Your Freshman Year in College

[SummerChild]

It was a beautiful thing! I was wild and free. I clubbed Wed-Sunday every week (I was at FAM so we kicked it off right on Wednesdays at the Moon); chilled on the Set some Friday afternoons; played spades all night long with friends, scrambled to get my homework done and still got a 3.88 somehow (luck b/c i'm sure not that smart now). lol

sc

Originally posted by DirectorDST99
For those of you who can think back that far... ...please share with me how your freshman year of college went for you. Could it have been better? What could have been done by the faculty and/or staff that would have made it better? Did you have a good support system? Or was your freshman year trouble and hassle free?

------------------
Director #2
LMAC
Spr 99

[STL_Lady]

My freshman year of college was ok I guess. I had finally gotten rid of my high school boyfriend, he was such a cheater. I got a brand new boyfriend, he was so fine. I think I could have done so much better academically than what I did. I had a 3.5, but now I think about it, there is no reason why I shouldn't have gotten a 4.0, those classes were so easy. I had a lot of fun my freshman year. There are things I did my freshman year that I look back on and I think, "boy was I dumb" but it was all a learning process.

[LB1914]

I had fun and met a lot of people Freshman year, but it wasn't great overall.

After getting over the initial culture shock, I then had to deal with incompetent personnel as well as rude professors and campus workers. I was taken aback that people felt that they could talk to any kind of way simply because you were a student. I had to remind several people that I left my mother back in California.

I also had to get used to some freedom being taken away. I didn't have a curfew at home, but the school had their own little rules in place. We didn't have a set curfew, but there was a time where they didn't want you hanging outside of the dorm. We also had room inspections and things of that nature.

I thought about transferring several times when I was a Freshman. However, I am glad that I didn't because I made some very good friends and met a lot of interesting people that I otherwise would not have encountered.

[The Truth]

My freshman year was alright. The first semester I spent talking to my Mama about how much I hated DC. I hated the following: food, public transportation, the locals, the availiabilty of parking, weather, sky, clubs, music, h*** everything. BUT I loveeeeeeed Howard!!!!!!

Once I got over the shock of no longer being in the best place on earth. I just dealt with it. I knew why I came and that was bigger than my desire to get the h*** out of dodge. During my second semester, I devised a plan for my early graduation. I followed through and got the h*** up out there.

I never found anything, outside of my school, that I was remotely interested in. If I had went to visit DC before my freshman year, I would not have went. HE works in mysterious ways and knew what he was doing. All the while I just whined and flew home to Texas as much as possible.

Now I work in Texas and vow to never leave again!

[mccoyred]

Originally posted by Rachel0497
interested_cinna,
I attended Goucher College-nice place, had a few good times and a few good friends, but not the best school for black students...

------------------
Sassy, Classy, but never Trashy-The Ladies of Z Phi B!

My initiating chapter includes Goucher College and I also know sorors on the faculty. Frankly, those who I know attended there had to venture off campus and make the most of their experiences, like joining a sorority.

[honeychile]

Please forgive me for crashing, but since DirectorDST99 seems to be in a position of authority, I wanted to share something. My academic advisor, while a lovely man, did not speak sufficient English. My first term, I had three classes back to back, five days a week: Russian, French, and Spanish. Needless to say, I ended up dropping my weakest language (Russian) - too late for the add/drop period, but I found a loophole through a woman who would become a sorority sister. I didn't want to file a complaint against my advisor, so I stumbled through my first two years, leaning more on the advice on my sisters than him - he just rubber-stamped everything. He even managed to submit the wrong majors for me!

I'm fully aware that I should have done something sooner, but as I said, he was a lovely man, and I didn't want to ruin his career. I was very blessed with great sisters who helped me select the right classes for my majors, and guided me through other big decisions.

Socially, I had a great time!

[Diovanka8]

My freshman year, was sort of weird. I was in an "institute" type school. For 18 months, I attended a business school. I didnt know how to do my search for college. Initially I didn't want to go to college. Last minute I chose this school because it was the only college that visited my HS. We were taught that college was too expensive for us to go, so if we wanted to go to college we should just stay local.

