Hello, College!

[Barb Gordon]

I thought it'd be a great idea to have a thread specifically for all of us starting college this year. We can shares the first week experiences or so with each other, compare notes, and also help give juniors and seniors in high school an idea of what to expect for their first college year. So I'll get things started: my school, Chapman, as a full week of orientation. It began today and will run till sunday, then we start school the next day...oh fun,lol. Orientation is going on right now....so why am I here? Well, I had breakfast there with my mom and we both got signed in. I got a fun little bag filled with all sorts of info, even got a t-shirt! But the activities don't really start till about 2 in the afternoon, so mom and I came back home till then. I'm going to take a look at the sororities later on. Still undecided whether I'll have the time to be in one. Might join the Crew team, rowing for those that aren't sure what that is, it sounds like a fun new thing to try out! I've played clarinet and been in the band for about 6-7 years and I didn't think I'd be able to continue it in school once college started since it's not my major,minor or anything. But I found out that I can audition during the week or something to join one of the music groups, like orchestra, winds or jazz, so I think I'll give it a go. It would be so weird to just drop music altogether.....of course now I'm kicking myself over the fact that I never ONCE practiced my clarinet this entire summer....boy am I screwed for this audition. Well, that's it so far for my first...well, beginning of my first day of orientation.

~Barb

[JohnCrichton]

Best of luck, Barb!

Get ready for some of the most scary, wonderful and life changing years of your life!

College is awesome. ^_^

[Chris Sanders MSX]

I'm age appropriate to be going into college but nooo..I'm still in HS. Going into my senior year.. Why did I have to be born in october ?

Indeed Barb, congradulations and try to report to us what your first day is like. I'm really looking forward to college, and it'd be nice to see how someone reacts to there first day.

[czyznyck99]

Ahhh, the first day I never had. I was in a six-week orientation starting the day after I graduated. Sigh.

I have a feeling your post would have been a little more...animated if you were actually verbally talking to us :D. Have fun, Barb!

Laaaater.

[TimTwoFace]

*HUGS* Ooooooo Babs, I hope your first day went super! I remember my first day...I didn't have as much fun, since I was stuck in an orientation group that didn't involve any of my high school buddies. It was alright...but man, Chapman's week-long orientation sounds a lot more fun than my 3 hour tour.

Anyway, congrats! I know it's gonna be a blast...college is SOOOO your place to be. :)

-Tim
(who just realized he made a Gilligan's Island pun.)

[Barb Gordon]

October Chris? pfft, try December for me! I could be a younger sophmore in college right now. Well, the rest of the first day was loads of fun....*gasp* I was actually too tired afterwards when I got home to even check my email....boy did that freak mom out,lol. I met a lot of nice people....the majority of whose names I no longer remember. Talked with a few hot guys ;) . One I was really trying to hit it off with, he was super nice and all, but wasn't much the talker. I'd ask him questions, he'd answer.....that was about it...got boring after a while, and his looks weren't enough to keep me interested. Oh well....still many more guys to check out.....and I haven't even met sophmores on up! I've played an instrument since 6th grade, but because music has nothing to do with my major, minor, or anything at all, I was really depressed that I would basically drop music altogether once college started. But non music majors can still be in the orchestra, band, etc...and even though I haven't touched my clarinet all summer, I'm going to audition for one of the music groups a week from today. I wouldn't mind if I even got last chair, it'd just be great to still be in a music atmosphere. Can't wait! Well, the things I want to do today don't begin for another three hours or so, but I've got to go run errands with mom, see ya! Word of advice for those who have yet to go to college...try everything. Even if you're a little tired or not that sure, just do it, because in the end you'll have a heck of a fun time.

~Barb

[JohnCrichton]

My first dorm room was on the 10th floor of a place called, Ogg.

I remember one of the first thing my roommate and I did was sit on our desks and just.... look down below as the TONS of hot women just... falling out of ever nook and cranny of the campus!

Twas truely a site to behold...

Of course later that year he stole the woman I was in love with and we never spoke again after that, but that's besides the point.

:D

Best of times, worst of times...... :rolleyes:

[RogueMartian]

I'm sure you'll love it Barb, 4 warnings:

-Don't drink if it smells like almonds
-Beware the Freshman 15
-Get to know the people who make lunch at the dining halls!!
-Be the scary roommate, or you will be the scared one.

[Nightflower]

Not starting until 7 days :) But I'll be sure to post a report when I get there.

