Hey Freshmen, how’s College Park going. My name is Thang and I took this UNIV100 class fall 2008. It's good that you took this class because it will help you in your transition into college as well as teaching you some useful information and resources. Well my semester came and went as fast as the blink of an eye. It was amazing how fast life past by. Its your first year of college, your transition from high school, your new home for the next four years. When I first came here, it didn’t really hit me that I was in college. Like all freshmen, you will still feel a little isolated because your might not know anyone. If you’re dorming, on the first day when you move in, go out and introduce yourself to everyone. Become friends with everyone on your floor. With your roommate, write up a good contract. I have two roommate because I live in a triple room so we really had to write up a good contract to make sure everyone got their private space. Once you go to class the first few days, you start to realize that its nothing like high school. There are no longer 30 student classrooms but 200 student lectors. There is no more homework but instead only 3 or 4 exams that account for your grade. Make sure that you study and understand the material. I suggest that you get to know your TA and teacher well. Approach them and learn more about their background, research, and interest. It good to become friends with your teacher because later you will need letters of recommendation.
Overall, my advice for you guys is to enjoy yourself. College is that new chance life gives you to start over. Make friends, join clubs, be free, don’t limit yourself. Attend the sport events, the sponsor events, the extra help session. Get your money worth, 20,000 dollars worth of fun and education. Although I say that you should enjoy yourself, don’t forget that you are still in school. Get over your Senioritis from high school and mentally prepare yourself. Go to lector everyday and don’t forget to study for you first mid term. Most freshmen won’t relieve that they are in college till after they get hit by the first midterm. It only after they receive that first D do they start to get serious. Don’t let that happen to you, study and you’ll do fine. Final tip is that you shouldn’t be nervous and scared of college. It a big transition but college is fun. Not only that, college isn’t as hard as you think it is. Just dedicate some time everyday to study and you’ll pass all your classes with ease. There barely any homework at college so you should use the time you usually use for homework to study. Don’t ever leave studying for the last day and cram everything. That will not work. Anyways, have fun but don’t forget about your classes.
