Melanie Sabol – Copy Editor
Welcome Southern’s class of 2017! Now that you’ve gotten this far, let me just give you a glimpse of what your college life as a freshman is going to look like.
First off, college is very different from high school. Most of your time will be spent in your dorm room, so make sure that it is comfortable for you. It is your home away from home; make sure that it is relaxing. If you get stuck with an 8:10 class, (as I was my first semester freshman year) this might be what your typical day looks like.
7:30 a.m. – Roll out of bed and start your day
8:00 a.m. – Stumble into the Bagel Wagon with headphones and sunglasses on
8:10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Classes
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Try and find time for lunch
1:30 p.m. – 3:35 p.m. – More classes
3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Head back to the dorm for some homework or a nap
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Go to Conn Hall for dinner
7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. – Do more homework
10:00 p.m. – Midnight – Hang out with friends
Midnight – Go to bed to get up and do it all again
Your days are going to be very long and with the change in sleep pattern, I suggest you take naps. Naps will give you that extra boost of energy that you need to get through the rest of the day. You’ll wish you took all those naps that you missed out on as a kid, they are a lifesaver as a college student.
Budget your money. While Conn food is the most appetizing food on campus, you will find yourself ordering out often. Set yourself a spending amount for the month so that you don’t run out of funds before you go home for winter break. This way you have money for food and whatever else you might need as a college student.
Get your work done then go out. The schoolwork will creep up on you as a freshman. Between going out and hanging with your friends, the schoolwork will fall behind. I’ve had it happen to me. I would be out on a Friday night and then suddenly realize that I had a paper due that day at midnight. Do the work first so you can have more fun when you go out.
If you find yourself struggling in classes don’t be afraid to go to office hours. The professors are here to help you and make sure that you are getting the most out of your education. It’s always intimidating to go to a professor in a lecture hall and sit down with them since they won’t know your name. It’s weird. But they will put a face to your name, so if you are on the verge of passing or failing this can come in handy. Show them that you want to make the effort and that will help you out in the long run.
Having classes all day without a food break can be rough. Ask your professors if they will allow food or drink in their classes. Some professors will and some will not. Bring something to class that will not provide a lot of noise and distraction. Protein bars or a bagel will give you enough energy to keep you going until you can get to lunch or dinner.
Remember that Southern lanyard that you got at orientation? Yes, it’s really cool – love free things. It’s great to put your room key and hoot loot on so that it doesn’t get lost since replacing a room key is a $100 fine payable by whoever loses it and a hoot loot is $10 for the first time you lose it and $20 for every time after. But, wearing it around your neck may not be the best of ideas. Everyone around campus will know that you are a freshman – so just carry it around or even better put it in your pocket.
Getting in quality study time is key. Sometimes your dorm room is not the best place to get that studying done. Go to the library. Everyone studies there. Commuters go there when they are in between classes – and it’s always quiet.
Now that summer is officially over and the semester has begun, remember to have fun and embrace everything that Southern has to offer you. Go out and make the most of your freshman year – Go Owls!
