It’s finally here! Once again, we’ve been knocked to the bottom of the totem pole, but this time, it’s not a big deal. While looking like a major n00b around campus for the first month or so is far from fun, there’s certainly more of a welcoming vibe from the upperclassmen. If you have yet to move in and make your mark in your classes and social circles, read carefully.

Move-In Day can either be a hit or a miss. The worst part is over when you finally chuck the deuces up to your parents as they get back in the car (“Later, guys! No, I totally won’t give in to peer pressure. I’ll def study hard. Love you too!”). Trust me, missing them won’t be as bad as you think. It’s like ripping off a bandaid. Don’t do it slowly or you’ll both cry.

Now, may I be the first to remind you: just because your new friends take full advantage of the free beer and meal plan doesn’t mean you should, too. Keep that cute lil ass of yours in check!

That said, rest assured that everyone is friendly. So be outgoing, Hang out with your God-fearing RA’s rather…um…interesting roomies. Don’t freak out if you don’t instantly click with someone- you’ve got four years to make another impression. And also- this is important!- don’t be weirded out by the idea of tagging along with the crew you meet heading out at the same time as yours. Bigger crews = better fun. By doing this, you’ll make connections for next week as well! Read More »

Yesterday was significant for two reasons: first, because it marked the end of an era in my life, and second, because it marked the beginning of the last two months of life as I’ve known it. Condensed, decoded version of that statement: I am now a high school grad, precisely two months away from move-in day…and I have so much to prepare for. For us, the incoming freshman of the Class of 2015, we’ve got less than a season to primp ourselves, prep our minds, and broaden our horizons enough to give a great first impression on that first day of classes. (And if we plan on rushing a sorority fall semester, that pressure is basically quadrupled.)

Now, as excited as I am to immerse myself in a completely new part of the country and whore my friendship out to anyone who seems halfway genuine, I’m also (understandably) somewhat apprehensive. While I embrace the fact that my classmates will be in the same awkward, n00bish and painfully freshman situation that I will be drowning in, to no degree does knowing this dull my nerves. It’s common knowledge that first impressions carry weight in relationships of any sort. Read More »

Last weekend, Wesleyan hosted a three-day open house for accepted students (and helicopter parents) to get a feel for the school before D-Day (the May 1 decision date, if you’re not in the know). Although I was accepted early decision, I attended the aptly named WesFest on Friday and stayed overnight, meeting fellow pre-frosh as well as current students and experiencing college life first-hand.

Since this was my first experience being completely immersed in college culture sans parental units, I learned a few things about life in college, from the insightful to the unexpected:

1. 11:00 p.m. on weekends is considered “early.” At home, I’m usually up until 1 or 2 a.m., but by 11 I’m in my PJ’s, watching TV and winding down from the day. At that time on most college campuses, the party’s just getting started. And it doesn’t end until the 6 a.m. puking rush begins. Read More »

It’s September 2nd, which means we must tuck our bikinis back in their drawers, slather ourselves in aloe vera, and hang our heads low as we mourn the coming end of summer. This also means that school is starting again, and for incoming college freshmen this brings a whole new kind of dread.

Sure, you’re excited to meet new people, take classes you chose out of your course catalog, and maybe even explore a new city. But there are things to worry about. A lot of them. Maybe it’s that you’re living away from home for the first time, or living across the country. There are more things you need to be prepared for than just athlete’s foot in the communal showers (plastic sandals will take care of that).

As someone who survived four years and two colleges and managed to graduate with all four of my limbs and at least a bit of dignity, I feel I should imbue on you, humble reader, ten important lessons and tips to help you enjoy college safely and happily, from picking classes to surviving alcohol poisoning.

1. Make orientation week count. I skipped a lot of the activities scheduled for orientation week and later came to regret it. I didn’t want to wake up at 9 AM to go on a tour of Boston, but what I didn’t realize is that a lot of people did wake up at 9 AM to go on a tour of Boston and, in doing so, met all those other people who got up at 9 AM to go on a tour of Boston. You’re not going to meet people if you hole up in your room, so go out as often as you can.

2. Taste-test classes. So you didn’t get into that History of Watching TV class you really wanted to take, go to the first class or two anyway. You’ll be amazed at how many people drop out of the class and a space for you may become available. The same goes for a class with a bad teacher. If sucky prof is teaching a general ed class you have to take, visit the same class taught by a different teacher. In my experience, a great teacher can make any class interesting and enjoyable. Read More »