I was reading an article entitled Frosh: 40 things I wish I knew in first year by Mercedes Mueller, executive editor for Fulcrum. The list comprises 40 tips, common sense tidbits and less common pieces of information that most students embarking on their first year should keep in mind.I've given sparing words of wisdom and tips to a few people through my journey at the U of O. I may not be the foremost expert on campus life, socializing or how to land straight A's, but that has never stopped me from providing university noobs with a few things to remember.
So here's my defacto shortlist of things you should know going into your first year:
25. The next four years will go by much faster than you realize - especially the summer months.
24. Fall Finals run until the 22nd of December - plan your vacations accordingly.
23. There is a 90% chance that you will have at least one Final on a Saturday or Sunday night from 7PM to 10PM - it's almost a rule.
22. The teachers pet in your classes will be just as, if not more annoying in four years than she is right now. Be prepared for that.
21. Opinions are like assholes. Everyone has one - get used to it.
20. Night lectures can be more practical, informative and will lend more flexibility to your schedule than your standard two per week lectures. Embrace the night.
19. You're paying 500-600$ per class for an average five class semester. Every time you skip class you're wasting money.
18. You will miss a lot more than just a weeks worth of class if you skip a three hour lecture.
17. Do not skip class and expect people to help you or give you answers out of good will. Your fellow classmates, and especially your professors, were not born yesterday.
16. Use your notebook for taking notes, not surfing facebook and playing Starcraft.
15. If you get too easily distracted by Jen's status updates, write your notes by hand.
14. Make sure your notes make sense to you. Copying notes word for word from a PowerPoint slide won't help you when you can't remember what it's supposed to mean.
13. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All play and no work makes Jack an effectively screwed boy. Balance is key.
12. Pay it forward. Common courtesy and respect can go a long way; don't be a prick.
11. You will have to do group work. Suck it up, be nice, do your part and be done with it.
10. If your lab/group partners don't pull their weight, bring proof and complain. It works, trust me.
9. Don't be lazy. This isn't high school and your friends won't carry you through to an A based on the fact that you're a cool dude.
8. A lot of people get easily annoyed by loud heavy metal music. But never turn it down unless they tell you it's bothering them. Ask and you shall receive.
7. Every professor is unique in their quirks, grading methods and teaching ability. Learn to improvise, adapt and overcome.
6. Do not be afraid to speak up or ask a question. Odds are high that you're not the only one.
5. The professors you respect the most will be more likely to give you help and advice, if you need it.
4. Do not wait until the fifth year of your four year program to admit to yourself that you need help.
3. Do not be afraid to use the services at your disposal, the Student Academic Success Service (SASS) can provide you with more help than you think.
2. You will not learn everything by memorizing a book, despite what some of your classes and professors may have you believe.
1. Pace yourself. Make sure you take the time to do things right and to be satisfied by your work.
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I would add more, but most of them would be purely nonsensical and made purely for humors sake, kind of like #8.
In my near 6 years of roaming the halls of OttawaU, not one person has ever asked me to turn down my music - despite many a persons disgruntled face gestures and glaring in my general direction.
1 comments:
i liked #8. post them as an addendum!
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