Anybody starting college this year?

[Ishtar]

I just got back from my 3 day orientation at Suny New Paltz. I made a lot of friends and really look forward to starting my 1st year. Anybody else starting college this fall?

[purplehairedwonder]

Not starting, as I'll be a junior in college this year. And I've gotten myself into way too many activities for the fall semester: 16 credits, writing center tutoring, section editing on the newspaper, working, and softball. *falls over* I'm glad I've still got a few weeks before it all starts again.

As for everyone starting, have a blast. College really is awesome. It takes a little getting used to all the new freedom, but it's great.

[D Dubbs]

Yea...I had my summer orientation back in June. I've also been chatting with some people (including my roommate) through the magic of Facebook.

It's weird, though, apparently I'll only have four classes every semester, which is a big change from high school. But then again, college-level classes will be much more difficult than high school classes, and I'll also be doing cross country/track and music too...so I'm sure I'll have my work cut out for me.

[KPTitan]

Uhh....I'm not sure anymore. The least I'm thinking of is taking a few art classes at the local art center, but that's it. And it prolly will be awhile before I do too. If I hadn't experienced traumatic experiences with getting bullied my whole school life, and the colossal amount of stress I suffered from the work, tests, and projects, I would do more.:sad: Yeah, some of you are prolly thinking right now that I'm exaggerating with it, and college students are supposed to be mature enough to not pick on you anymore, but take my word for it and please believe me, my life wasn't exactly all that great from K through 12.

[Grenzer]

Uhh....I'm not sure anymore. The least I'm thinking of is taking a few art classes at the local art center, but that's it. And it prolly will be awhile before I do too. If I hadn't experienced traumatic experiences with getting bullied my whole school life, and the colossal amount of stress I suffered from the work, tests, and projects, I would do more.:sad: Yeah, some of you are prolly thinking right now that I'm exaggerating with it, and college students are supposed to be mature enough to not pick on you anymore, but take my word for it and please believe me, my life wasn't exactly all that great from K through 12.

I'm going to strongly advise you to not give up on education, because it does get better in college. Remember, people are paying a lot of money to go to these schools, so everyone is at least trying to keep things civil and orderly. You'll find trouble if you go looking for it, but the bullies who tend to dominate public schools rarely thrive in a collegiate environment.

[Old Guy]

I'm starting my 4th year in August, but I'm not technically a senior since I'm still a few credits behind. But let me give you freshmen a few suggestions. This website: www.ratemyprofessors.com (http://www.ratemyprofessors.com) is the MOST important tool you'll have in college. Use it and use it wisely.

[Light Lucario]

I'll be starting my second year in late August. I'll also be having only four classes, but I do love how they're all on Tuesdays and Thursdays. That always gave me an extra weekend to relax and get my work done, which is why I still prefer it over having classes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I'm doing well with my credits, but I'm planning on taking some online courses to get some of the other classes, such as Spanish, covered so I won't have to change my course schedule in the spring.

[KPTitan]

I dunno....I'm just more "art-sy" and "hands-on" type of person. Going to college...I don't think isn't ME. Ya know? I think it's rediculous to take a bunch of Calculus, English-Shakespeare type of stuff JUST to be a painter or graphic designer. I'd rather take the art classes at the art center. Actually, this art center is considered a vocational school/art museum. Kinda neat.:) On top of that I do painting and graphic design on my own time at my house...providing that I don't get overtime.

[mgr91686]

I am trying to get the funds up to go, and if I succeed I will be learning all about the Culinary Arts.

[Lavenderpaw]

I'm going to strongly advise you to not give up on education, because it does get better in college. Remember, people are paying a lot of money to go to these schools, so everyone is at least trying to keep things civil and orderly. You'll find trouble if you go looking for it, but the bullies who tend to dominate public schools rarely thrive in a collegiate environment.


This post made my morning. ;)

As for myself,I just got done with my first semester of Summer II and will start fall classes.I took 2 classes this summer and will take 4 classes this Fall.

[KPTitan]

I am trying to get the funds up to go, and if I succeed I will be learning all about the Culinary Arts.

Oh! oh! I know a good place to go to college for Culinary Arts. The Art Institute.:D *face-palm* Dur, big red truck...why didn't I even think of that for what I wanted for my classes...

