later years. And thats okay.

4) Try not to have a boyfriend freshman year at all. Most freshman relationships I've seen have ended, and I've seen many people who come in with serious relationships become fulling wrapped up in their relationship. Its sad to see, because they don't get to experience freshman year as fully as they could. I didn't meet my current boyfriend until I was nearly done with freshman year, and I'm so glad of that, because I was well established with friends and activities on campus before he became a part of my life...he wasn't and isn't my whole life, but he is a very good part of it.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by GammaPhi88

Bumping because this is a good thread.

1) Do NOT take a job in retail unless you are SURE you can handle it. I made that mistake, and though I requested time off for finals week and the week before it way in advance, I still had to argue with my manager about my schedule when I got it. You are best off getting an on campus job where they understand about classes and exams and so on.

Not to mention, call-ins totally suck if your job uses them.

Re the boyfriend, I agree, but in my personal experience I was so naive that if I would have jumped right into the dating different guys thing I don't think I could have handled it. It was nice to have a steady person to help me thru frehsman year. The problem came the next year when I had more confidence and had "outgrown" him and he thought we were getting married.

Just put it this way - college relationships are NOT like hs relationships.

[sceniczip]

Originally Posted by GammaPhi88

4) Try not to have a boyfriend freshman year at all. Most freshman relationships I've seen have ended, and I've seen many people who come in with serious relationships become fulling wrapped up in their relationship. Its sad to see, because they don't get to experience freshman year as fully as they could. I didn't meet my current boyfriend until I was nearly done with freshman year, and I'm so glad of that, because I was well established with friends and activities on campus before he became a part of my life...he wasn't and isn't my whole life, but he is a very good part of it.

I had a boyfriend who went to another school my freshman year and still managed to be involved in other programs, including joining a sorority. I don't feel like I missed out on anything my freshman year and if I had to do it over I would do it exactly the same. However, I also think it depends on the person. I'm now a sophomore and we are still dating and are very serious. I'm also Director of Rituals for my sorority and I show horses competitively as well as maintaining a 3.8 GPA (I got my first B this semester and boy was I pissed! lol), so it is possible to be well rounded and still enjoy a serious relationship, but don't hold onto a boyfriend that wants you to spend all your time with him. My boyfriend and I are both involved in a few different organizations and we know that we can't spend all our time talking or driving to visit each other lol. However, don't listen to anyone who tells you to dump your boyfriend for your freshman year if you really are serious about him. I had different people tell me that including family members and I know I would have really regretted it. Despite popular belief you CAN enjoy freshman year while in a relationship I know a few people who started dating their boyfriend their freshman year (or earlier) and now a few years later they are either still together, engaged, or married. I also know some who did not work, in fact some were complete disasters, so take it on a case by case basis.

Now that I'm done with my marathon lol, my own personal pet peeve: I work at our school library both at circulation and in laptops. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO PRINT YOUR PAPER!!!!!! I can't even begin to tell you how many people come in to print something and the printer is down and their paper is due in like 10 minutes. Don't be nasty to the people who are trying to help you print your paper, yelling does not help.

If you are driving to campus, especially on a mainly commuter campus, leave plenty of time to find a parking space.

Get to know your professors if you can, I find that it's a lot easier to ask a professor that I've talked to before for help rather than one who doesn't know me from any other student. And in addition to that, don't wait until the day before the final to ask for help!

[lauralaylin]

I disagree with the boyfriend thing. Just because some people don't stay together doesn't mean you shouldn't date. That is just silly. Dating is good experience for later relationships that could be more serious, and it is definitely possible that a freshman WILL have a good and serious relationship freshman year.

[KSUViolet06]

It's okay to have a boyfriend freshman year, but DO NOT spend all of your free time talking to him on the phone, texting him, IMing him, driving down to see him (if he is at another school), etc.

While you're sitting in your dorm room waiting on his phone call, all of the other freshmen are out having fun, meeting new people, joining student organizations, and having a life.

So make sure that you're not so wrapped up in your boyfriend that you forget to have fun. You don't want to look back on freshman year and regret it because all you did was spend time with your boyfriend.

[GammaPhi88]

Originally Posted by lauralaylin

I disagree with the boyfriend thing. Just because some people don't stay together doesn't mean you shouldn't date. That is just silly. Dating is good experience for later relationships that could be more serious, and it is definitely possible that a freshman WILL have a good and serious relationship freshman year.

