Survive first year easily and with style
Ah, college. This is the beginning of a journey into young adulthood. The umbilical cord has officially been cut and you’ve been tossed into the deep end of a pool without any floaties.
As exhilarating and informative as freshman orientation is, here are a few nuggets of wisdom to help you survive the college social scene.
First of all, understand that you’re at the bottom of the totem pole. Even the Davidson Academy students, the prepubescent and learner’s-permit-aged geniuses here, have seniority over you.
Any talk of high school, as you will quickly find, is uncool. If you still rock your grade school T-shirts, letterman jackets or anything that says McQueen High School on it, expect to be made fun of, and rightfully so, by students and faculty.
Get to you know your resident assistant. They are an easy source of college wisdom just down the hallway. Plus, if they know you they may be more lenient when they find you handcuffed to a dead hooker before your 10 a.m. class.
Parties. This is where you freshmen normally drop the ball.
For starters, the whole charade of driving up to a party in a caravan of ten cars is lame. Pick a designated driver, preferably the person who has the smallest car, and stuff everyone in.
Now pay attention, this part is important. Your entry to a party is usually a dead giveaway to your class standing.
I find it funny when a group of freshies show up at a party looking like a group of timid meerkats.
There’s usually a scout or an ambassador of the group (some might say sacrificial lamb) who always knocks on the door. Then the scout asks the painful question of whether or not there’s a party going on despite the dozens of cars outside, people with red cups everywhere and music blaring in the background.
Knock once or twice, then walk in.
Now at your first few parties you won’t know many people. To alleviate this, I recommend bringing a prop, or a conversation starter to get the ball rolling. Bagpipes are cool or even a koala bear. Yeah, a koala.
Now, if you’re not from Reno, I have a few quick pointers for you, to ease the transition process.
John Mackay is pronounced John “Mack-ee.” Lawlor Events Center is where all the basketball games are held and it is pronounced “Law-ler” Events Center. Rancho San Rafael Park is where you can go catch the Balloon Races during the first week of September and it is pronounced “Raff-el.” If you mispronounce those, the school mascot Alphie is within his full rights to punch you in the face.
Buy yourself a pair of thermals for the winters here. The extra layer really helps.
Lastly, get out and explore Reno! I will sum up what Reno has in four words: culture, community, adventure and (gasp) seasons. The Reno News & Review is a good place to start to find events and concerts in the area.
You will soon find out Reno is a pretty rad place. We have a beautiful campus, a brand new student union and library and a college experience that is unmatched anywhere else in our state.
The memories and friendships you make here in the Biggest Little City will be with you for the rest of your life so take advantage of this great opportunity and seize the day.
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on Wednesday, August 20th, 2008 at 12:52 am and is filed under Perspectives, Student Life.
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