Two things prompted this post. The first being that Raincheck is soliciting advice on college, and the second being that I just recently finished and therefore consider myself to be somewhat inexorably, an expert. Not only have I had the opportunity to see college from the eyes of a student, but I have had the somewhat rare priveledge of seeing this from a faculty standpoint as well. Enough of my rambling, I'll dispense what little advice I actually have in hopes that it aides somebody, somewhere, somehow.
1. The first year of college is very important as it sets the stage primarily for who you will be hanging out with for the next four or more years. You will probably meet more people your freshman year than all of the other years combined. Chances are you will determine who you wish to room with next year and possibly succeeding years, and you will probably find friends who can reccomend what teachers to take for a particular class. The first year also gives you the opportunity to live on your own for quite possibly the first time in your entire life. It's fantastic until you see bills pouring in. My advice is to have fun, but remember that it is a lot easier to maintain a high GPA than it is to bring one back up from the depths of scholarship loss. Write your paper first, then party.
2. When looking for mentors in college, you need to ask yourself one question first, "Am I a morning person, or not?" If you are a morning person, then find a senior who takes all of his or her classes before lunch. If you are not a morning person, then find a junior who doesn't routinely wake up before noon. A senior that doesn't wake up before noon is probably destined to be a senior for more than one year, and therefore is not worthy of your attention. A junior on the other hand has been there long enough to know what's going on, but isn't at the stage where he or she has reached loser status yet. (Disclaimer, I have known several seniors who did not get up before noon and graduated with honors... this type of individual is however, quite rare.
3. Don't sweat trying to figure out what you're going to do with your life. Just major in something seemingly useful and figure the rest out later. Studies have shown that people change careers on average three to five times in their life. You are not going to be trapped in a job you hate unless you refuse to do anything about it. I do advise staying away from highly specialized degrees unless you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that is what you want to do. If, however, you find yourself in that situation... there's always graduate school.
4. Don't cram for tests, it just doesn't work.
5. You'll make a lot more friends as a designated driver than as just another underage drinker.
6. Participate in class. Nothing jades a professor more than asking open questions to the class and being treated like he just asked the most rhetorical question ever conceived. I've seen both sides of this, yes I know you are paying for the class and in theory you should be able to do whatever you damn well please, but if you show up to class and sit in the back talking to your friends the entire time I would certainly have no qualms asking you to leave. As a matter of fact, if you aren't in class to learn, you might as well not even be there. You're just wasting everyone's time. Ask questions, there are no stupid questions, just stupid people. Well... stupid people do occasionally ask stupid questions.
7. Don't have your personal beliefs swayed just because a know-it-all professor told you that you've been lied to your entire life by everyone including your parents. Many-a-student has left for college with their head proverbially screwed on straight and come back a bleeding heart liberal. Listen to them, but think about their arguments and decide for yourself what you actually believe. College is one of the most liberal places outside of the media that you can ever find, don't just accept what you're told because you refuse to stand up to a professor or because you want to get back at your parents. Make up your own mind.
8. Buy a convoginators T-shirt and wear it around campus... Lord knows we need the money. That cheese dip at the Semi-Annual Convogi-thon doesn't just pay for itself you know.
That's all I've got... it's late... and I'm tired.
Jeff C.
