Incoming college freshman - advice. =]?

Question

In a few days I'll be starting my freshman year at a huge university. I was just wondering if anyone had any tips or suggestions so as to make the most of my experience? And any suggestions as to how I can still have a social life without becoming the party animal that everyone else at my school is? =/ Thanks!

Answer 1

its all about balance

study sleep eat play

are you living in a dorm? dorms are GREAT ways to meet people! does the university have a Greek system?  Greek life is another GREAT way to meet people and you never really know if Greek life is for you or not till you give it a shot.  Get involved in whichever organization that your major corresponds with its a great way to make friends that you will have classes with and to get more insight into your field (at times).  Are you religious? Many campuses both private and public have organizations that are based around religion yet another GREAT way to meet people.  Intermural sports also very good. for me the dorms and the greek system were how i met most of my friends and i was a partier but it wasn't my life and i kept a decent grade point. i lacked in the sleep department and then ate way more than usual.  A handfull of classes a semester can be missed but save those for the days your sick or the day after someone  breaks your heart.  Keep the papers you get the first day of class somewhere safe those papers run your academic life that semester.  If you are not a morning person don't take a 8am class if you hate the idea of sitting in the same lecture for 3 hours night ones might not be your thing.  study abroad or try the national student exchange if your college offers that.  don't save your papers in once place try two or three (i lost a big one when my computer crashed and had to rewrite off of my notes and drafts :-( the day it was due!) Try new things!

Answer 2

i went to a huge university and found social life actually more difficult than my friends who went to smaller universities. i always thought that was kind of funny since you figure bigger school, more people, more parties, etc. i think though that the biggest thing that will help you out socially at a bigger university, and this is something that i didn't do but really wish i could go back and do, is join the greek system if there is one.

even at my university only about 1000 of the incoming girls in the freshman class joined sororities (which doesn't seem like a lot considering there were 6000 or so incoming freshman) but for some reason it seemed like EVERYONE around me that was normal and fun was in one. i thought i'd meet a lot of people in the dorms, but i didn't, considering that almost half of my floor cleared out within the 1st week of girls moving into their new sorority houses. most of the people that were left after those girls moved out were kind of on the hermit side (and maybe it was just my luck of floors). but greek life gives you an instant group of friends, there's always a meeting, dinner, activity, or something going on - literally. and not all the houses are party houses. the good majority are, but there are always a house or 2 on campus that are way more low key than others. i went into college with the mentality that i want to go out and have fun, go to some parties on the weekends, but not be someone that goes out 4 or 5 out of the 7 nights a week and become a crazy partier, so i thought no way am i going to rush for a sorority all those girls do is party, i'll definately meet people in the dorm because all none of my older friends joined sororities but they had an awesome time with their dorm mates... well i didn't quite take into account that their schools were 1/3 the size of the one i went to, therefore the social scene was completely different.

i don't know if by saying without becoming a party animal but still having a social life you mean you like to go out and party every now and then, but not a ton.. or if you mean you don't like parties at all but like more of the social life where you stay in and watch movies or go bowling, etc. if it's the latter of the two, you will probably be able to get by by trying to join a club on campus or trying to get involved in events in your dorm. in my situation though, like honestly 10 people out of a dorm of 400 girls would go to those "dorm activities" (which ended up usually being movie nights, bake nights, crafts, or 'dances') and it was actually kind of sad. but your campus might be completely opposite, so check those things out. good luck and enjoy yourself!

Answer 3

Join EVERY club that even slightly strikes your interest. At the very least, go to the meetings. You'll get a feel for the clubs, and you'll get a feel for the people in them. What better way to make new friends, fast? You don't have to stick with every club for the next four years--it's just a great way to start networking/socializing with people that you already have at least one thing in common with.  Don't go overboard though--pick one or two favorites, and let the rest go. Most of your time should (technically...) be spent on class/homework.

In terms of academics, well--if you lack motivation, make a bargain with yourself. No going out/partying until all of your work is done (or close to done). That way, you'll be motivated to finish AND it'll help tone down your social life.

One of my friends in college would go out the night before big tests, or drink and THEN write her essays. She graduated along with the rest of us, but she made her life much harder than it needed to be.

Find two types of friends if you need to: studious ones, and fun ones (though they can be a little of both!). Study sessions work wonders for me. Block out an hour or two every night to spend with friends in the library or wherever, JUST studying. No gossiping, surfing the Internet, chatting on cellphones. JUST homework time. What worked for me and my friends was to have a "break" every 45 mins or so. We'd stop for 10 minutes to talk, check email, etc. Then, it was back to homework for another 45 minutes. Again, that little break gives you something to look forward to. And when you're sitting with others who're doing THEIR homework, you're more likely to do your own.

Weekends, for most college students, are sacred. Homework on Friday or Saturday nights is strictly forbidden after 6 0r 7pm. Go out, have fun--do your reading/homework during the day. Wake up around noon and try to get in about 2-4 hours of studying on Sat and Sunday.

You'll thank yourself on Monday--believe me.

Anyway. College is absolutely what you make of it. So go in with an enthusiastic attitude, be open to new people/experiences and you'll be fine.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Don't put off studying for assignments/tests that are due in "2 weeks".

Try not to miss any classes or spend that time chit-chatting with the dude next to you. Read ahead so you'll know what the professor is talking about and can answer questions if he calls them out (*earns you participation points*)

What helps is if you buy a digital voice recorder and record the entire session. I suck at taking notes in a hurry, especially when some professors talk real fast or have a disorganized lecture.

Go over your classes' syllabus from time to time. It'll help remind you what the professor expects of you and also important deadlines.

Also, study EVERYNIGHT. It's hard to make good grades or learn much if you choose to skip certain days cuz you don't feel like it.

I usually study 1 to 1.5 hours per class every night, and has thus far earned me A's.

Social life...it's so easy to get caught up in drama that surrounds itself on campus. Know who you can and cannot hang out with and avoid weekend partying and drinking. It gets everyone into trouble.

College is fun, though. It's tough, but for the most part you'll have a blast if you manage your time well.

Never ever ever, put off studying for finals!! Huge mistake students make. That's why it's so important to study regularly, so you wont be overloaded by final week and have to pull allnighters..

Good luck!!

Answer 5

Tips for class- keep every Syllabus that a professor gives you and organize/remind yourself of deadlines! As far as partying goes, you would be surprised how much good clean fun there is to offer at a university, you can go out and enjoy events hosted by the school that don't involve getting trashed to have a good time, and I met a lot of really cool people who shared interests with me not involving partying. All together college is a really fun place, just get out there and enjoy all of the stuff your university offers it's students because you're paying to be there and should get your full money's worth. Also, if they host a free meal at the college, GO!! We all know how poor college students can be.