College Advice

[Gina1201]

The advice that everyone has given you has been great!

Just a few extras to tag on:

1. If you're in class, or studying, and you don't understand something, don't be afraid to ask your professors for help! That's what they are there for.

2. Every college/university has a career center. This place is a blessing in disguise. It can help you find great jobs, I know it helped me.

3. I know it has been said before, but time management is KEY! I know so many freshman who flunked out because they did not know the meaning of this (think of your GPA).

As someone who is about to graduate from college (Class of 2003 ), I wish I knew half of this stuff when I was entering college.

All in All, good luck!

[neicy81]

Essentials......

Shower shoes
money
quarters
at least 2 sets of sheets
more than a few locks for your trunk or closet
laundry detergent
Ramen noodles
condoms
TV
stereo
computer
refridgerator
car

your bargaining ability
your fighting ability (sounds funny but you go to an HBCU, nuff said! and yes I USED TO attend one)


PLEASE lock up all your clothes, CD's and personals like money and purse.Don't trust anyone.I have stories to share if you need them.

ADVICE: Sit and wait for your clothes to wash and dry. You will thank yourself later.

Get involved in the different organizations on campus.

Go to class. If you are struggling in class but have great attendence, teachers will most likely give you a decent grade.

Don't party too much. After a while, they are all the same anyway.

Have a talk with your roommate about the "rules" of the "house".Discuss study times(no music or tv playing), visiting times(male and female), and what's ok to borrow or use.

Be careful who you choose as friends and don't let friends sucker you(turning their car into a full service taxi, etc)

[CrimsonTide4]

Originally posted by neicy81
Essentials......
car

Far be it from me to argue the essentialness of having a car as a college student but for anyone who is off to college in the fall, TRUST ME if you do not already have one, it is not a must have.

I went through 5 years of no car and I really walked my butt off which is what kept me from gaining significant weight in college. TRUST.

I am not sure what the locale of A&T is since I am not yet a North Carolina resident but there will be plenty of folks to become friends with who will have a car.

[Rain Man]

Whoo, it's been 11 years since I've been a freshman, let's see what I can remember:

Well, you know the basics about going to class, professors, and whatnot, here's some practical advice:

Do not be afraid to try something new. Meaning, if there is a student activity, or student group you might like to join, give it a try and see if you like it. I took a course in teaching an 11-week student orientation course and I loved it. It lets folk know that you are versatile and well-rounded.

GET A GOOD POSITIVE NETWORK OF FRIENDS!! I managed to hook up with seven other freshman students and we were like the "Freshman 8", doing everything together. If you are contemplating joining a GLO, this will help you learn basic skills required to be a Greek, such as accountability, bonding, cameradie, and brother/sisterhood.

Stretch that dollar! My first semester in college I made $150 last for 15 weeks.

JUST SAY NO!!! DO NOT, repeat, DO NOT try drugs or even alcohol. You run the risk of being arrested and/or thrown out of school, plus the aftereffects and the company it keeps really isn't worth "being with the in-crowd".

Relationships - can't comment; most of the students weren't worth my time. 'Nuff said.

Keep that GPA up, y'unnerstan'? A high GPA looks good on your record, and lets folk know you are about handlin' business.

If you are living in a dorm, keep a good relationship with your roomate; a good roommate really does make a difference b/t heaven and hell.

Party only when you feel you truly need a study break; for the most part, if you been to one party, you been to 'em all.

I almost forgot, handle your financial aid/registration issues NOW! The more together your financial aid and registration and dorm assignments are now, the less time you will have to spend in long lines at the FAO, the Registrar, and the Resident Services offices trying to straighten the mess out later.

And above all, cherish and enjoy your college years. They truly come once in a lifetime.

RM

[12dn94dst]

Originally posted by Rain Man

I almost forgot, handle your financial aid/registration issues NOW! The more together your financial aid and registration and dorm assignments are now, the less time you will have to spend in long lines at the FAO, the Registrar, and the Resident Services offices trying to straighten the mess out later.

If A & T offers it, PRE-REGISTER FOR CLASSES & PAY FOR THEM IN ADVANCE EACH & EVERY SEMESTER! It will save you the headache & stress of trying to register @ the beginning of the semester standing (oftentimes) outside in the heat/cold. You won't have to worry about classes you need being closed as well.

**REALLY missing SSU right about now**

[Innocence22]

Thanks everyone who replied to my thread...the tips that have been given are very practical and will be of much use to me in August. I've noticed that just about everyone who has replied has stressed the "GPA" and "trust no one" factors. LOL I will take heed to all the advice given. For those of you who haven't replied yet....please do so. And for those who have already replied if you remember anything please post it. Thank you!!!