When I transfered, I was nervous and I was not an outspoken social type person. I didn't know how the system worked. They assigned a Caucasian girl to assist me with my problems on campus. It bothered me because she was about to pledge and she wasn't nearly concerned with me and my issues. I didn't understand why people flagged, dropped classes. I cried because I failed 3 classes and barely passed the others. This process was going to push my graduation date back. It bothered me and once I got the swing of things, I vowed that I would not allow another female or student to go through the same things that I went through. I am so proud of the organization that we started on campus that would enable African American females to navigate the campus better: academically, financially, everything!!!!


But I wish I would have done the search earlier, had people who encourged me and a better support group. I would have started this college as a freshman, not a transfer student.

[fun4real]

Here are some things I learned/did during my first year of college:

-First alcoholic beverage...California Cooler on the rocks
-How to play faces, hears, and quarters. Learned not to lose in order not to have to drink
-Learned and mastered Bid Whist
-How to make Everclear punch
-First hangover
-What roadtrips were


Hmmm, everything but education..

[christiangirl]

My freshman year of college was mainly a culture shock. I loved the school to death, but meeting so many different types of people who all brought their different cultures with them was a little overwhelming. One thing you'd grown up doing your whole life could be ok for some and offend others. Some people dressed like me, others made fun of my clothes. You really have to just learn that just because something isn't like what you're used to doesn't mean it's weird or wrong (and accept that not everyone has learned that, too).

As far as firsts:
-- I got my first date (which was a test for me and my parents)
-- my first roommates (I'd never shared a room for more than a week before)
--my first "F" (and it wasn't my fault, my grades were switched with another girl's)
--MY FIRST TASTE OF FREEDOM!!! I'll never forget munching on chips just because there was no one to tell me not to eat in my room I can't believe I was really that psyched over some Ruffles..

[StarFish106]

Ahhh fall 1989! I loved my freshman year @ Morgan! (and the other 3.5 after it). I didn't loose my mind and act a fool (just learned the fine art of coming in at 5 am with no complaints). I was sick my 2nd semester so i wasn't around alot from feb-april and folks thought I was: dead, dropped out or pregnant because i barely attended classes. My teachers knew i was sick (had strep i think that i got from my bf) and I was there for my tests so they didn't hassle me too much. I had a 3.85 that semester and made honor roll for the year. I had a wonderful Biology teacher that has unfortuately passed from prostrate cancer (Dr, Jerkins). I really enjoyed my freshman year.I was pretty independent before I came so I could take care of myself but I did learn:

How to NOT become a Wisconson sleeper
How to play spades, tell a guy no and still be friends
How to jip the washer and dryer for extra minutes
What NOT to eat in the refectory (cafeteria)
That the Black man was a beautiful thing (went to an all girls hs)


Wouldn't trade it for all the money in the world.

[dsteazye74]

I'm a proud graduate of Alabama State University.
My freshman year in college was cool. However, the staff sucks at most HBCUs. My Academic Advisor was on point, she showed me the right direction 2 take in school and I appreciate her for dat. Good well done Mrs. Turner.

I must say it is difficult attending an HBCU and trying 2 balance ur class load with a party going on everyday. Now, I see why it takes peeps 5+ years to finish college.

[MizTigger]

Freshman year was GREAT!!!! i'm now a senior at Jackson State University. We had a whole week with just the freshman on campus. Members of SGA and NPHC helped us move in and planned our activities for the week. We formed our groups and hung out on the plaza all night. Found out that I have the best department on campus (Department of Physics). My advisor was on his stuff and I have unlimited access to the department chair. I found myself joining the choir, honor societies, and SGA. Still representing student government today!!! Found myself going to most of the NPHC events. Freshman year was one to remember. AHHHH

[RhoPsiDST]

Originally Posted by DirectorDST99

For those of you who can think back that far... ...please share with me how your freshman year of college went for you. Could it have been better? What could have been done by the faculty and/or staff that would have made it better? Did you have a good support system? Or was your freshman year trouble and hassle free?

I flunked everything but Physical Ed.. and that's because the teacher was the ladies b-ball coach and she was never there! As you can see, i straight kicked it.. and my grades were the proof