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

I commute. :)

[Barb Gordon]

Commuting rocks! And Rogue...dare I ask what the Freshman 15 is? Okay, I was pretty laid back for the second day of orientation. There wasn't much to check out, or at least things I wanted to check out, for the whole day. I came in later, had lunch and met up with some other kids in my major and talked with the head people in that department. There was all of...four of us,lol. I know there are lots of kids who aren't going to orientation, but come on, only 4 of us show up to mee with the department people?! But it was fun, more one and one talking...I so can't wait to study abroad in my senior year! There were a few other things today, but I'm feeling a bit ill, and tomorrow's going to be a very busy/long day, so I decided to call it quits early. So that's my second day of advice: don't go overboard, no "under"board. You should really try and do as much as you can, get to know people, try new things. But if you're feeling tired or out of it, better to just take it easy and save it for another day then totally burn yourself out or something.

~Barb

[gtracer72]

I am a commuter too!! I love it, it saves my parents a ton of money. Oh, and the freshman 15 is freshmen gaining at least 15 pounds, and sometime even more. Don't worry about it though, just do what I did when I was a Freshman, go to the gym about 4 times a week, and watch what you eat. Also, limit alochol consumption, there are a ton of empty calories in it, and it put the pounds on you.

When I met with my department peolpe, there were only five kids, including me!!.

Remember that it is your freshman year. So this means that it is a review of your senior year in high school (or atleast that's what it was at my college). Anyway, have a wonderful year, and do your best.

[Barb Gordon]

Day three...major fun! I'd only planned on staying till early afternoon, but I made some friends and decided to stick around, great choice. I hung out with new people, checked out the club/organization fair, and some of the seminars I attended were quite helpful. Plus I'm going to a beach party tomorrow which I had originally decided not to go to, glad I changed my mind! Right now I'm trying to figure out the best way to manage time when I'm not in class. I have a part time job right now, but mom would prefer I got one at school. That way I don't have to worry about parking for classes if I'm already at school working. Also I want to join Crew, it looks like loads of fun, but the way my schedule stands now, I can't do it. It meets mon-fri from 6-8 in the morning for practice, and does meets on Saturdays. So I can't decide whether to try and make room for it, or to just forget it. Also, I need to try and not overdo things like I was known to do during high school. My focus should always be on my classes, and not trying to get into as many clubs and activities that pique my interest as possible, so I guess the best thing to do is to just take a step back and breath for a bit before making any major decisions. Any suggestions or words of advice from other college students?

~Barb

[gtracer72]

Don't overload your schedule. I took 14 credit hours my freshman year (both semesters). This will allow you to get used to college life. Then next year, bump up the hours (I am taking 16). Don't try to be in every club, organization, and sorority. I didn't even join a frat (mostly because the dues at my college were on average 300 a semester). Focus on your classes, work hard, and it will pay off later on. Crew and sororities won't get you a job later on in life. A degree will.

[Nightflower]

Sweeet... I'm about 15 pounds underweight ;)

What does commuting mean?

[Barb Gordon]

commuting means to commute :p . As in, you live at how, and commute, to school...you have to drive to school basically, as opposed to the residents, those living on campus, who just walk to school. I'm taking 15 credits, and as much as I'd like to joing a sorority, because I know it would be a blast, I think most likely I wont. I would prefer to pay attention to school my freshman year, and finding a part time job on campus, and getting more involved in acting. I can't do that if I'm a club and/or sorority, at least not without my grades slipping and me going insane in like the middle of the year,lol. I mean, I've got at least three more years ahead of me to join clubs and a sorority.

~Barb

[Ramso]

My first day is Monday...

I'm awfully nervous...

[Zechs]

College is pretty cool you get to meet nwew people and new experincse as well not all of them art good thought-_-*. But if you putin the hard work and make good friends I'm sure you wil enjoy it.

[Chris Sanders MSX]

October Chris? pfft, try December for me! I could be a younger sophmore in college right now.


Your one of those people that lied about there age or went to a catholic school first... right ?

I had this friend who's going into college this year who used to always tease me about me being older but him being the one going to college.

[Barb Gordon]

Originally posted by Ramso
My first day is Monday...

I'm awfully nervous...

*hug* that's my first day too. I'm not nervous so much as I'm anxious. Of course, I LOVE school, so that's to be expected from me...I'm a freak for those not familiar with me,lol. Just relax, if possible, and have fun. College is a learning experience, a time for changes. And hey, there are lots of us who will be starting college this year too, so there are peeps you can share things with.