A representative from the Art Institute in Denver, CO came to my high school in March to give a presentation for us seniors in art classes, and it was really neat. They do dang near EVERYTHING associated with art, including culinary arts, painting, drawing, animation, web design, graphic design, ect. Here's their website:

http://www.artinstitutes.edu/

[Lazerboy5000]

Yea...I had my summer orientation back in June. I've also been chatting with some people (including my roommate) through the magic of Facebook.

It's weird, though, apparently I'll only have four classes every semester, which is a big change from high school. But then again, college-level classes will be much more difficult than high school classes, and I'll also be doing cross country/track and music too...so I'm sure I'll have my work cut out for me.
Same here. I got a tase of campus life, and I got a chance to sing up for classes already, but I'm planing to add one more before classes start.

I didn't get my roommate assignment until middle July, and I haven't contacted him yet. Unfortunatly, he doesn't have a facebook, so I'll have to call him at some point.

Yea, only having 4 (hopefully 5) classes is a huge difference from high school were I've had 8 classes a semester. But the magic of AP Courses helped as I managed to get straight 5's on all my AP's. :D (25 credits in the bank... w00t!)

Meteolorgy will be my major, and I'm also planing on double majoring in Math as well.

I'm also going to be swimming during the school year. And I'm a good swimming, but not a great one. So that's one of the reasons why I chose Valpo as my college, with a population of only 3200 full time students.

I've also already bought my Laptopfrom Best Buy and it was only $900 with a warenty, an optimation package, and Microsoft Office... pretty good deal!

I check in August 23rd, and classes start on the 26th. Only three more weeks. I can't wait!

[Dr.Pepper]

I am starting college in September. Its just a community college so I get to live at home.

[Dr. Daedalus]

A word of advice from a post college individual? Don't spend too much time on the computer in college. Get out there and make new friends, participate in activities, and in general, don't be afraid to... well... enjoy college life.

Trust me, I know what I'm talking about. While I made friends in college and wasn't a shut-in or anything, I spent more time surfing the net than I probably should have (like being on THIS SITE, sigh), was more concerned about my own daily schedule than impromptu plans, didn't participate in too many college-sponsored activities, and in general let a lot of stupid things bug me. Things that, in retrospect, weren't that big of a deal.

I guess what I'm saying is, you only get one shot at college, so why spend it refreshing TZ every 15 seconds? ;)

[Temple Fugate]

A word of advice from a post college individual? Don't spend too much time on the computer in college. Get out there and make new friends, participate in activities, and in general, don't be afraid to... well... enjoy college life.That's pretty much the best and most beneficial part of college. It's even more significant than the courses you study. The friends you make and the contacts you establish will have far-reaching benefits.

My undergrad college experience was fantastic. I'm still in touch with tons of friends even though we rarely or never see each other. However, after starting grad school at a different college, things changed a little and I found it much more difficult to socialize. I blame this on the decentralized school campus (The college owns buildings peppered about the Savannah area, so getting from one building to another requires you to walk far, or take transportation.) and the fact that all of the grad students I met here have ZERO interest in building friendships because of whatever reason. (I guess they figure they already have enough friends. Many even have families of their own to look after.) I made more undergrad friends than I did grad friends. :shrug:

Basically what I mean is, if you're in a dorm, on a proper campus, GET OUT THERE and meet people. If your college is decentralized, do the best you can to at least forge a working relationship with classmates and professors. It's called "networking," and it is SO INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT one can't stress it enough.


I am trying to get the funds up to go, and if I succeed I will be learning all about the Culinary Arts.If you're in the northeast, I recommend checking out Paul Smith's. A friend went there last year and he really enjoyed it.


I am starting college in September. Its just a community college so I get to live at home.This has a number of benefits as well as drawbacks. A lot of my high school friends went to a local CC, but in my opinion it held them back in certain ways. Living at home is great if you're worried about expenses and the like, but personally I am so glad I talked myself out of doing that and going away to a real college. Moving away from home has taught me to become more self-reliant and confident. A lot of the friends who went to community college are still living with their parents seven years later, and in some of their cases I believe it has at least a little bit to do with not being properly motivated to forge their own solo path. College is not only supposed to prepare you for a job, it's supposed to prepare you for life on your own as well.

