Yup. Some classes will be pretty pointless. But those are the ones where they usually take attendance or do surprise quizzes. So use them as a study period.
Freshman Advice Thread
- Thread starter GingerNinja
- Start date
Yup. Some classes will be pretty pointless. But those are the ones where they usually take attendance or do surprise quizzes. So use them as a study period.
Get involved. ISU is a great place to join groups and experience the college life. I tried to join some type of group every semester and had a blast doing it.
If you want to meet people smuggle in beer and share
Make sure you know where in the hell you are going. I'm ashamed to say I carried a campus map for a little while, but my sense of direction is ****
I would love to be in your shoes! College is ******* fun! Work hard, play hard......always
If you want to meet people smuggle in beer and share
Make sure you know where in the hell you are going. I'm ashamed to say I carried a campus map for a little while, but my sense of direction is ****
I would love to be in your shoes! College is ******* fun! Work hard, play hard......always
Don't let the divey nature and first couple weeks of heat in Helser get you down. My son lived there and loved it, mostly because of the people. Sleep right in front of a fan the first week or two and you should be good.
Also, don't start a dating relationship right away. My kids know lots of people who did this and didn't really make a lot of friends in the beginning because they spent all of their time on a relationship that failed by the next semester. Helps to get to know people in your major for group projects and studying. Their will be plenty of time for dating once you have settled in and made friendships.
Also, don't start a dating relationship right away. My kids know lots of people who did this and didn't really make a lot of friends in the beginning because they spent all of their time on a relationship that failed by the next semester. Helps to get to know people in your major for group projects and studying. Their will be plenty of time for dating once you have settled in and made friendships.
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My "thrifty" son checks out his textbooks from the library if they have them instead of buying them.
I would say don't be afraid to ask for assistance...whether that be from a CA, adviser, instructor, etc. It's ok not to know something, but there are SO many folks who want to help you at ISU.
Also, do what you want to do. Meaning, if you see a student club you want to join, do it! Even if that means going by yourself to a meeting. Also, be careful who you take advice from. If the guy down the hall says, "Skip class! Just read the book and you'll be fine." That person may have a 1.5 GPA.
Also, do what you want to do. Meaning, if you see a student club you want to join, do it! Even if that means going by yourself to a meeting. Also, be careful who you take advice from. If the guy down the hall says, "Skip class! Just read the book and you'll be fine." That person may have a 1.5 GPA.
If you get any chance to travel do it. Don't "wait until next semester/year". Don't let a girlfriend hold you back from going. Travel, and travel often. If people are driving to Iowa City to tailgate go with them. Class option to go to Rome? Find money and go. Once you graduate the only time you have is when you retire.
Don't be the guy who goes home every weekend to hang out with old friends. Family events are fine but your buddy at the community college having a kegger? Don't go back for that. You'll realize real quick your life and their lives are going in different directions.
edit - i failed a math class as a freshman because I hate math and never showed up. I retook it as a senior thinking "hey young freshman girls!" but I really felt like an old loser in that class. So don't skip classes and don't fail classes. Yet your GPA really doesn't matter. Life matter much more.
Don't be the guy who goes home every weekend to hang out with old friends. Family events are fine but your buddy at the community college having a kegger? Don't go back for that. You'll realize real quick your life and their lives are going in different directions.
edit - i failed a math class as a freshman because I hate math and never showed up. I retook it as a senior thinking "hey young freshman girls!" but I really felt like an old loser in that class. So don't skip classes and don't fail classes. Yet your GPA really doesn't matter. Life matter much more.
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Ha, I was in the freshman honors program for a semester...they, uh, didn't invite me back for the second semester. English 250 is lame, but at least you don't have to take another English class until your junior year!
If you know what Engineering discipline you want to do already Eng 101 will seem like a waste of time but it was helpful to fill out a class schedule for your remaining semesters.
I don't know if Lib 160 is still the same but when I took it there was one time you actually had to show up somewhere...DON'T SKIP THE ONE TIME YOU HAVE TO BE THERE.
Not sure if your calc class is a lecture or not, but I'd recommend going for the class that meets 4 times a week (M/T/Th/F) instead of M/W/F with a recitation on T/Th. I took Calc 2 as a lecture and absolutely bombed it, the classroom setting is much better for math IMO.
I also endorse the "don't skip class" mindset. Also, if you don't get something for one of your classes, don't be afraid to visit the professor or TA during their office hours. They'll be more than happy to help you, assuming you've already at least put in the effort to read over the topic in your text book once or twice. (I'm a TA, I know. And if you bug a TA for a simple question you could have answered by opening a book, you're probably going to be put on the s*** list.)
Don't pee in the woods while tailgating. You will get a ticket.
Tailgate. Then actually go to football games.
If you want good grades (and you're not a genius) think of your school work like a full time job. If you're not putting in 40 hrs/week, you're not doing what you need to. Any time beyond that 40 hours is free for the taking - intramurals, partying, etc.
Workout as often as you can. I've never been in as good of shape as I was in high school. Not putting as much effort into working out in college caused more than just a "freshman 15", that I still haven't gotten rid of.
If you get a bike, get the ugliest, nastiest, most functional bike you can find. You want it to work. You don't want it to get stolen. Every penny you invest in a bike U-lock is money well spent. Anything <$40 will result in a stolen bike.
Lastly, TV is a huge time suck. Pick 2 or 3 shows that you can't miss and watch them. Time spent watching any other TV is time you could spend either having fun, or getting better grades.
Don't pee in the woods while tailgating. You will get a ticket.
Tailgate. Then actually go to football games.
If you want good grades (and you're not a genius) think of your school work like a full time job. If you're not putting in 40 hrs/week, you're not doing what you need to. Any time beyond that 40 hours is free for the taking - intramurals, partying, etc.
Workout as often as you can. I've never been in as good of shape as I was in high school. Not putting as much effort into working out in college caused more than just a "freshman 15", that I still haven't gotten rid of.
If you get a bike, get the ugliest, nastiest, most functional bike you can find. You want it to work. You don't want it to get stolen. Every penny you invest in a bike U-lock is money well spent. Anything <$40 will result in a stolen bike.
Lastly, TV is a huge time suck. Pick 2 or 3 shows that you can't miss and watch them. Time spent watching any other TV is time you could spend either having fun, or getting better grades.
All of this has been really helpful so far so thanks for all the help. Is there anything I should be bringing that I wouldn't think I need? Or any helpful advice for moving in?
Try and get a computer lab monitor job. It is a great way to get paid to study or do homework.
Schedule classes you will go to. If you are not a morning person, don't schedule morning classes.
If the cops show up at a party, just set your cup down and don't be a ******.
Schedule classes you will go to. If you are not a morning person, don't schedule morning classes.
If the cops show up at a party, just set your cup down and don't be a ******.
Bring:
Playing cards
Good-fitting ear buds or noise-cancelling head phones
Random medicines like aspirin, Tylenol, pepto bismol, ibuprofen, cough syrup
Rain jacket
Umbrella big enough to cover both you and your backpack (golf umbrella)
Shower flip-flops (warts are a pain to get rid of)
Playing cards
Good-fitting ear buds or noise-cancelling head phones
Random medicines like aspirin, Tylenol, pepto bismol, ibuprofen, cough syrup
Rain jacket
Umbrella big enough to cover both you and your backpack (golf umbrella)
Shower flip-flops (warts are a pain to get rid of)