I should have reworded that to say: Don't let you freshman boyfriend (or any boyfriend!) take over your life. College is a very self-oriented time, and you'll need space to let yourself experience and grow. If a relationship is part of that, thats fine, but never let your boyfriend (or girlfriend!) limit your college experience.

And I never said don't date at all! Casual dating is great...I never experienced it before college, and I think (as long as you don't do stupid things while you casually date that give you an unsavory reputation) it is something that everyone should try.

And while I'm on here, I've got two more pieces of advice.

1) When you go to frat parties or house parties, avoid the jungle juice (grain alcohol punch...whatever your student popuation calls it). It tastes like yummy punch, but it will hit you hard, and it will suck. If you want to avoid waking up with your head in the toilet, try to limit yourself on this to one drink at most. And while I'm on the subject, just because mommy and daddy are not there to yell at you for drinking does not mean you can go wild. Be smart about it, not only could you end up spending a night puking your guts up, but if caught you could end up in trouble with the university. Not a great start to your freshman year, right?

2) While I'm not telling you outright not to do it, if you do get a boyfriend as a freshman (or any other time you live in a dorm), be wary of dating someone on your floor. It could work out great, as my sorority sister is still dating her floormate from freshman year...but if something happens or it doesn't end well things could get really really awkward. It happened on my floor freshman year with two next door neighbors. When, after two weeks, it came crashing down (and I do mean crashing)....it just wasn't pretty. We call it floorcest or dormcest, and while I'm not saying DON'T DO IT, I'm going to warn you to proceed with caution.

[LionTamer]

My dad gave me great advice before I left for college. He said "I know you're going to drink, so when you do, stick to beer. Stay away from mixed drinks, because you don't know how strong those guys are going to make them."

I followed his advice, and can't tell you how many nights I ended up carrying home or cleaning up after an inebriated friend who had the "Jungle Juice" or Strawberry Daquiri.

You have a better sense of when you're approaching your limit with beer, and have a better chance to stop before becoming drunk and behaving badly. (I'm assuming everyone will be walking and not driving).

[GammaPhi88]

Originally Posted by GammaPhi88

I should have reworded that to say: Don't let you freshman boyfriend (or any boyfriend!) take over your life. College is a very self-oriented time, and you'll need space to let yourself experience and grow. If a relationship is part of that, thats fine, but never let your boyfriend (or girlfriend!) limit your college experience.

Obviously, scenezip, you didn't read the post where I explained what I meant. And I never said to dump your boyfriend; I warned freshman PNMs not let a serious relationship to stop them from getting involved in college.

[sceniczip]

Originally Posted by GammaPhi88

Obviously, scenezip, you didn't read the post where I explained what I meant. And I never said to dump your boyfriend; I warned freshman PNMs not let a serious relationship to stop them from getting involved in college.

I guess I misunderstood, where you were talking about casual dating I thought you meant that a freshman should not be involved in a serious relationship, my mistake and I apologize.

However, I did not say that you said you should dump your boyfriend, I said that I had people tell me that, as I mentioned it was a couple of family members that said that to me and I thankfully ignored their well-meaning advice. I also had other people say similar things to me so I was just including that as well. Sorry if it seemed like that was directed at something you said.

[GammaPhi88]

Originally Posted by sceniczip

I guess I misunderstood, where you were talking about casual dating I thought you meant that a freshman should not be involved in a serious relationship, my mistake and I apologize.

However, I did not say that you said you should dump your boyfriend, I said that I had people tell me that, as I mentioned it was a couple of family members that said that to me and I thankfully ignored their well-meaning advice. I also had other people say similar things to me so I was just including that as well. Sorry if it seemed like that was directed at something you said.

I'm sorry I misunderstood; its much clearer now, so thank you for explaining. By no means should someone dump a perfectly happy relationship just because they are going off to college...I only would wish that they find a life in college outside of their relationship. (Some people, like me, are incapable of that and need a life first before they fit a relationship into it. Others, like you, are far more well adjusted .

I agree with what you said about getting to know your professor, and I'd like to add to make sure your professor knows you in a good way. You want to be that student that the professor knows because she comes in and asks intelligent questions or tries hard for help when struggling. You don't want to be the student the professor knows because she always comes to the office with an excuse as to why she can't meet a deadline or complaint about a grade.