Tips and things to do in college

[MNCyGuy]

The HS stuff got me thinking too. Even if you were the absolute end-all, be-all back home, don't be that person that relates everything back to high school or compulsively tries to recreate your high school situation in college. Nobody likes that person.

 

[Cyfan1843]

Don't go back home on the weekends stay in Ames.

 

[zdorr40]

Visit Thumbs at least once.

 

[isukendall]

I was just going to say these exact three things. Very good advice.

I would also add... be yourself. In HS a lot of people try to be what they think other people want them to be. In college everyone kind of seems to find their own type of person, regardless of how "cool" that is. And within every type are groups that party hard, and groups that like to chill. Whatever you like is fine. Just do your thing, and be a nice person.

All great stuff in this thread, but I think this is probably the best piece of advice overall. Any preconception of who you are in terms of how you fit in, throw it out the window. If you were a nerd in high school, you may be very cool in college. If you were cool in high school, nobody will care in college. I even felt the whole idea/importance of being "cool" went away in college. It's very different. And I was a frat guy.

 

[MattforState]

1. Find an ON CAMPUS job. I found a job my Jr and Sr years that I set up around my class schedule between 9 and 5 on the weekdays. That was way better than trying to get out of working at Hyvee on gamedays or any other time something fun came up.

2. If you are going to date someone during your freshman and sophmore years, don't be that couple that spends every spare minute together. You will miss out on a lot of good friendships.

3. Pick your teams wisely for intramurals. I won 4 shirts while I was there, but the best flag football team I played on lost by a touchdown in the quarterfinals because a bunch of people suddenly couldn't make it. We were playing 5 on 7 and still came close to winning.

4. Save the majority of your questions for after class. Know one likes the guy who asks way too many dumb questions.

5. You don't have to make relationships w/ many professors. Just enough to write a good reference for you.

 

[hawkeyeh8r]

few more things ive thought of:

1. dont use a map on campus (every upperclassmen picks up on you being a freshman and makes fun of you behind your back)

2. you dont need your ID card to ride the orange bus (another thing upperclassmen pick up on and make fun of you for)

 

[bostrem00]

Go to class......It's probably a big reason why you're here....as been mentioned before....

 

[Cyclone06]

Great thread and a slew of great info already posted. My two main points would be:

Study abroad... in another country. You will also want to study many a broad in and around Ames.:wink: But seriously studying abroad was a huge thing for me. At its most basic, I gained a confidence that I could survive and even thrive anywhere. My semester in Spain was the highlight for what was an awesome college experience.

Go to class. I'll admit I could have studied harder and gotten a little extra out of the college education I paid for, but if there is one basic principle to keeping your grades up, it is GO TO CLASS. What you will get out of just being there is alot more than you might think on those days you don't feel quite up for it.

 

[Cyched]

1. Strike a balance between your academic and social life. One reason my college experience has been great is that I've been able to maintain good grades while still going out each weekend, just because I know when/how to prioritize. Attend all your classes and the grades will come much easier (less time studying).

2. Meet new people. Too many times I see people who still just hang out with their friends from high school. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but a big part of the social aspect of college is meeting people who come from all over.

3. Buy season tickets. FB and BB games are a hell of a good time, especially tailgating for football. Also a good way to support and take pride in ISU.

4. Like isukendall said, what you were in high school doesn't matter in college. Consider it a fresh start. Meet people and just have fun.

5. Don't go home on the weekends.

6. Stay out of Lake Laverne.

7. Moonlight Express.

 

[cyhiphopp]

Here's a tip for all guys on campus.

The first really nice sunny day of the year, girls will be out in droves laying on towels wherever there is grass in as little clothing as possible. Take up jogging on these days or go out and throw the football around with the guys in you dorm. Enjoy!

 

[ISUAgronomist]

Here's a tip for all guys on campus.

The first really nice sunny day of the year, girls will be out in droves laying on towels wherever there is grass in as little clothing as possible. Take up jogging on these days or go out and throw the football around with the guys in you dorm. Enjoy!

I loved the first "advertising" day of the year.

 

[cstrunk]

Go west on Lincoln Way to Co Rd R38 and turn right. Go north on R38 for a few miles until you get to Cameron School Rd/195th St and turn left. Head west down that gravel road for a few miles and look to the south (and keep an eye out for a white van on the north side of the road).

Bring extra undies.

