Advice... - Page 2

ziasha07 · #1 04-10-2007, 12:32 AM

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 · #2 04-10-2007, 01:07 AM

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 · #3 04-10-2007, 01:13 AM

Quote:

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 · #4 04-10-2007, 01:23 AM

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.

cheerfulgreek · #5 04-10-2007, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

I agree with AKA Monet. Make sure you end up with a good roomie. A bad dorm roomie can make your freshman year a bad one.

ziasha07 · #6 04-13-2007, 05:22 PM

Another question, (however superficial it may be) is clothing. Did you buy a new wardrobe? If so, what kind of clothing did you get? If not, how did you decide what to take with you and what to leave home? Also is there anything that you would say one should refrain from wearing around campus/in the dorms?

NinjaPoodle · #7 04-13-2007, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ziasha07

Another question, (however superficial it may be) is clothing. Did you buy a new wardrobe? If so, what kind of clothing did you get? If not, how did you decide what to take with you and what to leave home? Also is there anything that you would say one should refrain from wearing around campus/in the dorms?

Your best bet is to research and find out what the local weather is like year-round. That will give a better idea of what to bring. Also, remember that most dorms are small so you will have to limit how much you bring. This is why you should visit the campus 1st.

WVU alpha phi · #8 04-13-2007, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NinjaPoodle

Your best bet is to research and find out what the local weather is like year-round. That will give a better idea of what to bring. Also, remember that most dorms are small so you will have to limit how much you bring. This is why you should visit the campus 1st.

Agreed. I think most people's tastes probably mature when they get to college. It's definitely easy to pick out who the freshmen are around campus. A tip I have for clothes: if you're living in dorms, people will most likely borrow them. If you're OK with that, I STRONGLY SUGGEST writing down who borrowed what on a post-it or something like that. I lost a ton of clothes last year living in the sorority house and you don't even realize it until you go to wear something and can't find it.

1908Revelations · #9 04-13-2007, 07:22 PM

I agree with visiting the campus because you will see how much space you have. As for the borrowing of clothes....that didn't happen much for me or my friends. My room mate and I had a understanding, so if we wanted something we asked each other. But as for other things.....I have CD's that I know I didn't buy and some CD that I have not seen since freshman year. My school was only 2 hours away from my hometown. So, if your intended univ is in a few hours driving distance (like 6 or 7) then you will be able to leave your winter clothes at home instead of many of my friends had to have their parents ship them stuff or they brought EVERYTHING when they first moved in.

ziasha07 · #10 04-13-2007, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WVU alpha phi

It's definitely easy to pick out who the freshmen are around campus. ...If you're OK with that, I STRONGLY SUGGEST writing down who borrowed what on a post-it or something like that. I lost a ton of clothes last year living in the sorority house and you don't even realize it until you go to wear something and can't find it.

1. How can you tell the freshmen?

2. Thanks for the post-it note tip! I wouldn't even think to do that...

1908Revelations · #11 04-14-2007, 12:14 AM

In my experience freshmen are the most overdressed the first few weeks of class. That's not to say they look like bumbs second semester, but the first few days is indeed a fashion show. There are a few other tells, but I can't think of them right now.

But at my previous school (HBCU) most days were fashion show worthy....espically 12 noon (aka Power Hour) on the yard....you will see

WVU alpha phi · #12 04-16-2007, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ziasha07

1. How can you tell the freshmen?

They look so young! I'm only a senior but some of these kids just look like babies to me.

Also, for some reason, the freshmen wear tennis shoes to class, as opposed to what everyone else does: UGGs in the winter, flipflops during fall & spring. I don't think I've worn tennis shoes to class since high school.