Students contemplate first-year experiences

As a freshman, I was thrust into this new world of college, and for the first time I heard my parents utter the phrase, "See you at Thanksgiving, honey."

It was weird to think that I was being dropped off and staying in a room for almost nine months that wasn't in my own home.

I had to get used to hearing people outside my door, living with someone else and being responsible for myself. 

There were many things I learned my first year, aside from the educational stand point, that will stick with me for the rest of my life.

First off, college isn't "Animal House" or "Old School." At least, my college experience wasn't at Indiana State.

Instead, my first year was filled with learning right from wrong, setting my alarm clock, eating Jimmy John's and becoming comfortable with wearing sweatpants to class.

I now know what the sun looks like at 8 a.m. and that snow isn't a good excuse to turn over in bed and miss class.

Being from Florida, I thought every time it snowed, class would be canceled. When I didn't get an email saying class was canceled, I figured I should probably get ready.

Word of advice: Go to class. Even though the syllabus may say one thing, the professors like to go off on tangents, and usually, the tangents will be on the test.

Also, the day before classes started, I went around and looked where all my classes were so that I knew where I was going.

Unlike being a high school freshman, I was able to have the luxury of knowing where I was going the first day instead of standing clueless in the middle of the hallway thinking I'd never learn my way.

Don't worry about what others think and carry that map you're handed during orientation.

I even wrote down the building and room number on my hand every day for a week before I figured everything out.

Try not to get discouraged; everyone is going to walk into the wrong class at least one time, and almost everyone is going to miss something the teacher said the first day.

You're in college to learn and to better yourself so that you may have the best chance of getting a job suited to your interests in the future. No one can do this stuff for you, but everyone on campus is there to help.

 I discovered the helpful resources around campus that are dispensable to all students, even the faculty and staff are (usually) always available. Office doors are always open and whoever is on the other side of that door will usually greet you with a smile and offer their help in any way they can.

This was one of the reasons I was drawn to ISU. There is enough faculty and support staff to accommodate the number of students, as opposed to a larger school in which students become numbers instead of people.

You'll learn your limit of pizza and how late to stay up; I know I did.

Use the brand new Student Recreation Center if you think you're gaining that dreaded "Freshmen 15." 

Meet new people by just saying, "Hi," and participate in activities those days leading up to the first day of school.

I regret not participating in Donaghy Day—a day to provide community service and a way for new students to be introduced to the campus—especially because my parents helped found it when they went to school here in the late 70s.

My first year taught me that college is a small test and a glimpse of what life on your own will be like, so treat it as such.

Make the right decisions and think, "Will my parents like this?"

I know that I had a picture in my head of my mother with her hands on her hips, pointing one finger at me and giving me those disapproving "mother eyes" every time I thought about doing something questionable.

Overall, enjoy your first year! Go to a football game on the weekend, see the Homecoming parade, run through the Fountain (before it gets cold) and just have a good time.

Remember, school comes first and after that comes homework, but after that comes having fun.

Meet people on your floor during moving day and be patient for the elevator (you'll understand in good time).