[FireWarrior]

A word of advice from a post college individual? Don't spend too much time on the computer in college. Get out there and make new friends, participate in activities, and in general, don't be afraid to... well... enjoy college life.

Trust me, I know what I'm talking about. While I made friends in college and wasn't a shut-in or anything, I spent more time surfing the net than I probably should have (like being on THIS SITE, sigh), was more concerned about my own daily schedule than impromptu plans, didn't participate in too many college-sponsored activities, and in general let a lot of stupid things bug me. Things that, in retrospect, weren't that big of a deal.

I guess what I'm saying is, you only get one shot at college, so why spend it refreshing TZ every 15 seconds? ;)



I completely agree with you. I'm starting my senior year this coming fall and to all the incoming freshmen. Remember just one thing.... have fun but be careful, the overwhelming freedom could get to you;) .

[FireStarterLE]

Three years ago around this time I would have been replying to one of these topics saying that I would be attending college. But this year, after I take my three classes in the fall, I can say I'll be finishing up college.

[Old Guy]

Get out there and make new friends, participate in activities, and in general, don't be afraid to... well... enjoy college life.

I agree 100%. I have participated in activities and it IS rewarding. The High School friends of mine who don't participate have yet to make a single friend in college. You see...HS is different than college because you're stuck in that place for 6 hours and everyone has the same schedule. In college everyone has a different schedule and may not be at campus for the same amount of time as you. So in order to make friends you have to get out there.

[KPTitan]

For those of you that plan on going to college though, I encourage you to do it. We just have different...umm...I can't think of a word right now, but I'll say "dreams" for the moment.

[Nel]

The only thing I truly loathed about college was dorming. Luckily, I already knew my roommate beforehand, but our neighbors were the most disrespectful jerks ever. Who the hell plays volleyball in the hallway at 3 in the morning (sober)?

[Cool Blue]

I'll be starting college this fall and very much looking forward to it. Especially moving out of my house and away from the parents whom I do love but I gotta get away from it all. i've already spoken to my roommate as he contacted me, although to be honest I had no intention of contacting him before the school year just out of character. but he seems like an okay dude, and hopefully all will go well. I hope to make friends as I'll be moving pretty far away from most of my high school friends.

[CyberCubed]

I'm done with it. Going into the "real" workforce this fall.

[Ishtar]

A word of advice from a post college individual? Don't spend too much time on the computer in college. Get out there and make new friends, participate in activities, and in general, don't be afraid to... well... enjoy college life.

Trust me, I know what I'm talking about. While I made friends in college and wasn't a shut-in or anything, I spent more time surfing the net than I probably should have (like being on THIS SITE, sigh), was more concerned about my own daily schedule than impromptu plans, didn't participate in too many college-sponsored activities, and in general let a lot of stupid things bug me. Things that, in retrospect, weren't that big of a deal.

I guess what I'm saying is, you only get one shot at college, so why spend it refreshing TZ every 15 seconds? ;)
It's odd because I am a very shy and not so social person, but during orientation for 3 days, I made friends and talked easily. I actually look forward to having a social life in college and getting more involved. Being too much in the shadow was probably my biggest mistake in High School, so I definitely do not want to make the same mistake in college. I think if you are dorming at a college as opposed to commuting, it helps being able to socialize.

[Rud]

im still a year away from college, but still, just asking, how early do you have to know what college you want to go to? (cause i have no idea, in fact, i dont even know what i plan on studying, at all, the only thing i know is that i want to go), and is it better to go far away from home or to stay close.

[Daxdiv]

I'm starting my second year at a community college. I'll be busy for the most part, but I'll try to make friends. Most people in the art classes I took were friendly to me and everyone else, sure there were the elitist snobs, but I along with everyone else, ignored them. Hell my writing class I got along with a few people.

As for hehey problem, my brother went to community college for a year before deciding and finding out he needed to do to become a teacher. In fact it wasn't until my Senior year that I decided to go after something, I'm going for computer animation, but after that I take some courses to work in the pharmaceutical field as my back up parachute plans thanks to my local BOCES center.

[Temple Fugate]

im still a year away from college, but still, just asking, how early do you have to know what college you want to go to? (cause i have no idea, in fact, i dont even know what i plan on studying, at all, the only thing i know is that i want to go), and is it better to go far away from home or to stay close.I began college searching in October of my senior year. By December I had visited the top three colleges on my list, and I applied to one of them early admission. I had also taken two summers' worth of art courses at my local college to get a taste of what the coursework was like.

