Newswise — Students about to head off to college for the first time have heard the basics: Bring a laptop, learn how to make out a check, rent one of those little refrigerators, avoid the dining hall's "mystery meat." Two St. Lawrence University students " a senior and a junior " have the real scoop, though. They have words of wisdom, things they wish someone had told them before they arrived on campus.
Sara Bernier '08, an economics major from Alpharetta, Georgia, says:
- Work really hard your freshman year in the easier entry-level courses; it will help set the tone for the next four years and those grades will also help cushion lower grades that come with harder courses later on.- Don't turn down any possibility that is given to you. Take a job, join clubs, become active on campus and in the surrounding community. Do anything you can to meet people outside of your immediate social circle. This will not only introduce you to a lot of different kinds of people, it will also teach you how to meet people and get along with others who aren't neccessarily your best friends.- Always make a point to talk to your professors in and outside the classroom. This makes it easier for them to give you help in that course and they may even be able to help you out with courses, other professors or questions you may have in the future.
Luke Tobin '09, and English major from Paul Smiths, New York, says:
- Go to the library. Don't try to study or do work in your room.- Don't miss classes; showing up is half the battle.- Sit in the first few rows.- Get to know your professors.- Take a road trip some weekend.- Always check your e-mail.- Get involved... in a club, on a team, working on campus, joining a fraternity or sorority. Whatever it may be, do something other than just going to class and partying.- Call home every now and then.- Don't drive or ride a bike or even a skateboard " basically anything with wheels on it " after you've been drinking.- Be polite to the people who work on campus.- Hold the door for people.- Remember why and how much people are paying for you to be in college.
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