7 Tips to Make Freshman Year Kinda Cool
By Kelly Kinas ‘17
Helllllo Kelly here!
Okay, so I’ve been searching for a decent college tip list and, truthfully, they all kind of suck. There is a range of opinions and judgmental comments based on a person’s actions so let me put this disclaimer first and forefront.
DISCLAIMER: THIS IS MY OPINION. YOU ARE NOT A HORRIBLE PERSON IF YOU COMPLETELY DISREGARD THESE TIPS. DO YOU, SAFELY IF AT ALL POSSIBLE.
Well now that THAT is over, I had an awesome freshman year. I might have gotten lucky but these next 7 tips are the things that I believe will help you freshman or transfer students and are also not the normal “Do your homework. Go to class” tips.
1. Socialize
This does not mean join Greek life exactly or go drink. This means do not sit in your room every single night this semester. Meet people on your floor, talk to the person in front of you at EVK. People at USC are really nice, or at least like 75% of them are. You’re bound to get a chill person. If you’re gonna stay in and not do anything, leave your door open.
2. Join something that you’re passionate about
Cheesy, I know. But I would not have the close group of friends that I have right now without Residential Student Government. I was not planning on joining RSG; I honestly had no idea what it was. But I got a random USC email that said the application closed that night and I filled it out. Again, this does not mean you have to join something that everyone is in. There are about a million and a half clubs to join here at ‘SC, from the Anime Club to the Equestrian Club to Camp Kesem. Finding a group with people that are passionate about the same thing you are can really make a difference.
3. Don’t buy Chipotle every night
I know EVK (and sometimes even Parkside) sucks, but use your freaking meal plan. For some of you, spending $10-$15 a meal is nothing, but you, sir, are lucky. If you’re like me and made the mistake of spending over $200 on Chipotle last year, just don’t do it. Save your money and pay for like one meal a week, whether at Subway, Chipotle, or Nektar. Your meal plan probably covers unlimited swipes. Use the stuff you already paid for, dude.
4. Be alert when walking about campus
DO NOT be the person on his/her cellphone, listening to music, and riding his/her bike. Great for you for being a multitasker, but you need to be alert so you don’t run into someone. Running into someone on your bike isn’t going to result in finding your true love and riding off into the sunset on his longboard. We may have the best film school in the world but that doesn’t make USC a film set.
5. BE A SMART PROCRASTINATOR
If you have 50 pages of Mobio to read by tomorrow and it’s already 6:30pm, it’s fine to go have dinner with your friends but you still need to get your work done. If you’re going to procrastinate, do something productive with that time. Go for a run to clear your head, organize your schedule for the next week, or call your mom to tell her you’re still alive. You can watch an episode of The Office, not a whole season of Breaking Bad. Just make sure you leave enough time to actually finish the assignment. Don’t procrastinate badly. If you do that, you might as well transfer to UCLA.
6. Have some Cheez-Its around
I know that I said don’t spend unnecessary money, but this is vital. Have some snacks around for when the dining halls are closed and you’re on a roll reading Oedipus because you might need some midnight snacks. Have healthy snacks that you can snag for a good price at the Farmer’s Market every Wednesday (NOTE: Do not buy fruit from Seeds. Overpriced like WHAT). But have some Cheez-Its or chips to nullify your hunger at one in the morning. Water is always available in the dorms so that’s not a problem.
7. BEWARE OF TROGRO
“It’s so handy having a Starbucks right next to the dorm.” Yes, it is convenient. HORRIBLY convenient. I cannot tell you how many times I spent a random $15 at Trogro at 12:30am. You think you’re going in for coffee and then suddenly you’re buying a cheese plate and 3 packs of Easy Mac (Can you tell I like cheese?). This is why you have snacks in your room. Go to Ralph’s or Fresh n Easy when they’re open and stock up for a couple weeks. This will stop the random yearning to go to Trogro late at night. Sometimes a late-night latte is needed for a paper but don’t let them trick you into the Chex Mix and breakfast sandwich as well.