The deadline for normal admission varies by school, but it's usually a good idea to wait no later than March or April of the year you will be starting. Therefore, starting your search in the summer before your senior year is a good idea. Or at the very least, take time out of your school vacations before Christmas rolls around.

If you don't know exactly what you want to do, you should still find reputable colleges and tour them. You might get an idea for what interests you. Colleges of course offer "undeclared" or "undecided" (in my college it was called "exploratory") majors that will help you experiment with all they have to offer. Community college is great for that sort of thing as well, although as I stated earlier in this thread, I think it has its fair share of drawbacks.

The distance of the school depends on how comfortable you are with living away from home. I was fortunate to find a great school that fit my needs only three hours from home. That way, I was close enough to go home in the event of emergencies, but I wasn't so close that I felt tethered to my parents. For grad school I moved all the way down south, a much bigger step that I definitely wouldn't have been able to handle if it weren't for my experiences at undergrad college.

[Rud]

^^^great advice, so i should start searching now just for colleges and can decide what i wanna do later.



The distance of the school depends on how comfortable you are with living away from home.

thats one of the things thats killing me, on one hand i have a great desire to go as far away from home as possible and be completely independent, but on the other hand i am not at all comfortable with being away from home and on my own (its kind of scary actualy).

[Temple Fugate]

thats one of the things thats killing me, on one hand i have a great desire to go as far away from home as possible and be completely independent, but on the other hand i am not at all comfortable with being away from home and on my own (its kind of scary actualy).I was terrified when I first started. You need to investigate the quality of living on campus (dorm conditions, # of roommates, dining halls) just as thoroughly as the courses they offer. It's definitely helpful to have at least one roommate and a dorm full of kids in the same boat as you. Within a week I had settled comfortably into the college routine. I hear the average for people is usually three weeks, though.

[purplehairedwonder]

I was initially terrified at being on my own as well, but got over it relatively quickly. Within the first week, I had made friend and felt relatively comfortable on my own.

I spent my first semester of college 4 hours away from home, then transferred my second semester to a college across the country. The transfer was relatively painless because I had gotten used to being away from home, though I always had the option of going home my first semester.

Also, start looking early and leave your options open. Because I was looking to play softball in college, we ended up banking on a certain school because the coach wanted me and I loved it after visiting it. However, they didn't offer nearly enough financial aid, and this was in April of my senior year. So it was suddenly a rush to figure out what to do for the fall. I definitely wasn't as happy as I would have been, but I'm pretty satisfied with where I am now. I just goes to show that leaving options open is smart.

[Lazerboy5000]

Wow, everyone has been giving some good advice. Thanks a lot everyone. :anime:

I just got in contact with my roommate over the phone the other day, and I was suprised on how much we have in common... most notably we are both going to be Meteorology majors. That should help a lot.

In fact, the only big difference is that I'm a Packer fan, and he's a Bears fan... but what are you going to do about that. :p

[Lavenderpaw]

I start going full-time this fall at my state university.Summer II wasn't too bad. ;)

[Temple Fugate]

I just got in contact with my roommate over the phone the other day, and I was suprised on how much we have in common... most notably we are both going to be Meteorology majors. That should help a lot.

In fact, the only big difference is that I'm a Packer fan, and he's a Bears fan... but what are you going to do about that. :pIt's possible your college arranged for similar first-year majors to share rooms. My grad college specifically separates majors by floors unless you request a specific room.

My first roommate and I were polar opposites. We first chatted on the phone, then got each other's AIM names and talked a lot in the month before college started. I'll never forget our first AIM chat:

(on the topic of interests)
me: I'm kind of a geek. I like sci-fi and comic books.
me: I also watch a lot of anime.
roommate: Ugh! I hate anime. My younger brother watches it all the time.
roommate: For me, the only thing I'm super into is Dave Matthews Band.
me: Ugh! I hate DMB. My younger brother listens to them all the time.

So there we were. Stuck with our brothers for a year. Potentially troublesome situations like that are actually rather easy to deal with, as long as both roommates realize their situation and make mutual attempts to respect the other. We came out of that year just fine, even though we never became friends or stayed in contact afterwards.

