Anna Ortiz is a junior journalism major and writes "Common Nonsense" for the Daily News. Her views do not necessarily agree with those of the newspaper. Write to Anna at aeortiz@bsu.edu.
With new territory comes a new “what the heck do I do?” slew of hurdles.
It’s OK to wait after a few classes to get books. It may save you an armload of books and a chunk of change. The reading list and syllabuses aren’t always on target. Some professors may need only a portion of the books they say are required for the class, and to save you cash some professors provide the material online.
It’s not OK to grab the most expensively priced books without looking around or even considering a used or rental copy. Some stores may have your history textbook for $200, while other online options may be selling for half that price. Even if your parents are footing the bill, they worked hard to get that cash. Be smart about purchasing decisions, it will pay off in the long run to get into the habit of being thrifty.
It’s OK to be honest with yourself about those 8 a.m. classes. If you can barely roll out of bed to go to the bathroom at that time, there’s little chance you will be up and ready to jog for your physical conditioning course. If being present requires you to schedule your first class at noon, then do it while you still can.
It’s not OK to be late every day for the class or barely make appearances. It will not get you any favor with the professor and may result in having to take the course again. Future jobs may require early hours, but using class time as a crash course isn’t the best route to break the habit.
It’s OK to not adjust right away. When first moving into the residence halls, it may be a shock going from having your own room to sharing one. It may be weird at first, but take time to get to know your roommate and get into the routine of coexistence. Be open to their lifestyle, be clear about your own and give yourselves a few weeks (or a month) to reach a comfortable compromise.
It’s not OK to rush into roommate-dom on your own terms. No one likes to be imposed upon, so don’t crown yourself lord of the room upon entering. If your roommate is a clean-freak, try to be a little more tidy (or at least keep the mess on your side). If he or she enjoys living in a nest of their own clothes and lets dishes pile up, for your own good don’t tackle it with righteous indignation and antibacterial wipes. Their mother may approve, but they may not. Let it go and don’t resort to nagging. If their crumpled underwear starts creeping over to your side or microbiology students begin to use your room as a field study, have a respectful talk about your mutual living space ... at a safe distance.
It’s OK to not succeed at first. College is tough even for high school honor roll students, so don’t feel like a failure when you’re overwhelmed. If you have a panic attack or shed some tears in front of your academic adviser or professor, don’t be ashamed. This is the process of entering adulthood, and like adolescence, it can get ugly. Freshman year was a recurring mantra of “I can’t do this,” but eventually you learn to juggle whatever comes at you. Learn to laugh, learn to plan ahead and lean on friends along the way.
It’s not OK to completely blow off freshman year. Some people barely go to classes their first year and will eventually face the consequences. Instead of preparing for graduation they will scramble to make up credits and gather funds to support an extra year of schooling. Take classes seriously and keep track of your grades. Don’t cheat yourself by wasting a year for nothing.
