Tucker
Armadillo Pup
';..;'
Posts: 23
|
Post by Tucker on May 31, 2011 17:16:57 GMT -5
One of the suggestions I already had on my list was "keep your door open," because it's so much easier to make casual friends that way. Sadly I always had my door opened ( partly cuz my Roommate from Africa kept it super hot), but still managed to avoid socialization. It's all luck of the draw I guess. |
|
|
|
Post by Olive on May 31, 2011 18:43:08 GMT -5
@ Olive: Maybe I will keep my door open- though people may be annoyed by the music floating out. I always had music playing through my amp, and no one seemed to mind. In fact, it'd often start conversations. |
|
|
|
Post by onlyaworkingtitle on Jun 1, 2011 0:29:07 GMT -5
Some advice for English major freshman on paper-writing: Pick an argument. You don't need to agree with it. You don't need to care. Find supporting evidence and defend it to the death.
Those middle parts are the ones that take the longest to figure out (and would be best to learn and accept earlier).
|
|
|
|
Post by cyanea on Jun 1, 2011 2:10:31 GMT -5
Work.
Even if it's 10-hours/week, work. It gives you a chance to meet people outside your major (especially if you spend all your days in one building like I do), it gives you experience (which employers are going to look for when you're done, especially with a broad major like English), it gives you time AWAY from books and your studies (trust me, that can be beneficial in the long run) and extra money is not bad. College life is expensive.
This. So very much this. Understanding this earlier in my academic career would have eliminated so much stress.
|
|
|
|
Post by Olive on Jun 1, 2011 5:40:37 GMT -5
Work. Even if it's 10-hours/week, work. It gives you a chance to meet people outside your major (especially if you spend all your days in one building like I do), it gives you experience (which employers are going to look for when you're done, especially with a broad major like English), it gives you time AWAY from books and your studies (trust me, that can be beneficial in the long run) and extra money is not bad. College life is expensive. Yes, this. And another benefit: you won't be a spoiled brat. I hate to say it, but I've noticed something that holds true probably 90% of the time. People who either have a job during college or have ever had a real job are much more bearable to be around. They're also better at time management and, usually, professor interactions. So, yes, please get a job! |
|
|
|
Post by Lizzie on Jun 1, 2011 12:26:24 GMT -5
Try to avoid an 8 AM class if you can, ESPECIALLY if your college only allows a certain number of missed classes like mine does.
Don't buy your textbooks until you know you actually need them for the class. This probably sounds really irresponsible, but you could end up paying $50 for a sociology book you opened once, like I did.
If you need extra help, don't be afraid to find your professors during their office hours. That's what they're for and it's good to build a relationship with your professors for your future years, especially if they're in the English department because chances are you'll have them again.
Procrastinate all you want during the school year but when it comes to the end of each semester PACE YOURSELF or you'll literally go crazy.
Don't let someone pressure you into joining a club that you don't want to be a part of.
If you have a work study, TRY TO FIND A JOB EARLY. Don't end up like me without a job all year long, begging your parents for money every weekend.
If your school says it's a "dry campus", don't believe that for a minute.
Have fun! Seriously, especially if it's your first time away from your parents. Don't go home every weekend. Make sure you go out and have fun or stay in and have fun or you will be totally miserable.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lizzie on Jun 1, 2011 12:30:28 GMT -5
Also, going out and drinking or smoking or whatever every once in a while if you're responsible about it does not make you a bad person. You're an adult now, so do what you like, just make sure you have your priorities straight and you'll be fine.
|
|
|
|
Post by Eternal Lobster on Jun 1, 2011 12:34:11 GMT -5
I'm about to be a freshman! My main question is, what is the stupid thing you did freshman year that you wish you'd never done? If you don't regret anything, just general advice? I am spending my summer catching up on things that I missed on the internet during school, and today was/is Catching Up On VlogBrothers Day; having seen this, I feel it is appropriate: |
|
|
|
Post by cyanea on Jun 1, 2011 12:39:04 GMT -5
At the risk of sounding too Grandpappy-like (really, I'm only 25!), keep in mind that a lot of your undergrad education is going to seem like a lot of wasted time and pointless bullshit. The truth of the matter, from someone who's been out in the "real world" and had a "real job" for a while...a lot of it is.
Even if your major is Biotechnology and you're taking an Intro to Basket Weaving course as an elective, don't slack off just because "it's not your major, so it doesn't matter". You don't know what's going to happen to you a few years down the road. Maybe you realized you liked Basket Weaving and try to make it your major and that D you got three years ago screws you over? Maybe a future employer looks at your transcript and sees that D in an "easy" class and doesn't think you're good hiring material. Maybe you want to go to grad school and that D keeps you out of the one you had your heart set on.
Most likely, your class on Basket Weaving won't mean a damn thing. But you never know. College is a lot of bullshit and pointless crap, but if you prove you can get through it successfully, you set yourself up for a much better life than someone who couldn't.
*shakes cane and mutters something about kids and lawns*
|
|
krista
Young Armadillo
Warrior of Words
Posts: 52
|
Post by krista on Jun 1, 2011 23:43:17 GMT -5
Most likely, your class on Basket Weaving won't mean a damn thing. But you never know. College is a lot of bullshit and pointless crap, but if you prove you can get through it successfully, you set yourself up for a much better life than someone who couldn't. *shakes cane and mutters something about kids and lawns* THIS. As much as I loved my strictly literature classes, I actually enjoyed (most) of my required GenEd classes. It was a nice break from reading and arguments and took my mind off of petty things. |
|
|
|
Post by onlyaworkingtitle on Jun 2, 2011 0:43:38 GMT -5
Order books used online -- the Amazon marketplace, for example, is a godsend for making nearly anything at steeply lower prices. Plus, the previous owners' highlightings/margin-scribblings will make the casual observer think you actually did the reading!
|
|
|
|
Post by Dodger Thirteen on Jun 2, 2011 1:49:42 GMT -5
Live in the dorms at least a year. You meet some very interesting people and it'll help you learn to deal with bad situations.
Also, make friends with your CA/RA/Whatever they call the person in charge of your dormitory floor. If you do, I can guaran-fucking-tee that they will bend over backwards for you whenever you need it because most of the people on your floor will likely be annoying douchebags who puke on the floors of the bathrooms the first weekend you're there and every subsequent weekend and no one likes stepping in puke at 2am when they're just trying to take a leak.
Seriously. Do it.
|
|
|
|
Post by Silva on Jun 2, 2011 1:55:43 GMT -5
I'm living in the dorms all four years, I think. Unless I magically have money to get an apartment somewhere.
I'm not the best at making friends but I can try...
|
|
|
|
Post by Dodger Thirteen on Jun 2, 2011 1:59:16 GMT -5
I'm living in the dorms all four years, I think. Unless I magically have money to get an apartment somewhere. I'm not the best at making friends but I can try... I did, too. The food began to make me cry, though...everything is fried...EVERYTHING...even the bacon...and the burgers.... *shudders while turning green* But you might luck out. Or have access to a kitchen.... As for making friends, I'm serious about the club thing. Else invest in cool t-shirts that pertain to your favourite fandom. People compliment me on my Firefly and Supernatural t-shirts all the time and then I get to latch onto them and pretend people like me for a short time.  Or you could always do what Eternal Lobster and I did and band together against an annoying and evil force.... |
|
|
|
Post by cyanea on Jun 2, 2011 3:13:52 GMT -5
My dorm in freshman year advertised a kitchen on its website. It's the reason I chose that one.
And it did indeed have a kitchen...if by kitchen you mean an oven and that's IT, then yes. It had a kitchen.
|
|
