Spontaneous Scholar: daquell

Freshmen are immature. Sophomores think they know too much. Juniors are bossy. Seniors are too willing to shed useless advice.

And since I’m now a senior, I’ve got to start sharing useless advice. Well, hopefully not entirely useless. Here are 10 things that I wish I’d known as an incoming freshmen.

1. Buy Early – Start buying supplies, like pencils, paper, bedsheets, as soon as your highschool graduation balloons are tucked into the closet. These items are usually cheaper at the beginning of summer than at the end.
2. Don’t Buy (text)Books Early – Unless you are certain what textbooks to buy, don’t purchase them until commanded by the school. Teachers are apt to change their minds about textbooks, even up until the day school starts. The last thing you want is to be stuck with “167 Arcane Chemicals, A Philosophical Muse” and not be able to sell it! Exception: Buy the following books whenever; just find the cheapest price:
   • Dictionary – Even though there are many free dictionaries online, you will want a hardcopy just in case the campus network goes down. This happens more often than you think. Trust me.
   • Thesaurus – Don’t buy a Thesaurus. I know they want you to, but the online ones are more than sufficient.
3. Read Your Textbooks - Many freshmen, myself included, assume that textbooks are sort of like reference works — useful only at sundry times. Or, you think that the teacher will just give you all you need to know in class. Hint: not true. Read your assigned textbook readings. If you must, get a friend to keep you accountable. You will be thankful when Finals Week rolls around!
4. Quality Time ≠ Quantity Time – Three hours of studying in a noisy room is not as productive as a half-hour of studying in a quiet library. Find a friend-free spot on campus that is within a few minutes of your dorm-room (or somewhere away from your family if you commute). The time you will save is worth the few minutes of travelling. Tip: Don’t bring your laptop along unless you must have it. This will keep you from being distracted by email.
5. Curb Your Email – Set two or three appointed times during the day to check and respond to email. Any more than that is simply a waste of time.
6. Get A Social Life (or restrict your social life) - You must find a happy medium between being with friends and getting to know your textbooks. Don’t be a closet-nerd (like I was), and don’t be a pack leader with a .78 GPA.
7. Early to Bed, Early to Rise – Ben Franklin had it right. Resist the temptation to stay up late studying. Instead, go to bed at a decent hour and study during the morning and afternoon.
8. Remember Your Family – Call home every once in a while (at least once a week). You don’t have to gab for an hour – twenty minutes a week will keep them informed. Make sure you listen as well as talk about yourself.
9. Get A Job – Even if you don’t need to work to pay for tuition, get a job with at least a few hours a week. This will provide for small cash, and it will force you to discipline yourself.
10. Pack Light*** - The *** means that this is incredibly important. When packing for your first year, the tendency is to overpack. Don’t ask, “Will I need this at school?” Ask, “Can I live without this?” Your roommates will thank you, and you’ll have less to sort out and clean up after three months of school.

Well, that’s it. If any of these have helped you in the past, or if you have any to add to this list, please say it in the comments below!