 

[MeanDean]

"I would also add... be yourself. In HS a lot of people try to be what they think other people want them to be. In college everyone kind of seems to find their own type of person, regardless of how "cool" that is. And within every type are groups that party hard, and groups that like to chill. Whatever you like is fine. Just do your thing, and be a nice person."

I'm glad someone posted this. College is the time to really let yourself be yourself. The pressure in HS to conform is astounding and in college it's a chance to define yourself.

I also am still best friends with my best friend in college 30+ years later. By being yourself you will naturally connect with others who will more naturally accept you.

I had a hard time adjusting to college/dorm life. I was homesick a lot as a freshman, less so as a soph, and by Junior year I was perfectly happy to be in Ames on the weekends and didn't miss it. That's just me, but your only 10 minutes away so that can work either way.

Go to classes. I had lots of 8:00 classes. No one really wants them but my advise is to deal with them. You will soon be in the workforce and guess what, you don't get to wait until 11:00 to turn on your brain so I wouldn't make such a fuss.

Start out strong (WORK HARD) academically and you will soon learn how to learn, how to study and what you're supposed to know and what you may not have to know to get by.

Lastly, if there's a killer concert the night before a midterm go to the concert. Thirty years later I get a lot more interest from people talking about seeing one of the opening concerts on the Eagles Hotel California tour than saying I got an A in Freshman Engineering 151 and not a B.

 

[cyclonefreak5]

few more things ive thought of:

1. dont use a map on campus (every upperclassmen picks up on you being a freshman and makes fun of you behind your back)

2. you dont need your ID card to ride the orange bus (another thing upperclassmen pick up on and make fun of you for)

To add onto the stupid freshman mistakes, DO NOT go out to campustown or to house parties on the weekend wearing an Iowa State shirt. You will be called out for it.

 

[Cytom5]

welcome to the best four years of your life I only have 2 years left

 

[cyclonedave25]

To add onto the stupid freshman mistakes, DO NOT go out to campustown or to house parties on the weekend wearing an Iowa State shirt. You will be called out for it.

Why's that?
Whenever I went out on the weekends and didn't feel like "dressing up" I wore an ISU shirt of some sort. I was never once called out for wearing an Iowa State shirt on the weekend at a party or the bar.

Now, if we're talking about that Iowa State freshman orientation shirt you get for free, then you have a point.

 

[Sousaclone]

Ahh college how I miss thee (and I wasn't even much of a party person).

- Know and respect your personal limits. If you've never drank before take it easy especially if you don't know anybody yet or have someone who will make sure you end up in your dorm at the end of the night.

- Try and get along with your roommate. You don't have to be best friends (although it does help). You'll be living with the person for a while so try and get along. Establish some ground rules if needed about stuff.

-When winter comes around leave the HS letter jacket in the closet at home. No one cares that you were in football, basketball, and track. (except maybe your intramurals team)

-Learn and use CyRide. It's nice to be able to hop a bus to class and not walk on bad weather days. Drunk bus is also extremely useful.

- Figure out what works for YOU. It'll take you a half a semester or so, but figure out what works for you in terms of sleep, study habits, food, exercise, etc. What worked for me may be completely wrong for you.

- Go to class! Once you stop going to class it's very hard to make yourself start going again. Especially in the spring when the weather finally turns nice.

- Get involved with some club or organization. Even if you don't end up being an active member it's a good chance to meet people and get exposed to other things you may not have known about. Plus it's another line on the resume for when the real world comes knocking.

 

[Al_4_State]

don't be a geek.
enjoy college bc the real world is a kick in the ****
bang anyone that wants to. You will forever remember the ones you didn't way more than the ones you did.

Yup.

Another lesson: don't **** block yourself. Between other dudes trying to swoop in (generally not as big of a problem) and the girl you're hitting it off with's large female friend grabbing her arm and bellowing in a troll voice "SHE'S NOT GOING HOME WITH ANYONE!", you have enough obstacles. Don't get so *** over elbows drunk that you've now become yet another obstacle for yourself.

 

[dualthreat]

Lotta good stuff in this thread. Makes me sad. Thank God I'm only 2 years into college

 

[dualthreat]

I know a lot of guys who fell into this category. A lot more of them graduated and are doing fine than failed out (although some did that too). I wouldn't generalize much on that.

Of all my college buddies, the one is the most academically successful (currently getting his doctorate in Electrical Engineering) was also one of the wildest/hardest partying guys I knew. He's a genius, and he ALWAYS made sure his work was done before getting messed up (which was damn near every night).

I know who you're talking about and I admire him for that as well.