[MC_X]

Joining in the topic pretty late, but yeah, I'll be going to college this fall. I had decided early this year to go to a community college twenty miles away from my home. More than likely I'll go to a four-year university further away from home next year if I can :shrug:.

Recently, however, I've become undecided in what I want to major in. I'm very certain that I want to deal with something in either English or History. The first major I seriously looked into was public relations, but now I wonder if I have the personal skills needed for the job. I also want to go into a job that won't leave me miserable.

[Lazerboy5000]

It's possible your college arranged for similar first-year majors to share rooms. My grad college specifically separates majors by floors unless you request a specific room.

My first roommate and I were polar opposites. We first chatted on the phone, then got each other's AIM names and talked a lot in the month before college started. I'll never forget our first AIM chat:

(on the topic of interests)
me: I'm kind of a geek. I like sci-fi and comic books.
me: I also watch a lot of anime.
roommate: Ugh! I hate anime. My younger brother watches it all the time.
roommate: For me, the only thing I'm super into is Dave Matthews Band.
me: Ugh! I hate DMB. My younger brother listens to them all the time.

So there we were. Stuck with our brothers for a year. Potentially troublesome situations like that are actually rather easy to deal with, as long as both roommates realize their situation and make mutual attempts to respect the other. We came out of that year just fine, even though we never became friends or stayed in contact afterwards.
Owch, sound like it was a tough time. And I do think my college did set it up to some degree. Afterall, there are only 3200 full time students, so it's probably a lot easier to keep track of them all than if it were a 10000+ student body.

I haven't discussed anime with him yet, however I did mention that I still play Pokemon Gold Version, and he said that he didn't get into the games all that much, but there was no sound of hatered towards the series. ;)

[Temple Fugate]

Owch, sound like it was a tough time.No, fortunately it wasn't. My point is that as long as both roommates attempt to understand each other and respect each other, even two people with completely different tastes can tolerate living together. It involves compromises from both sides, but think of it as a big lesson in developing your people skills.

That said, good luck with your future roommate.

[En Sabah Nur]

I am done with my Associate degree and will be going for my Bachelor's degree in Computer Information Systems.

The one advice I have for collage freshmen is, when picking out your major, make sure its the one you want. Find out about all the classes you will be required to take for that major. Make sure you can take them all. Switching majors is a pain, a lot of headache and wasted time and money. before choosing a major, do a lot of research about it, what classes you have to take and what career options you will have once you are done with it.

[J. B. Warner]

I'm not starting, but I'm going back after a one-year break to get a degree in Animation and Motion Graphics. Finally, I'll be studying something I really want to do!

[FightingDreamer]

Yup! Did my orientation a couple months back, and I start classes in two weeks. The best part is that, while it's not a community college, it's only 20-25 minutes away from my house, so I probably won't have to get a dorm at all.

(For those curious, I'm going to be attending Austin Peay State University. Anyone else been there?)

[silverfox1027]

Nope, going to be a college junior in the fall.

And a while back, someone asked when you should start searching. Ideally, you should start compiling a list at the end of your junior year and then spend that summer narrowing things down. However, starting in August (see: now) is enough time to establish a pretty good list of choices. However, it's really important to start no-later than August, as many schools have early October deadlines that can (and should) be taken advantage of after you have selected your top choices.

Speaking personally, though, I didn't really start my college search until mid-September, and didn't complete all of my applications until the week before Christmas (which is actually a few weeks before the usual December 31 deadline, but that's only because I went out of the country that year so I absolutely had to mail everything out before I left). In the end, everything worked out for me just fine and I was able to attend my top choice school, but I probably would've saved myself a lot of stress in December if I started the whole college application process a little bit sooner.

[Dr. Daedalus]

I hate to sound like a know-it-all here, but I have another piece of advice you may find useful, for those starting.

Don't spend all your time with your roommate. I made that mistake in my freshman year and by November I was sick of him and his quirks. Which was really unfortunate, because we got along great the first few months and really, he's not a bad guy. But living with him, having a couple classes with him, and eating with him at meals, it was too much. Ironically, we got along fine in the other years when we weren't living together anymore.

