Freshman Advice Thread

[Mtowncyclone13]

I will second the "don't run away" if cops come to a party. The minute I turned 21 I realized cops don't care if you are underage as long as you're not being an idiot and don't have a cup in your hand. Walking around with a backpack on Friday night is a no-no and should something happen don't run away or yell at the cops. Be calm and you'll be fine.

My last party advice for you is wear or be something different than everyone else without being a tool. I had never been on a farm but I wore a straw cowboy hat to house parties and the girls would instantly come up and want to wear it. Find something that is a natural conversation starter and own the hell out of it.

 

[longtimeclone]

All of this has been really helpful so far so thanks for all the help. Is there anything I should be bringing that I wouldn't think I need? Or any helpful advice for moving in?

Bring:
Garbage bags
A koozie or two
Make sure to bring some clothes for cold weather in case you don't go home until Thanksgiving
I second random meds like ibuprofen


Move in:
Go early or late because a lot of people go in the middle of the day
Be patient because there could be a bunch of people moving
Have a map or know the route to go (I think it might be a right on Sheldon from Lincoln Way then make another right on Union. I don't know if they want people making lefts into Beyer Ct)
I was a part of move in crew which is students that helped other move in. Don't be afraid to ask them for help, but don't expect them to do everything either.
The move in crew seemed to work better in the morning or early afternoon. People tended to leave later in the day.
Keep in mind that Target and Walmart will be packed

 

[carvers4math]

If your user name is any indication, dye your hair.

I am going to respectfully disagree on this one. My son who is a ginger says the ladies like to talk to him about the hair and the blue eyes as a conversation starter.

 

[WhatchaGonnaDo]

If you don't have an N64:
1. find one online or a used gaming store.
2. Buy super smash bros, mario kart, mario party, etc.
3. Play N64 drinking games


Other than that, be open and sociable. I loved Helser, and I think it gets a bad rep because it's crappy. But there's a sense of camaraderie with other people who live there. Something about those brick walls :v_SPIN:. Use the study rooms, it's a great way to meet people.

Oh yeah and shower regularly (nobody likes a smelly roommate, I know by experience)

 

[cyhiphopp]

Didn't read the rest of the thread but here's a few from my own experience.

Don't try to stay with your HS girlfriend. 90% of the time it doesn't work out.

Also in that vein, don't put up with girls who have a hometown boy friend. They will friend-zone you and mess with your head.

Make as many friends and be a sociable as possible in the dorms.

You can party and have a ton of fun, but make time to study as well. It's not that hard if you just make an effort.

 

[oldman]

I would recommend studying abroad one semester. I'd probably wait until your junior or senior year but definitely look into it.

I would recommend studying ALL the broads, and start right away.

 

[Wesley]

Cowgirl has good advice.

Try rush week and party.

 

[WhatchaGonnaDo]

Buy Tums or those Pepto chewable tablets for when you're really hungover and have the beer *****.

 

[cyclone13]

Your GPA Matters. Of course some people will tell you it doesn't and some will give example that they can get jobs with a GPA of below 3.00. But most likely it's because they are lucky or they have connections or have an extremely great personality. So, if you don't have those things or don't want to run the risk of running out of fortunes when the time comes to find a job, please take care of your GPA. You still need to have fun, but GPA should be one of your highest priorities.

 

[theantiAIRBHG]

Buy Tums or those Pepto chewable tablets for when you're really hungover and have the beer *****.

Can this apply post college? I am hungover as a kangaroo right now.

 

[WhatchaGonnaDo]

Can this apply post college? I am hungover as a kangaroo right now.

I cannot confirm, as I am still in college

 

[theantiAIRBHG]

I miss college

Girls at IIAC colleges are slutty.

 

[WhatchaGonnaDo]

Your GPA Matters. Of course some people will tell you it doesn't and some will give example that they can get jobs with a GPA of below 3.00. But most likely it's because they are lucky or they have connections or have an extremely great personality. So, if you don't have those things or don't want to run the risk of running out of fortunes when the time comes to find a job, please take care of your GPA. You still need to have fun, but GPA should be one of your highest priorities.

There are plenty of jobs/internships that won't even look at you if you're below their cutoff point. I had been hovering around the 2.9-2.99 range forever and the 3.0 cutoffs still didn't even give me a chance, even with work experience. Luckily I'm above the 3.0 now.

 

[cydline2cydline]

If you aren't an extrovert, find a friend that is more outgoing than you are (they will meet tons of people and so will you). Eventually they will rub off on you.

At a party, always go talk to the girl that is having the least amount of fun. Laugh, make jokes, ask her why she is pi**ed at the world. If she has fun, her hot fun-having friends will stay and you will be awesome.

 

[MNCyGuy]

Outside of making sure you keep yourself in good shape academics wise, just don't overthink things too much or take other people's advice about the "right way" to do college to seriously. This is the only time span you'll ever have this awesome combination of high amounts of freedom and low amounts of responsibility, so don't get bogged down in how everyone else thinks you should enjoy it (although don't waste all your time on message boards and facebook. There's time enough for that after you graduate and are stuck behind some desk all day)

 

[cycopath25]

Expand your sexual horizons and don't wear protection.

 

[WhatchaGonnaDo]

Condoms do a lot more than just prevent babies.

 

[The_Architect]

My father gave me one piece of advice when I went to college. It was "son, don't put your **** in anything you wouldn't marry".

This is seriously the worst advice I've ever heard. Just the worst.

 

[cycopath25]

Condoms do a lot more than just prevent babies.

Back in my day we didn't have those fancy birth control methods, like pulling out.

 

[CycloneErik]

Let me vouch for the "ask your profs and T.A." part.
Every semester, I'll have the talk after grades are submitted with one person, always one out of a hundred, who never asked questions, took part in class, or something along those lines, and doesn't see how that affects their grade.

If there's a resource there and you don't take advantage, that's on you.

From talking to students, there are some classes where the "skip class and read the book" think can work, but be really careful who you take that advice from. Not everyone is at the top of their class. Be careful who you take advice from.

If they're drunk at noon on Monday, probably ignore their advice.