~Barb

[Galaxia]

I felt the same way last year, Barb. I was soooo nervous when I started college - I could barely sleep that night! But, the year went by really fast I'm starting my 2nd year of college on the 3rd. I'm still kinda nervous though, but not as much as I was last year ^.^

The best of luck for all those starting (or returning to) school - whether it be college, high school, junior high, middle school - this year! :D :yakko:

[Barb Gordon]

Wow, orientation has already come to a close! Well, sorta. Tomorrow is the actual last day, but nothing's really happening, at least nothing I want to go over for, and I'd really rather stay home and veg one last time! So today was a great way to end my orientation. I met up with some friends and went on today's trip to the beach. It was great, myself and three other girls hung out, sun tanned, played in the water, and wandered around. Even though I live in Cali, I hadn't been to the beach in ages, and it was great to go with some new friends. One of the girls and I got majorly wacked by a wave, actually two. We didn't dive through it fast enough as it crashed and we got sucked under....man is that a freaky experience, especially when your eyes are closed. Then we we both fought back to the surface, we came up just in time to get nailed by another. We managed it back to shore and her top was coming off. Seriously it was the funniest thing ever. She was laughing and holding her top close to her till she could get it tied back on. We got a kick outta the fact that no one, especially guys, offered to help her with it, and when I glanced around I found guys checking her out. It was so dang funny. We got back, showered and got all decked out in 50's styled outfits fot the 50's themed casino/dance party that was tonight. I've got an actual Pink Lady's jacket which I wore, got compliments on it all night, and it was a lot of fun.....well, not as much as I would have liked. The fake gambling was fun for like an hour, and checking out what others wore was pretty entertaining too. But the music sucked. Myself and a few others were really hoping they'd play 50's music or something. No go there. They kept playing break dancing music, and for most of the time on the dance floor there would be a huge crowd watching just two people break dancing. How boring! So after hanging around a bit I got bored and bailed. Still, all in all it was a great way to end my 4 day orientation, know the campus better and make some new friends. I can't wait for Monday!

~Barb

[TimTwoFace]

All I can say, Babs, is that you sure seemed to have a fun time. Man, my university has a beach ON CAMPUS and we never had fun orientations like that. (Or, maybe we did, but no one ever told me about them...) :rolleyes:

Have a good final day of relaxing before the rest of your life! ;)

-Tim

[Nightflower]

Right now, I'm in the midst of packing, and lord, I have no idea how I'm going to fit everything in the car! >.<

Pretty nervous. I'm not giving university much thought, and if I try, I get overwhelmed by all the dates and things I should keep in mind (Everyone keeps telling me that writing is very important in university, that it's not like high school, but I don't *really* know what they mean). Orientation for me is September 3-6 :)

Taking commerce. My schedule sucks. However, I'm taking a couple of fun courses- "Introduction to Greek Mythology" and "Chinese Philosophies". Those are only to get my humanities requirement.

4 more days till I move...

[Barb Gordon]

First week at Chapman: Day One

*dances* I'm in college I'm in college I'm in college. Scared? You should be, I LOVE school....saying that used to freak my friends out in high school,hehe. But I'm just so excited! I got up, got dressed, mom took a picture of me for my first day of school (she does this every year), and I booked it down the freeway. Traffic was good and I was actually able to find a parking spot. I parked, wandered around, added another class to my schedule and found my way here, to the computer labs! *big eyes* there were so many computers not being used, what a crime. But this is so awesome! Now I have an awesome reason to get to school like two-three hours early besides wanting to find a parking spot, getting online! It's so much fun. Well my first class is in 30 minutes, so I'll wander around TZ for another 20 :D, see you around!

~Barb

[Weatherman]

*group hug* Good to see those of you starting college are having a good time. :)


Word of warning about sororities and frats, be very very careful when pledging. More often then not, pledging involves the consumption or large quatities of alcohol in a short amount of time. My campus has lot two students in the past year to incidents like that. I don't want to hear in the news about anyone here drinking themselves six feet under.


Now that I'm done with the gloom and doom pronouncement, have a great time. College will be a signifigant learnign expirience, kids like High School raised to the 10th power. You'll probably have to deal with at least one broken heart over the next 4+ years, classes that suck, professors that just have it in for you for some reason, and all of the other little tribulations that go with college. Th answer Nightflower's question about writing, it will be a much bigger part of your overal grade in college, seeing as you will have to type up many many more papers. My writing centered classes average about 5 papers a semester, ranging from 4 pages all the way up to 10+ page rsearch asignments that will only be getting larger. :( Even non-writing centered classes involve a paper or two usually.

Also, don't eat beef in the dining halls, unless you see it being cooked before your very eyes, and even then, avoid it if it's ground. Campus beef is nasty stuff.

[James]

Glad it's going to planned, Barb *hugs*. Knew you'd enjoy it.