So vary your friends circle a bit. Don't avoid your roommate or anything, but don't spend all your time around him or her. It's a balancing act.

[Lazerboy5000]

Good advice Speedy.

Well, I finished unpacking, and I'm pretty settled in. Classes start on Tuesday, and I'm really excited.

Wow... there's just so much to take in. I can't wait to start meeting new people and offically starting my Meteorology courses.

Thanks for all the great advice everyone! :)

[Leviathan]

Classes start Monday. My roommate is sort of a keep-to-himself sort of guy, so I don't think I'll have too hard of a time with being around only him.

I'm more intimidated by the coursework, truth be told.

[D Dubbs]

Been at college for about a week now (athletes come a week early). It's fun so far, and we've pretty much been doing something every night. But tonight our party got busted by the frickin' student Room Assistances (I think that's what they're called, anyway). Luckily, they didn't record us as drinking - they put us down as having too many people in the room instead - but I'm still pretty pissed that I have something on my record before classes even start.

My next door neighbor is pretty drunk too right now. Me and my roommate will probably have to pick him up later tonight and drag him back to bed, just like we did last night when he was wasted. :sweat:

[Mr. Pedro]

Yes I am starting...........

My 5th year of this college business.....and I'm still not sure what for, other than "well it gets me out of the house for a bit."

.........I feel rather ancient right now. v_v

[sparkykandy]

Classes started a week ago for me. Economics and Logistics both look to be interesting, and the rest I'll just have to bear through because I have to take them. Though, I do need to be absolutely sure of what I want to major in sometime before the end of this semester if I want to be on track of graduating by the end of senior year.

This year is also the first year I'm in an apartment and also without a roommate. Let's say I love it. The advantages of being in an apartment versus a dorm outweigh the disadvantages in my opinion.

Anyways, I wouldn't worry so much about what major you're be going into in your early years as much as what college (as in College of Business, Liberal Arts, etc.). There's a chance that you'll have to take a bunch of different courses specific to your college, and they'll give you an idea of what the different majors are like.

[Dudley]

I hate to sound like a know-it-all here, but I have another piece of advice you may find useful, for those starting.

Don't spend all your time with your roommate. I made that mistake in my freshman year and by November I was sick of him and his quirks. Which was really unfortunate, because we got along great the first few months and really, he's not a bad guy. But living with him, having a couple classes with him, and eating with him at meals, it was too much. Ironically, we got along fine in the other years when we weren't living together anymore.

So vary your friends circle a bit. Don't avoid your roommate or anything, but don't spend all your time around him or her. It's a balancing act.

Something similar happen to me. I met this girl in college and we shared a class together we were also in the same dorm, but we didn't see each other often so we enjoyed running into each other more.
But then in one semester we had all of our classes together, and we both got to see each others faults.

I think college is great. It's a lot better than grade school. There's a lot of nice people. There are some people who aren't pleasant but they are a lot easier to avoid than in high school.

[Temple Fugate]

I think college is great. It's a lot better than grade school. There's a lot of nice people. There are some people who aren't pleasant but they are a lot easier to avoid than in high school.Not if they keep showing up to every anime club meeting. :mad:

But seriously, by and large the students you will encounter at college are much better behaved. There are still a few kids I've seen who sit in the back and chat, or make fun of the teacher, or whatever, but that's more the rarity than the norm. It's amazing how people will start acting more mature when they're the ones paying for their education and/or seriously working on a career.

And Dubbs, glad you're having fun, but just remember once classes start, there's a time and a place for that and it's easy to go overboard. Too much wasted time at the start of a semester = Not enough time to work on finals later that semester.

[Lazerboy5000]

Been at college for about a week now (athletes come a week early). It's fun so far, and we've pretty much been doing something every night. But tonight our party got busted by the frickin' student Room Assistances (I think that's what they're called, anyway). Luckily, they didn't record us as drinking - they put us down as having too many people in the room instead - but I'm still pretty pissed that I have something on my record before classes even start.

My next door neighbor is pretty drunk too right now. Me and my roommate will probably have to pick him up later tonight and drag him back to bed, just like we did last night when he was wasted. :sweat:
LOL, what a great story. The swim team is having a picnic tomorrow night, and that should be fun.

But right not I'm going to go to a bbq becuase there's going to be FREE FOOD!

