Courtney McClain
Be Social
Meeting new people just might be one of the scariest aspects of being a college freshman, but it can be one of the most fun as well. Socializing is a very large part of life at Baker University because, let’s face it, there’s not a lot of entertainment in a town like Baldwin City, and in putting yourself out there and meeting new people, you’re likely to find some of the best friends of your life and perhaps even your future significant other.
Being on your own for the first time might make you feel pretty independent, but when it comes to entering the college social world, new students often need some advice. Here are a few things you may want to keep in mind:
Even if you’re not into the social scene, let your friends drag you to a few parties anyway. It will give you a chance to meet some of the people you see around campus every day and you’ll realize college isn’t just about studying-you have to make time to have fun, too.
If you do like to party, watch yourself. Remember college isn’t just about meeting members of the opposite sex-you’re here to get an education, too, and if you overdo it, you might end up holding a spatula at Wendy’s instead of a diploma.
Finally, try to avoid being the subject of conversation at breakfast. At a small school like Baker, labels are given quickly and easily and sometimes they take forever to shake. Unless you prefer to be known as the “freshman runaround” or some other choice term, be careful about your behavior. If you’re not, don’t be surprised if the entire campus knows what you did the night before.
Strike a balance, but most of all remember you’re in college-have some fun!
Patrick Lattin
Study Up
Arriving at college provides a plethora of new experiences and, subsequently, new distractions for most students.
As many freshmen focus on a budding social life, perhaps a job, a family, campus activities and numerous other commitments, it seems simple to overlook a major part of college life – academics.
For freshmen in particular, understanding what a college class requires in terms of attendance, attention and preparation can prove to be a tricky task. Each class requires and each professor expects a certain amount of dedication, which varies from course to course.
Freshmen can ensure success in their first year at college in a number of ways.
Go to class! I’m not going to lie and say I’ve never skipped a class, but I’m not a repeat offender.
There’s a reason many professors implement a three-absence policy. Though attending some classes may not blow your skirt up, neither your parents nor you will be jumping for joy when those grades come at the end of the semester with none of the letters in the word “absence.”
Attendance is of great importance, but the fact of the matter is that it’s useless if you don’t intend to do your work.
It may be tempting to devote every night to the happening social scene Baldwin City provides, but it would be wise to take a night off on occasion and study, complete assignments or maybe even get a complete night of sleep. This would probably be best the night prior to a test or major assignment or project.
If you mess up on that one and fail to complete an assignment, don’t make excuses. Professors have heard them before, and they’ll hear them again.
On the other end of the spectrum, I’ve known some students in my day who seem to worry too much about their courses. It’s true that you do need to balance academics and every other aspect of your life.
As classes get going, all freshmen should start to realize what level of dedication and how much study time is required for a successful academic career.
Lauren Shufelberger
Cut Costs
Remember that saying your parents always told you, “Money doesn’t grow on trees?” As hard as this is to say, your parents are actually right.
Incoming freshmen-living on your own isn’t cheap, and you upperclassmen know what I’m talking about, so here are a few ideas to save a couple pennies for a rainy day.
1) Downgrade. Off brands aren’t going to kill you. Whenever possible buy the Equate or Kroger brands. They do the exact same thing and can cost so much less.
2) Take advantage of Baker’s meal plan. It might sound nice to go out to eat, but imagine what kind of money you would save if you limited your spending on food. You already paid for your meal plan when you signed up for the dorms, so use it! If you think you’ll get hungry later, grab an apple on your way out to save for later.
3) Be realistic. I hate to tell you this, but some people have Daddy’s credit card. It’s not a bad thing, but it normally means they have more spending freedom than those of us who scrape up bare change. Know your spending limits and what you can afford, which might not be the same as your friend with Daddy’s plastic.
4) Open a bank account in Baldwin. Save yourself the extra dollars from paying the withdraw fee for taking out money at a bank other than your own.
5) Walk, ride or run. Baldwin isn’t that big if you haven’t noticed yet , so walk or ride your bike or scooter around town or to class. With such high gas prices, only drive your car when you’re headed out of town or car pool to practice with your teammates.
Kirbee Yost
Be dorm savvy
It is very tempting to cram a dorm room with everything from home plus the three carts full of supplies from Wal-Mart, but the best way to make a room look great is to avoid clutter.
When I first moved into my Irwin dorm, I was determined to make it a showcase of pale pink and navy blue. I prepared for every emergency my imagination could dream up and shoved the equipment needed for those emergencies in every space I could find that my roommate was not using. Anybody who knocked anything over in there would believe my new most important decorating rule: less is more.
Try living with the bare essentials for a week, and then gradually introduce a few more whimsical items. Haul the rest home with you on your first glorious return to your hometown. Your roommate will thank you for it.
The bare walls can definitely be depressing, but you can add color without clutter. Slather a few coats of paint on your bulletin board or cover it with wrapping paper. If a bulletin board is not an option, hang up some Christmas lights. Window hangings can be created easily and cheaply from several yards of tulle draped across the window and hooked on wall hooks.
Chad O’Bryhim
Keep Clean
Health and hygiene may be the most difficult adjustments you make during your freshman year. At least initially, every college student is, to some degree, apathetic toward healthy eating habits and general cleanliness. However, you can take proper precautions to kick start a healthy life at Baker.
Hygiene is an up-and-down issue for most students, even into their senior year, but committing to a plan early can leave you with lasting benefits. For athletes and scholars alike, it’s all too easy to skimp on clean ears or trimmed fingernails and go about your day. Take a look at your basic needs and work out your shower habits with your roommate, but don’t forget to account for any specific hygiene needs you have. This last point is key as many freshmen are quick to pick on the kid in their FYE class with lice, but ignore their own stinky feet or stale beer-breath.
My experience has led me to discover the three cardinal principles for a healthy Baker lifestyle: frequent naps, plenty of water and comfortable footwear.
Until you learn your limits, late night parties and 2 a.m. essays will wreak havoc on your body and mind. This is why it’s important to take advantage of every opportunity to nap. Even after just 30 minutes, you’ll find yourself well-refreshed.
In addition, consuming eight to 10 eight-ounce glasses of water each day may lead you to the bathroom a little more often at first, but in a few weeks, you’ll be on your way to a leaner, healthier you.
Finally, comfortable footwear will take your health further than you’d think. The popular choice across campus is the comfortable, versatile and cheap flip-flops to help prevent calluses and keep you walking farther.
Shawnee Barron
Get along
There is always that initial feeling of wonder and anticipation when a freshman first enters the dorms and meets his or her roommate for the first time. Do opposites attract or does one find his or her clone? What if there is no way getting along is an option?
Some choose to go the potluck way, or be given a name from a random selection of roommates. Others choose to room with their best bud. Whichever you decide, some tips may guide anyone who is living the dorm life for the first time, or even the third time, and make those “impossible” roommates bearable.
First of all, remember respect. Not only are roommates going to be around each other constantly, but also one another’s personal belongings. Just remember the golden rule: treat others (and other’s belongings) how you would want (and want your things) to be treated.
Secondly, keep in mind compromise. Remember, it does not always have to be one individual controlling everything-feed off each other’s ideas and listen to one another; one person is not always right every time.
Thirdly, be truthful. Two individuals must tell no lies, as it entirely abolishes trust, no matter what type of lie. Trust is a major component of a friendship, as it is with any kind of relationship.
Finally, but also importantly, have fun. Roommates should hang out and get to know each other, because the most random selection of people could become the best of friends. How would these individuals know if they just went their separate ways?