~Innocence22~

[NOWorNEVER]

Innocence,
I'm going to be right around the corner from you in the Fall at UNCG. What everyone has posted thus far is correct...GPA, getting involved, etc., etc. I know all schools have some amount of drama, but let me stress that you are going to an HBCU and you know how snitches like to cut up I have a friend who just transfered from A&T because she got caught up in all that garbage. Just be yourself and don't call everyone your friend.

Also, I didn't start off at UNCG...I started off at UNC Chapel Hill. I ended up transfering because I fooled around and wasted my parents money for two years, I had (and still have) terrible credit card debt, me and my girls "wild out" (we thought we could make the same grades we did in high school w/ the same effort---we was WRONG), and eventually stress got the best of me. I'm grateful for a fresh new start, but I don't want anyone to go through what I went through. Your professors aren't joking when they say to study 2-3 hours for each hour of class.

If you need someone to talk to in the area, I'll PM you w/ my information. You really don't need a car. Greensboro is the third largest city in NC, so you should be okay. I have a car and I visit A&T often so if you need a ride some place, holla and we'll roll out

[Tanzanite]

Since I just graduates a month ago I still have some pretty fresh ideas

Some one said it earlier but again

NO CREDIT CARDS!! NO CREDIT CARDS!! NO CREDIT CARDS!!

-If you must get one for emergency purposes leave it in the room when going to the mall.
-Especially stay away from the gazillion department store credit cards that 10% opening is not worth the headache
-Since you are at an HBCU as I just graduated from...you do not need a new outfit for every football game
(Your credit is one of the most important assets you can have these days and without it you may not get a job or an apartment when you finally graduate)

Visit your professors during their office hours before you start doing bad in the class...sometimes those visits are the difference between a letter grade

I cannot stress keeping up the GPA when graduation times and you wanna graduate cum, magna, or suma cum laude a class that you did not do so well in your freshman year could keep you away by fractions of a point

Do not wait until the last minute to do an assignment. If a professor tells you that you have a paper or presentation in three weeks do it ahead of time and get it out of the way

Stay active...I held leadership positions in many organizations on campus...it really pays off to get to know people

DO NOT be the hellraiser roommate...when there is conflict try to resolve it in a calm manner you and that person will be sharing that small space for quite a while

Go by the philosophy: When I have you have...if you have food and your roommate is broke don't be afraid to share because you never know when you could be in the same predicament

Save some of that refund check and don't blow it unnecessarily...it is hard to look back after four years and think of all the money that slipped through your hands

Make sure that you are enrolled in classes even if you preregister it is not uncommon for HBCU's to drop you out of the system and you will be in class all semester thinking you are enrolled

Remember college is a microcosm of the world...most of the experiences you have in college are the same ones you will face in the real world personally and professionally

Study!!! Study !!! Study!!! but be well rounded at the same time...you don't have to attend every party and by the time you are a senior you probably won't want to attend any


Make sure that you make friends along the way...it is not uncommmon for you and your best friends from high school to grow apart

I didn't have a car while in college either and though it can come in handy you will probably be better off without one

Please...Please...Please...Do not be a groupie for orgs. such as fraternities, basketball or football team because then you will probably get set out or be labeled as such even if you are innocent

You may say what others think of you is not important but it is not fun having a bad reputation...I know girls who had to leave school

I have much much more but I'll end it for now...I wish you all of God's blessings as you open up a new chapter in your life

[cateyeZ23]

Agreeing with all that I've read. I would like to add (and perhaps again since I didn't read through all replies).

Keep GOD first!!!!

NO CREDIT CARDS - or only for emergencies

STUUUUUUUUDY, STUUUUUUUDY, STUUUUUUUDY

Get plenty of rest

No serious dating at least until your sophmore year.

NO SEX, NO SEX, NO SEX if you feel the need-pray. Ask the brotha a lot of questions first, make him wait a year or two, get tested (both of you), make him show you test results, and use protection but before all that Pls just say I have bigger plans than that right now, NO.

Sistafriend, I say that b/c we are becoming victims to HIV/AIDS at an alarming rate and college will be one of your most memorable times. I don't mean to scare you but I think it's a serious matter.

Make friends - good ones.

Be open to new things.

Keep your values and morals intact.

Explore

Strive for 4.0 GPA

Make your family and yourself proud.

[CrimsonTide4]

Innocence and to anyone else who is a non car having college student like I was, Springfield, Ohio had a bus system that stopped running at 5 pm and did not run on the weekends at all. It was a semi painful situation at times but thanks to the FRIENDS I had, I got around as I needed. Plus I kept quality tennis shoes for my walking grocery trips. That time period made me and continues to make me appreciate my car today. Also I can truly say God looked out for me as I walked 2 miles home every night @ 11pm from my off campus job.