[Azrael24]

wow theres a lot of people starting collge this year. i start tomorrow, im excited but nervous at the same time. im majoring in law

[garfield15]

I'm starting on Wednesday and I gotta tell you I'm pretty nervous. I don't exactly know how to describe it but I guess the best way is saying "I'm trembling with excitement." I'm not dorming since my school is only a half-hour train ride away and I don't think I needed the extra 3000 dollar financial strain. I know one person starting with me so that's a bonus. Except she's doing graphic design and I'm probably doing computer science so there's no way we're going to have any classes together. Also my parents are moving in a few months but they're letting me stay with the house so yay me! Bachelor pad FTW!

But still. It's weird you know. I mean I'm going to start a completely new life. I'm nervous out of my mind but excited beyond belief. And I can keep my job at my library (Thank god!) so I'm happy about that. I think my only fear is that I won't be able to make friends. I mean I'm a pretty friendly person and have quite a few great friends but this is college. A new environment. I just hope that I can, you know, meet some people. And I truly hope that college is different than high school. But the way people describe it everywhere, I probably have nothing to worry about.

My school has a sci-fi/animation/gaming club and that's like 3 benefits in one so I'm probably going to lean towards that area. So all I gotta ask is any advice for a college newcomer?

[Ishtar]

I moved in Thurs, and now start classes tomorrow. I've actually been spending more time with my friends from orientation than being in my room or with my roommate, especially since my roommate is a senior. So far the social aspect has been great, and I think I am making up for the mistake of not socializing that much back in High School. However, I am nervous about the actual academic aspect which I am starting in the morning. Hopefully, I'll be fine.

[purplehairedwonder]

So all I gotta ask is any advice for a college newcomer?Get involved with campus activities. If nothing else, it gets you out of your room and helps you meet other people. I'm on my school's softball team, so they're like my family. I also work on the newspaper and in the school's writing center, so I meet a lot of people that way.

At the same time, don't go overboard (which I think I may have for the semester, but time will tell). You have to make sure you have enough time to get homework done and study--yeah, there's more to college than the social aspect :p

Time management is a big one. I always tell people not to procrastinate when I'm a master of that myself. I've gotten through the last two years of college that way, but it really wears on you. It's my goal every semester (and this coming semester is no different) to actually start on things ahead of time and when I don't, I always regret it. Prioritize assignments to get everything done on time; the most urgent things should be done first and such. Staying on top of things is the best way to do well.

Also, try to stay organized. I'm an uber organized person, so I've been known to help my friends get organized. But it really helps when you've got a deadline and a million things to do. Not knowing where anything is that you need when you're pressed for time is never a good feeling.

And take advantage of your school's resources. Things like a writing center for helping edit papers, language labs, or math and science tutors are great things the school offers for use. And make use of your professors' office hours. They are there for you during those times, and if those don't work for you, they are generally more than willing to set up an appointment to talk if you need help. You just have to make the effort because they won't come to you.

College is really great, so I hope you all enjoy. I start my junior year in the morning. Woo...

[Cool Blue]

Well I leave this wednesday morning, and I think that the best way to describe my feelings are anxious. I just want it to come and let me throw myself in cause the suspense is killing me. Majority of my friends have already gone to school so I only have 2 left to see right now but we're all ready. My two biggest concerns are being on good terms with my roommate and keeping up the quality in my art and not stand out as the guy who sucks. Is there anyone else here who's doing an art major and had any doubts about their work or able to say how much they improved after college started?

[Temple Fugate]

Is there anyone else here who's doing an art major and had any doubts about their work or able to say how much they improved after college started?I'll PM you my grad thesis as soon as it's finished tomorrow. It's all about personal creativity. ;)

Seriously, the one thing you absolutely cannot do is feel discouraged by comparing your work someone you think is better. When I started art school three years ago, I would see people modeling 3D characters on computers and drawing in sketchbooks and they were amazingly talented. Being among other artists has a way of inspiring you. Just don't get hung up on how bad your work is. There will always be room for improvement. The trick is to build up the courage to expand your limitations while developing your own style.

[Lazerboy5000]

LOL, I saw someone today that went to High School with me and I was so suprised. I didn't know that we went to the same college. :D

I found out that he lives only a couple floors above me, so I'll have to visit him every once in awhile.