By Jack Siebel, campus ambassador
A flying roller coaster with no track and exploding barrels… that’s basically what my first semester of college felt like. Although that might sound like it comes with bad connotations, it was one of the most open, creative and fun experiences I’ve ever had and it will forever hold a spot in my memory.
My classes, while challenging, helped me realize what I want in life and what I need to get there. My social life had depth and excitement and usually way too many activities for me to sleep. Your next semester will be vital; if not for delving into your major and social life, then for helping you realize where you really need to be.
Here are some ways to turn your college experience around this semester:
1. Do unto your roommate as you would have them do unto you. Remember, you sleep mere feet from them.
2. Do stupid things! I’m not endorsing crime or anything, but staying u playing video games the night of a test, or eating eleven of the cafeteria burgers that don’t really taste like meat? Those are the stupid things college kids do! So go out enjoy your stupidity while the repercussions are small.
3. Don’t be afraid to second guess yourself. If you don’t know exactly where you want to be or what you want to do, relax! More than half of the world is on the same page and no matter what you choose, it’s worth some time and thought.
4. If you’re not satisfied with your campus, think about transferring! If you find out cats make you pee yourself, then Hawaii is the wrong place to be!
5. Set up a system! Always have a system that alerts your roommate if you have a “guest” over and vice versa. That awkward moment where you someone’s genitals are burned in your mind every time you see them? That’s avoidable!
6. Find out how soon you have to choose a major and think about a gap year! I know way too many people who dropped out or transferred because they chose a major too fast and had to switch.
7. Considering doing an exchange to broaden your scope of the world. London anyone?
8. Be social! Everyone you see is looking for a friend just as much as you are; a friendly wave or ice breaker can create a bond that lasts for decades. Read more…
By Jack Siebel
No matter where you go to school you’re destined to meet hundreds of people in your freshman year. Some will be lifelong friends and others will be hated enemies for the next four years. Either way, there are ten people you’re bound to meet no matter where you study.
Here’s your handbook to the herds of strange creatures you’ll encounter in your first 12 months.
1. The Stoner
The Druggie is your local stoner, crack head, roller and alcoholic. There’s many subspecies of the druggie but at least once during your freshman year you’ll meet your universities chieftain — the king pin of drug related activity. They do all the drugs you’ve heard of and a few you haven’t. For some reason, they seem to have no home and you always seem to spot them stumbling through the quad or leaning dazedly against walls all across the campus. The only constant they seems to have is their undying love for a lack of sobriety.
2. The Academic Angel
This is the guy or gal that is hammering their way to a ten year doctorate in brain surgery or intensive psychotherapy or some other doctorate that requires more years of school than it does time on the job. They’re usually pale from all the time they spend in the library and their knowledge of science and math far excels their knowledge of pop culture or sports. Respect this person, one day they’ll be your boss. That, or working at a dominoes to pay off their $200,000 debt.
3. The Buddy!
The buddy is the quintessential college man’s man. He knows everyone on campus and seems to have fewer enemies than Winnie the Pooh. You’ll never see him without a smile and a friend, and if you need something to do his coattails will take you there. He always apparates at parties right as excitement starts but leaves right before it fizzles out. You’ll never see him with homework but he always has his grades in shape. He’s basically perfect. Sure, he probably has some horrible secret in his past but until that surfaces, he’ll be one of the coolest guys you know!
4. The Dream Girl Read more…
By Jack Siebel
We hereby command you NEVER commit these ten party related crimes, no matter how absolutely shit-faced you are. Follow this list and you’ll save your time and your liver.
1. Don’t dance on tables.
But let’s face it, you probably will. OWN THAT SHIT.
2. Don’t be the one to break the window.
They were nice enough to host a wonderful gathering of friendly people and delicious drinks and you repay them with shattered glass and despair? No matter how you play it off, you’re still a dick.
3. Don’t creep.
A smile and a nod go a hell of a lot farther than unexpected grabs and stalker-like movements. That said, don’t be afraid! That cute girl/guy in the corner who’s dancing like they don’t care who’s watching? You know the one you’ve been coyly glancing at all night? TALK TO THEM. DANCE WITH THEM. If the beer can’t convince you, maybe I can. Its college and you’re young, take a chance and thank me later.
4. Don’t steal my drink Read more…
By Jack Siebel
Your first year of college is one of the most important years of your life, and yes, there’s an App for that. In fact, there are tons of them!
Below are ten fantastic applications to help you succeed both academically and socially in a world dominated by technology and speed. Almost every student I know has at least one if not more of these ten apps to help them out during their first year of uni. Personally, I use them on a daily/weekly basis and there’s a good chance you’ll start using them too.
1. CampusBooks, FREE
WHAT IT DOES: CampusBooks has one task: to find the cheapest place to buy books. Although that doesn’t seem extremely impressive, CampusBooks is AMAZING. It will locate almost any book and tell you exactly how to get it for the cheapest price possible.
WHY WE LIKE IT: Textbooks might be the most overpriced thing I’ve ever seen. EVER. That being said, CampusBooks is like the black market of educational literature, giving the user hundreds of options across the nation to buy their books at a (usually) much lower cost.
2. Flashcards, FREE-$4
WHAT IT DOES: Flashcards is an app that lets you, well, make flashcards! It provides users with a sleek and easy way to memorize anything that can be defined or matched.
WHY WE LIKE IT: Not only is the app much smaller than carrying around four or five decks of real cards but it’s also sleek in design and easy to use.
3. AudioNote, $3
WHAT IT DOES: For someone who stinks at taking notes (like me!) this can be the most helpful tool you have. AudioNote records lectures, speeches and basically anything else you want it to! Not all of us can be as pro as The Office‘s Ryan (above).
WHY WE LIKE IT: From experience, I know note taking can be hard, especially if your professor speaks with roughly the same pace of a movie on fast forward. With AudioNote, students can record lectures instead of sloppily writing half completed paper notes.
4. Urbanspoon, FREE
WHAT IT DOES: Are you a foodie? Are you a college kid on a budget? Urbanspoon helps users find the best food at the best prices. It uses professional critiques and GPS to find the tastiest food that’s closest to you.
WHY WE LIKE IT: Isn’t it obvious?? We like it because we like delicious food! College kids are often on a budget, so it’s pretty helpful that Urbanspoon narrows the restos down by price (yes please).
5. Flixster, FREE Read more…
