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College Life, Part 1
Some
Much-Needed Advice for College Freshman
By Will McCabe
Don’t worry young adults, this isn’t going to be some patronizing,
beat-you-over-the-head tips that say things you’ve heard several times
over. Like you, I started my freshman year two years ago with several
questions I didn’t even know I had, as well as misconceptions that I
quickly found out were false.
Sometimes while parents, adults, and high school teachers mean well,
they often scare you into thinking college life is some frightening
experience and be nothing like you’ve ever known. While you are sure to
find some arduous challenges in the coming years, there are several
adults, whether they are the professors, deans, or event leaders, who
are willing to assist you.
1. Now, the first tip I have to give will sound familiar,
but I still feel the need to tell you: Don’t drink if you’re under 21.
Just... don’t. The risks outweigh any possible gain, and can affect
future careers and postgraduate opportunities.
If you are going to drink, please don’t drink excessively, and
definitely do not drive. At that point, you are not just putting
yourself in danger, but others as well.
2. Stay on campus. Now that I’m off the soapbox, another
piece of advice some may have heard before is the frequency of coming
home. If you are planning to live on-campus, don’t visit home for at
least the first three weeks. Now, if you’re commuting to college, don’t
disappear from home for three or more weeks, this only applies for
on-campus students!
The longer you stay away from the comfort of home, the more you realize
you need to start fending for yourself. College is a great way for you
to learn independence, and visiting home frequently where your mom will
do your laundry, make you dinner, and remind you to do homework is
preventing you from doing those things yourself.
3. Keep your options open. Now, hopefully no one is only
going to college solely to find a husband or wife, but if you are
looking around, keep in mind not to set your sights on one person.
Universities have hundreds to thousands of people, so don’t settle for
the first person that makes eye-contact with you.
The best way to fight this is to have a set of standards. This can
include a similar belief system or political standings and someone who
is looking ahead to the future. Doing this can easily eliminate those
who just want to have a good time and instead find someone who will
actually care about you and what you want to do with your life.
4. Don’t be pressured to join a frat or sorority. Some of
the first people who will talk to you are probably not going to be
long-lasting friends. Instead, they will likely be recruiters for
fraternities or sororities. I’m not attempting to show them in a
negative light, but their ultimate desire is for you to join them. They
will go to great lengths: give you special attention, insider tips
about the university, gifts, etc. Take great advantage of that!
While this occurs, the frat/sorority will persistently ask if you are
going to join soon. While some may be gentle, others may be more
aggressive in asking you. Don’t make a rash decision or become
pressured to join Greek Life. While I’ve seen people refuse to join, I
can’t say I’ve ever heard of one person leaving a sorority or
fraternity, and I also can’t say if that’s a good or bad thing.
Let me just stress again, I’m not guaranteeing they will be like this,
I’m just preparing you for worst-case scenarios, and some will take
rejection considerably well. Who knows? Maybe you can somehow retain
friendship with those recruiters.
5. Don’t question the professors, or at least, not
outright. Some of these professors have what is called “tenure”: a term
meaning it is EXTREMELY difficult for them to get fired, similar to a
teacher who is part of the “teacher’s union.” If you upset them enough,
they can make your first year very uncomfortable, and you won’t be able
to do much about it.
Even if you feel the professor is wrong in their understanding of a
topic or believe you could somehow teach it better, keep it to
yourself. Questioning them is the equivalent of defying them as a
superior, and no one likes being told they’re wrong, especially by
someone 1/3 of his or her age.
If what they teach is so inaccurate and potentially harmful to the
class, discuss your concern to the professor outside of class, but be
sure to have a comrade or a professor you trust who can corroborate
what occurs if something unprofessional transpires. Try to be
understanding and not antagonistic when talking to the professor, and
he/she will likely follow suit.
These are only a few of the many realizations I’ve discovered my
freshman year, so I may very well write a follow-up to give more
advice. I’m no expert on college life, so if you disagree with my
insights, just remember we all have different experiences, so our
viewpoints may not always match up.
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