I know people who went to HBCUs who were carless who said that they made it through college quite nicely without one.

[nikki1920]

My two cents:
My high school guidance counselor gave me this advice: Treat college like a job.

Learn to manage your time; if you can't, think of this: Mon-Thurs, work. Friday (nite) and Saturday is for play. Sunday is for church and getting ready for the next week.

One thing that I didnt see mentioned is HEALTH. I was grateful for Student Health, b/c I got mono my first semester at college. After I got better, I took Vitamin C to keep my immune system up, on the advice of my PA (Physician's Assistant). Be sure to take care of yourself, meaning drink a lot of water, eat a salad every now and then, all that good stuff. BELIEVE ME, it helped a LOT when I got better.

Lastly, Have FUN!!! Hopefully, you will meet friends for life (or at least for the time youre at school).

GOOD LUCK!!

ps.. dont forget to pray. That got me thru a LOT of mess at UNC.

[12dn94dst]

Another point of college advice for Innocence and any other incoming freshman. READ the chapters in addition to studying your class notes. There have been many a time where I've missed a question (or 2 or 3 ) on a test/quiz because I skimmed and didn't read ALL the material assigned.

[CrimsonTide4]

Did any of us mention STUDY GROUPS?!?!!? Some study groups are not very productive but they can be very valuable in terms of notes, studying for tests, and just having people in the class who can help reinforce material in class.

DO NOT BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP. As several have mentioned, that may be the difference in a letter grade. Professors get paid to help you.

Advisors: Your personal guidance counselor. Get to know him or her. If for some reason you two are like oil and water, do not be afraid to get a new advisor.

The reason I am so full of advice is because as a teacher, a lot of my students ask me about college life and since I tell them all these things so that THEY can be successful and make me proud, I want the same for you.

PRAYER, yes lawd.

[stillwater15]

ok, there is really some good advice being posted. if i repeat something, it's just that important to be mentioned more than once. i didn't read through all the posts.

1. get to know your college advisor and make sure he/she knows you (may help w/letters of recommendation)

2. stay away from credit cards. these companies cater to college students, assuming they don't know any better.

3. take advantage of intern opportunities, even if unpaid. it'll be invaluable later in life (experience and something to put on your resume).

4. if you aren't practicing abstinence please use protection. while condoms, dental dams, etc., don't prevent all std's, besides abstinence, it's the best protection available.

5. enjoy your time in college. there isn't anything like it.

6. join a club or something. this will provide you w/add'l opportunities to meet other students.

[Angel11E01]

Aaah, college. (Screw this! I'm going back to get my MBA)

Innocence, the only thing that I want to add is to have fun and be careful.

You make your experience, so make the most of it. Experience as much as u can!

Also, i would say, that of course, abstinence is the best policy...BUT..in case you are active...

Most schools have condom clubs where you can get condoms, dental dams, lube, all that good stuff. (OSU has a club where u can get 10 condoms for a dollar, for example.)This is the age of AIDS unfortunately, and we need to be armed!!

SAFER SEX, LADIES....WE ARE DYING!! Ok enough of my tirade.


Talk to students who have taken the classes you want to take. These students should be able to do several things: tell you which teacher to take, and you may be able to borrow books from them...

It's all about making a dollar out of 15 cents in college.

As if my Sorors didnt say it enough..NO CREDIT CARDS!! NO MATTER WHAT. Young people mess themselves up by getting a card and buying fly outfits for all the parties (knowing good and well you couldnt afford it) and end up with creditors on their backs because noone sat them down and explained the importance of having good credit.


If you get a refund check at the beginning of the qtr/semester...pay the bills for the quarter at the very beginning...you can't be worrying about paying tuition and studying at the same time.

Work Study - if you need a job try work study because often the campus positions pay more if you are on work study.

Fill out that FAFSA on time!!

Before you accept that scholarship from XYZ company, make sure that your school won't take away your state issued grant money that you already have.


Work the city's transpo system and walk......you'll save money and keep that girlish figure all at the same time.

Be all up in the Profs face. I am serious about this one....my father passed while i started my first year of my honors program...if they hadn't known who I was, they wouldn't have been willing to work with me on my grades/exams. And I have professional contacts for life.

IF you dont have a bank account, get one! Many campus area banks have free checking programs.

Yes, and Keep your drink in your hand and your eye in your cup at the club... this is also the age of GHB/Date Rape Drugs...


Ladies - Don't walk alone on campus at night...I would recommend keeping a little police whistle on your keychain..sounds silly but if somebody walks up on you and attacks.....whistles are loud!!

Ok, that's it for now... HAVE FUN GUYS!! COLLEGE IS SO MUCH FUN!