Crikey, so many college starters... I start in two weeks (Sep 15th), so everyone will be so well settled so by the time I post my starting thread you'll probably just just read it and remark; 'Pfft, what a silly boy - what's there to be nervous about?' :)

Well, I'll be in student accomodation either on site or close by (preferable on campus, but not confirmed). Nervous? Not yet, still trying to clear debts the best I can so I'm not thinking too deeply about it yet... not sure what to take though.. TV? Need one for my games and video at least that requires £100 TV license.. Hmm. PC definately. Brand new Buffy poster for the wall... HiFi? Doubt it. I'll probably buy some better PC speakers and run my CD walkman through the line in! I want to have a sound system still at home when I occasionally return (I'm not that far from home!)...

Ooh, talking about it is making me a little nervous. Need to buy some more art equipment - or should I just buy it there? I don't know...

Anyway, enough about me. Good luck newbies! I'll along very soon!

[Garibaldi]

Well, I restarted school this last Wednesday. Seeing as I haven't been in school for about two years, I guess I can post here.

ULM is a far cry from West Texas, where I'm from. It's too humid, and the town is SMALL. It's hard to find software or DVDs...

School is going alright. Classes are interesting for the most part, and the Mass Comm program here is quite good. It is nationally acredited. They have a Media Production department, which is where my intrest lies.

[Chris Sanders MSX]

Originally posted by Weatherman
*group hug* Good to see those of you starting college are having a good time. :)

Word of warning about sororities and frats, be very very careful when pledging. More often then not, pledging involves the consumption or large quatities of alcohol in a short amount of time. My campus has lot two students in the past year to incidents like that. I don't want to hear in the news about anyone here drinking themselves six feet under.



Aw crud. Are you serious ? I don't drink at all. Would they make it a requirement to drink ? Cause that might mean no frat for me next year. I would most likely wind up dead myself considering that my ability to handle it will be low because i don't even drink caffeine.

[Barb Gordon]

A requirement? Chris, you do realize that when most people pledge that they are 18,19, and that even though there is drinking....it's ILLEGAL. They can't exactly make it a requirement. I don't have that problem at my college. For one, I'm too busy this year to think about a sorority, not even going to check one out till my sophmore year. And second, it's a small campus, there are only 5 sororities, and they don't even have houses....kind of hard to do the binge drinking and all that without a place to do it....plus this is a liberal arts, christian college, so I would hope it was have an even less likely chance of having a lot of drinking. Not to say there isn't plenty of drinking at parties off campus and all.

Well my first day kicked so much rear, it was great. I had such a blast in the World Literature II class, can't wait to start reading the assignment for tonight, Japanese was just dang hilarious-the teacher is majorly cool-, and my freshman foundations class, thought the more tame of the three, was still enjoyable. We're starting with The Odyessy, wooo! Also added two more "classes". And the reason for the " " is because though I get credit for the course, it's not really a class. See I can actually take music lessons, and they count as a class, how awesome is that?! I'm not a music major, not even my minor, but I've been involved with band since junior high, and it's such a major part of me that I just couldn't drop it once college started. So I can continue lessons for clarinet and piano like I did in High School, I'm auditioning this thursday to join one of the bands/orchestras, and tomorrow I'm adding a music class to my schedule, small jazz ensemble, where I can learn improvization and a few other fun jazz things. And I can't beleive it's only been one day! So yeah, that's been the first day, recap: school rocks, and that's all for now.

~Barb

[Maxie Zeus]

Wow, Barb. I'm so happy to hear that you're enjoying it. :D

[Weatherman]

I'm just realying the general atmosphere from here at UMD. Most of our frats and sororities have their own houses on and off campus, and despite the illegality of much that occurs there, it still happens, alot. Just be careful. Not all frats and sororities require drinking and all that junk to get in, but a good number here do. Just be careful and do not do anything you're uncomortable with. It's not worth sacrificing anything for admision to one of those groups. Join the anime club insteed. It's free, no requirements, and you get to watch free anime! :D:D:D:D

[Nightflower]

Originally posted by Weatherman
I'm just realying the general atmosphere from here at UMD. Most of our frats and sororities have their own houses on and off campus, and despite the illegality of much that occurs there, it still happens, alot. Just be careful. Not all frats and sororities require drinking and all that junk to get in, but a good number here do. Just be careful and do not do anything you're uncomortable with. It's not worth sacrificing anything for admision to one of those groups. Join the anime club insteed. It's free, no requirements, and you get to watch free anime! :D:D:D:D

Is there any reason why I should join a sorority first-year? No, I'm really asking ^_^ What are the advantages?

