Welcome to Hell...I mean...education
 

Well NPF'ers, I'm back. Or rather, I'm back to trying to be active on the internet, after a forced exile for the better part of a year. To commemorate the reason for this, I've started this thread.

I recently, as in a week from today, started college, and have been living on campus. Since I'm still new and adjusting to this experience, I was wondering if other people had any advice or fun stories from their college time. What did you study, was it useful, things to avoid, things to do, and anything else.

Also, considering the fact I'm attending a "Christian Liberal Arts University" (is that even possible), anyone else who's been through this 'unique' experience would be appreciated.

Avoid donuts. Seriously.

I don't know what makes a "Christan Liberal Arts College" an improbability because I'm pretty sure that's possable but I'm going to a "Catholic liberal arts college" and that sure exists...sorry can't help you if your college doesn't exist

DBS

I went to a Christian Liberal Arts College that now calls itself a university.

Oddly enough, the majority of students weren't Christian, but they were pretty cool. We all got along and learned to respect each other's faiths (or lack thereof).

Anyway, some advice:

1. Go to your classes, especially if the professor has a reputation for teaching awesome classes, unless you are deathly ill. Hangovers rarely count. Professors in smaller campuses such as a CLAU will notice if you make a habit of not showing up. Besides, you can learn all sorts of crazy stuff that has absolutely nothing to do with the subject being taught if you stay awake and keep your eyes open.

2. Don't be afraid to try new things. College is a time for fleshing out your interests and skills set. You may find that the major you declare in your freshman year will change later on, based on the interests you develop.

3. Choose your roommates well. Murphy's law dictates that, unless you and a friend manage to talk the Dorm Director into letting you share a room, your first roommate will be your polar opposite at best, and a huge jerk at worst. You should be able to move if you and your first roommate don't get along.

4. If the fruit flies are swarming, avoid the dining hall salad bar. XD

5. Stay in touch with loved ones.

6. Don't be afraid to ask for help in a subject if you're struggling. The professor's not going to think less of you if you ask for help, unless you've been blowing off his classes--if you have, you are most likely screwed.

7. Find something to laugh about each day. I've found this website in particular to be helpful.

I too am adjusting to college, and its honestly not half bad.

1. If your roommate sucks, go for the room change, they'll do it if you can find someone willing.

2. The Freshman 15 is a mostly a myth. If you keep walking to your classes and being active, you won't gain anything. Also, its completely normal for a person bodyweight to fluxtuate 5 pounds.

3. Join a club or two. They like people. You are a part of said people.

4. Lock that room up. Within the first 2 weeks two girls across the hall from me had their wallets stolen because one of thier doors were unlocked.

5. Don't get caught up with the crowd and partying every night. Set aside some time either each day, or each week to get that studying done. Preferably everyday so it doesn't pile on.

And thats about all I have for now.

Hey, try going to a school with a Dunkin' Donuts within walking distance. You don't have to avoid donuts, just eat them in moderation.

This goes double if you replace fruit flies with cockroaches.

Yeah, I actually lost weight during college, but then I gained it back when I went home for the summer. Go figure. It may have had something to do with the fact that my campus was full of insane hills.

Oh yeah, and if you live on the 2nd or 3rd floor, take the stairs, not the elevator. I told myself I was going to take the stairs senior year, when I was on the 5th floor, but my asthma didn't like that.

My Campus:
Police station to the left.
Wendy's on the right.

Yeah, we're a quiet campus. Quiet and hard working.

I was informed living on campus is hell on earth; the only reason to do so is for the closeness to the school itself. I'll be living at an apartment 15 minutes from Campus, and that's a push for travel in the winter.

I've also been warned AGAINST free drinks. If you're offered something? don't drink it.

Stay the hell away from jello shots, everclear (well, that's optional), and any drink that's been open.

And none of that, for once, is from personal experience!

Yeah, freshman here. Living off campus. So I get all the good stuff, and the commute is barely anything! MUWAHAHA!

Thanks for all the advice so far. Now that it's not ungodly late at night maybe I'll be a bit more coherent.

I'll see your Dunkin Donuts and raise you a Krispy Kreme. Duly noted however.
I seem to have seriously lucked out, because my roommate is one of the only people in my dorm that I get along with really well. I'm waiting to see if this changes, but so far it's all good.
I can attest to this, although there's one problem. The way our dorms are set up, we share a bathroom with the room next room, and they lock on the outside. I had a guy break into my room (just a prank, we were trying to sleep) using a coat hanger. That doesn't inspire much confidence in our security.

As for the drinks and parties, Evangel (my school) doesn't *allow* such activities (not even dancing, which seriously irks me). I'm sure they're around here, and I just need to look for them, but I will definitely make sure not to party too much.

Does anyone have some advice for dealing with dorm mates who insist on blaring music til nearly 3AM? I'd consider just killing them, but...well, doesn't seem the most effective way. Yet.

Depending on whether you have to get up early in the morning, sleeping with those little foam earplugs in can work -- it did for me, when I was your age and had to put up with that. If you've got to get up with an alarm, there are vibrating alarm clocks designed to be stowed under your pillow, or you could try the same thing with a cellphone if it lets you set a vibrating alarm.