[Weatherman]

Not that I can really think of, and you don't just join, they come to you to ask you to join. Interesting system that Greek System is.

[Barb Gordon]

A sorority or a fraternity is a great way to get involved with the community, meet people and have fun. You'll make lasting friendships, get to do community service and what not, have parties, and have great connections depending on whose in your sorority or frat. It's a fun experience for college, though not everyone does it. I may or may not do it, my sister did, and through her I was able to get a sense of what the Greek life is all about. And yes, it is the house that chooses you. You have what's called Rush Week, where those interested in joining a sorority or frat go around to the different houses and experience them, learn about what they are actually about, and see which one you might join. Then you're asked, normally, to list in order of preference your top three choices. At the same time, the houses are making bids for the Rushees. The house you want may want you, and they may not. But being part of a house a lot of fun and a life long experience, it gets especially fun when you go alumni. But, not all Greek's shall we say, are good. Some houses do not uphold the ideals the way they should, they party, drink, and throw the Greek life into a very bad light.
*yawn* the one downfall of going back to school....I have to remember to make time now for homework! I love doing it....but at the same time I realize that regardless of whether I want to do it or not, it has to get done, and within a certain time period!

~Barb

[Psilon]

I am going to university, but I think fraternities and sororities only exist in America. I don't think they exist in Canada, I think we here in Canada just get piss drunk with friends...

[Nightflower]

Originally posted by Psilon2011
I am going to university, but I think fraternities and sororities only exist in America. I don't think they exist in Canada, I think we here in Canada just get pissed drunk with friends...

You live in Toronto, right? Do you go to U of T?

[Psilon]

Originally posted by Nightflower


You live in Toronto, right? Do you go to U of T?


Nah, I'm going to waterloo, though a whole bunch of my friends are going to U of T. What program are u going into...I may know some ppl in ur program.

[Failure]

Ooh late to the thread.

Sounds like you're having a great time Barb! College is lots of fun, just wait til the first set of midterms come up, you'll simply be bathing in happiness and joy ;).

Good luck to you and Nightflower and SJJ and everyone else who are heading in anew this year! It's a big adjustment to make at first, but you'll all be cool no time.

One lil tip, I'd keep my schedule relatively light and flexible. Definitely do not overload. Total freedom is a dangerous thing. Time management is something you'll have to figure out as you go. It seems simple, but it's deceptive.

Oh yeah, and go to your classes! I made the mistake of not doing so my first semester. Key word there: mistake ;) .

[Nightflower]

Originally posted by Psilon2011



Nah, I'm going to waterloo, though a whole bunch of my friends are going to U of T. What program are u going into...I may know some ppl in ur program.

Commerce, staying at Woodsworth College.

Couple of my friends are going to Waterloo :)

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

Originally posted by Psilon2011
I am going to university, but I think fraternities and sororities only exist in America. I don't think they exist in Canada, I think we here in Canada just get piss drunk with friends...

If there are fraternities and sororities in Canada, they aren't easy to find. I guess the various clubs are the closest thing to them.

But if you find a sorority you want to join, make sure all the members aren't named "Jane." ;) :p

[Psilon]

Originally posted by Nightflower


Commerce, staying at Woodsworth College.

Couple of my friends are going to Waterloo :)

Sorry don't know much about UT. All I know is downtown campus and scarborough campus...I know a person who is taking economics (thats commerce right? :confused: ) in the downtown campus...I think...

I think my main problem with U of T is that I live in Toronto, and I would have to live with my parents...not saying that my parents aren't nice ppl its just that I'd like to break free for a little while...

Another problem I have is that most of your friends will live in Toronto, and so you won't see much of them outside school, well not as much as other universities.

I know a person who will be going to second year this year i think in scarborough campus...i don't know if different campuses take different courses...my friend who did it said the course is very mathematical and calculus is extremly important.

btw, are any of your friends going to engineering in waterloo?

[Samurai Kat]

Well I'm back for a new semseter of college and I got alot to do.

[DerekPowers]

wow, its really great to hear all you fellow (or soon to be) college students' stories. i myself will be moving back to the dorms this sunday, and im trying to enjoy my final two days of summer.

barb gordon, your making this SENIOR get all nostalgic about my orientaion week and first days of college. but sounds like your really looking at college w/ the right perspective.

well im actually really nervous because im getting a new roommate since my old roommate was dead-set on getting a single for his senior year, so im kind of excited and nervous at the same time. actually, i think its a good thing cause i feel like a freshman again, all nervous about meeting my new roommmate. oh well, ill be sure to post back when i move in sunday. good luck all!!! peace!!